Reflections on a Season Passed

Brutal.  Savage.  Humbling.  Humiliating.  These are some words that come to mind when I think of my first ride with the Frites en Mayo guys.  Subsequent practices exposed my only two weaknesses:  bike-handling and fitness.  The other guys rode me into the ground.  And even though I was embarrassed to finish so far behind them, they always pointed out the best ways for me to learn the essentials of 'cross racing.  In short, they were all good coaches and good teammates.  And now they are good friends.

Enough with the sappy backstory.  Time to reflect on the racing season.  My first racing season.  Definitely NOT my last.  I'm hooked.  I love the camaraderie, the effort, the women's races (God they look good...), the free beer, you name it.  There is nothing I dislike about racing cyclocross (except the sandbaggers in the 35+4 category). The promoters are usually cool (especially Adam from Alpha Cycles), the venues are typically challenging without being too savage (except for the 10mile loop designed by Tom Hall), and the racing is always entertaining.

So what did I learn this year about racing?  Lots.

1. Racing 'cross is nothing like racing a criterium.  In a crit, the riders start out at a reasonable pace and ramp up the speed for primes and the last 5 laps.  In 'cross, the race is 100% ON from the beginning.  I have never, and I mean NEVER, suffered like that to finish so far behind.
2. I learned not to use old parts on a 'cross bike.  The last two races for me ended with a broken chain and a broken pedal.  Both items were old and heavily used.  Cyclocross was too much for them and they simply broke.  So use new or gently used parts on your 'cross bike.   
3. This is an expensive endeavor.  The bike was pricey.  The entry fees get a bit pricey.  Clothing gets pricey.  Bike cleaning and maintenance gets pricey.  Beer and food for after racing gets pricey.  Be prepared to drop some cash.
4. Never think that just because you are fast in a straight line on a road bike that you will somehow be fast on a 'cross course.  You are going to suck on a 'cross course if all you've done is ride flat paths at high tempo.  'Cross racing is one interval after another.
5. Start the race as hard as you can.  I learned this the hard way.  I usually started easy and got stuck behind about 2000 other riders.  Better to sprint at the start of the race and try to get ahead of as many riders as possible.
6. Never, never, never, take this more seriously than it is.  Its 'cross racing and at best you are going to win a box of Clif bars or some Stan's No Tubes.  There's nothing at stake here.
7. Always watch Danny Summerhill.  This guy is amazing and he's only 20 years old.  He may someday win a world championship.  And he's a nice kid, too.
8. Always, always, always watch the women's Open category.  These gals are super sexy and can lay a beat down on most of the guys.  My favorite category.
9. Warm up on the course.  And really warm up.  Make sure you're sweating a bit during the warmup.
10. Hydrate.  Lots of water.  More than you think is necessary.  Cyclocross efforts take a lot of energy and the water loss is astounding.  This surprised me the most.
11. Study the course.  Find your lines, places you think you can pass, and places that will give you trouble.
12. Bring beer and snacks for after the race.  You will have many friends.
13. Always offer a "beer handup" to Boups.  It will make him laugh and he will still finish in the top 15 in the Open category.  Unless its muddy.
14. Use Stan's Tire Sealant in your tubes.  This stuff works like magic. I'm even using it in my road tubes.
15. Always yell "Major Taylor" during the call-ups.  It never fails to get a laugh.
16. Ditch your Shimano SPD pedals.  These things are earth carriers that fail miserably when the conditions are wet.  Time ATAC pedals seem to work much better.
17. Practice running, dismounts, and re-mounts.  If you can do this better than the guy in front of you, he won't be in front of you for long.  And, its such a simple thing to practice.  No major effort involved at all and the gain during a race is immense.
18. Don't race the 35+4 category at States no matter how cool the course is.  There will be around 90 people there and all of them are super fast (i.e. sandbaggers).
19. Support your team and the other riders.  This may be something as simple as ringing a cowbell, playing the snare drum, or offering handups.  It goes a long way and everyone appreciates it.