CYCLOCROSS SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!
We headed out last weekend for our first double header cyclocross weekend. On Saturday we headed just NE of Harrisburg to one of the Penn State campuses for Michael's first race. It was hot and dry and a pretty competitive field. Michael did great by holding a top ten position throughout the entire race, and even picking off a few racers on the last few laps. But I have to admit he looked like he was in a little pain. Back to our favorite motto....no pain no gain. Well he must have gained a lot that day with en eighth place finish, earning UCI points.
When I say he must have gained a lot, that is in reference to his superhero performance the following day. We scooted down to Baltimore, after the race on Saturday, to get ready for the Charm City race the next day. This race was put on by Michael's team, C3 Sollay. We ended up staying at the house of one of the organizers. This worked out well, but poor Michael had to get up at 4:45 to help set up for the race.........
Slight side note, Michael has been working mandatory ten hour days for the past month and had reserves last weekend, so needless to say his sleep tank is on empty!
He ended up staying at the venue and Gilbert, Lucy and I met him there around 9:00 am. Michael's race was at 2:30. He did manage to get in about a 20 minute power nap before the race. So at 1:30 he started getting ready, by prepping his bike with Gilbert and then heading out to test out the course before the ladies started their race. He got off to an okay stat in about 8th place with three of his teammates around him. But by about the third lap he and another C3 racer were off the front. They held the lead riding neck and neck until the last half of the final lap where Michael pulled ahead and proceeded to win the race about 200 yards ahead of his teammate.
Yep, that is my husband on the top of the podium...
So the first weekend went well. At times the new logistic of having a baby with us made for a new challenge. But overall it went smoothly and we have a short list of things to do differently for the next cyclocross road trip. It looks like that it only three weeks away, up in Glouster, MA for another double header with UCI points available. Oh and hopefully we will have it worked out so that I can also race. Um, but first I actually have to practice riding the bike. Oh minor details!
And most importantly, we got to stop at the Trader Joe's on the way home. Thank you Baltimore!
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