Indiana State Cross Championships

Sunday was the Indiana State CX Champs and the last race in the OVCX series. Over the weekend we started getting our first measurable snow fall of the year, and the forecast for Sunday was showing a high of 25 degrees. I like racing in the snow, but was hoping for a bit more warmth. I was struggling to get my head right on the drive up because I kept thinking about ways to not lose the overall, rather than just taking the same approach I've had for the last few months and just going out there to win the bike race. I still wasn't feeling too confident when I rolled up to the start line, but soon enough the gun went off and we were racin'.


Early in the first lap


I hadn't really given strategy much thought before the race, but when I hit the grass at the top of the first hill in second wheel, I followed Andy Messer for a couple corners and then decided to give it a whack. I wasn't really keen on watching other people attack, so I decided to play my cards right away and see how that went over. I had about 5+ seconds or so going through the start finish the first time. I was in the hurt box pretty good, and thought about waiting for Isaac to get up to me to work with him for a bit. I decided against it, and put my head down to try to stretch the gap. There were a surprising number of fans out to support, considering the temps were so low. I had quite a few people giving me splits around the course, and was able to keep the gap going in my favor for the rest of the race. I actually flatted on the last lap and nearly ate it as I leaned in to take a corner off of the pavement. Luckily the conditions called for low pressure and I was able to limp it in for another victory and the series win on top of that.


Hurting on the road section

There was a nice double staircase run up in the middle of the lap with TONS of spectators waiting at the top. I kid you not, that little section of the course was like a throwback to Cross Vegas. Those guys up there were going nuts. They had Geraint Parry and John Gatch doing the announcing, throwing those two guys into the mix made for a pretty cool atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who came out to support. The 'cross scene in the Midwest is alive and kickin'. Also gotta say thanks to Fowler for bringing me some champagne to celebrate with. I had to wait until I got home to pop the bottle, but it was a good thing I did. When I got home I was going to open it inside, but wasn't sure how the cork was going to react, even without shaking. So I opened the back door and pointed it outside just to be safe. Good thing I did. When I shot the cork off, it went 50 feet out the back door and was still 15 feet off the ground when it disappeared into the night. I hope I didn't put any ones eye out.



In other news, I recently had my eyes opened to Twitter, or Twittering. Not really sure on all the terminology yet. For what seemed like a week, everyone I talked to was either twittering for themselves or following someone else on Twitter. I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start one for myself. I don't really know exactly what I'm supposed to do with it. Kinda seems a lot like Facebook status, but I've convinced myself that it's way better.


Photos courtesy of Harry Clark