POST RACE REPORT
CROSS ON THE ROCK 2010 #1: Coal Cross
FULL RESULTS FOR COAL CROSS NOW POSTED!
Usually our race reports are a detailed BLOW-BY-BLOW of the action of each of our races…..well with the “New Race Day Protocol” that Wendy and I are now following (Called the Tycho Protocol) we really did not get to see as much action as we normally do. SO until we find a new race reporter we will have a different kind of report for you. Less blow-by-blow and more of “other stuff”.
COAL CROSS—ALL TIME RECORD ATTENDANCE
We consulted the Statistics Page to confirm this. Our highest turn out to date was 2009 FSA CUP at Beban Park last year with 102. Coal cross had 105 racers which makes it the new champion for attendance and the second time we have cracked 100. It also completely BLOWS away all the other Coal Cross events. 2006-50, 2007-63, 2008-56. It was a great turn out and a great way to start the season.
COAL CROSS—Course gets great reviews.
The new Curtis Saunders designed Coal Cross course was met with high praise from everyone (that we heard). It had something for pretty much everyone. With Beban Park off the schedule for the first time since 2003 Cumberland stepped it up and not only had a BMX track but also a Whirly Whurl…..nice! There was also a bit of the spirit of Sheldecross with the whoops/pump track section. Those features combined with a nice forest section and some straight power sections had something for every different CX skill. Lisa Ludwig (with consultation from Dave Nowak) was also a great first time race director!
MECHANICALS
The first race of the season always brings things out of your bike that you have not seen for a while….or have never seen. Amoung the mechanicals we saw:
* Flat Tires. Back, Front….both
* Rolled Tubulars. Only heard of one this time….so the glue skills on the island are getting better
* Rear DR torn off. Pretty standard.
* Pedal stripping right off the crank……bummer!
* Shoe SOLE coming right off the shoe. Sole still attached to pedal. Apparently it was quite interesting to watch as the rider knew there was a problem…but could not figure it out for a minute. This rider actually was able to buy some shoes from DCC and race a later race.
* Crank arm falling off axle.
* Busted spokes in the front wheel
* Loose this and loose that….
CRASHES
Some from being rusty. Some from being over-pumped up. Some from less skill…..some the course just came out and smacked you!
* I think it was Ray Wagner that sprained his ankle going into the barriers….I think on Lap1….OUCH
* Wendy reported that she had a great battle going with a Pro City Cycles guy…we think it may have been James Cameron. James would pass Wendy and then crash….then pass her back….only to crash again…repeat. Wendy came out of top of that one.
* Wendy did NOT come out on top when her husband stuffed her into the course tape on turn 3….honest I did not know she was there….but when she yelled at me I found it hard to concentrate on the whurly whurl as I was laughing too hard!
* Apparently Russell Anderson coming back from an early Lap 1 (or 2) Flat was getting “jiggy” in the BMX track showing his “skills”….unfortunately his big air debut will have to wait as he hit the concrete pretty hard on the last jump after trying to X it up….with little more than 2 inches of air….do NOT try this at home kids!
BATTLES
The first race of the season also sets the stage for some season long battles and rivalries which always make the series more interesting and exciting. Amoung them:
* Young 12 year old James Grant VS. Anyone of any age that wants to take him on in Beginner. He beat all comers…..30years old…26 years old….no respect for his elders and we love it!
* Amanda Wakling VS Kristenn Magnusson and Jason Sandquist VS Justin Mark. Both these duos had race long battles that were back and forth…..never separated by more than a few seconds for the whole race.
* Normon Thibault VS Wendy Simms…..I expect there will be a bit of revenge coming my way.
* Peter Stevenson VS Normon Thibault. Peter has the power and the hours in the training log. Norm….I have no clue what I have to bring to that battle except the score: Norm 1. Peter 0.
* Drew MacKenzie VS his deep inner demons…..Drew won this round.
* Dylan Trembley VS Flat Tires….Flat tires scored 2 on the weekend.
* Unicorns VS the evil elves….oh wait that was Dave’s pain medicine playing tricks with his brain.
* Glenda VS Judy VS Salinas. MTB’ers VS the Road Riders. This was a great battle in the beginners women’s category and Glenda’s first victory!
GREAT TURN OUT OF WOMEN!
The girls outnumbered the boys in the Beginner category 9 to 5 and our Open women category put the first BC cup race to shame! MORE Girls. MORE Girls. MORE GIRLS! Drag your girlfriends out or someone that has raced before but has not been for a while……we want a great women’s field! Corey…..Shauna looks like she could kill it out there….she might be a 54 Major Jake…..!!
GREAT TURN OUT FOR EXPERT!
It was great to see Expert with so many people as well. Some from the “gentle nudge” some returnees. Some newbies to expert just up for the challenge. We poured over the results (and you can do the math as well) and do see a couple more people that should consider making the move up….don’t forget you can carry 50% of your points.
MASTERS MEN
It would be nice to see a bit more depth in the Masters Men’s field. SO if you have been racing Intermediate and you are over 35….do some math and see how you would do in the Masters Category. We would like to see the Masters numbers be about equal to the intermediate…..so move around and try it out….we will give you amnesty and carry your points over from race 1 only!! Let us know though.
MOMAR-COTR DOUBLE HEADER
I am not sure the pain was worth the $5 off the COTR entry fee. We did have about 8 people do the double header though. Racing the MOMAR in Cumberland over 5.25 hours and then the cross race on Sunday. GREAT weekend….but I personally can not walk very well today.
THE NEXT EVENT
Is Monday October 11th. Blow off the Turkey! This course last year received rave reviews. Hilly. Grassy. Sandy…all the things we LOVE about cross. Holiday Monday. EASY ride from the Departure Bay ferry terminal for anyone thinking of coming over from Vancouver….flat ride so you could even spin your B bike with you.
Organized by: Trail Bikes-Eatmore Sprouts
Brought to you by the Coucil of Cross.
Race Director: Lisa Ludwig (with special assistance from Dave Nowak)
Course Design: Curtis Saunders
Series Sponsors: KONA, Oak Bay Bikes, Avia West, Howard Johnson, Saltspring Coffee, OAKLEY, Lambert-Lezyne-Pedros, Frontrunners, Action Motorcycles, The North Face, Pro Bar,
Local Supporting Bike Shop: Trail Bikes
Event Sponsors: Trail Bikes, Riding Fool Hostel, Seeds Grocery, Eatmore Sprouts, Colin Wilson, Dodge City Cycles, Dark Side Chocolates, Freaken Coffee Shop, Bodega Ridge Resort, Polka Dot Pants
SPECIAL THANKS TO: To The Village ofCumberland
Our host Cycling Club; Trail Bikes-Eatmore Sprouts
Our Local Bike Shop Sponsor; Trail Bicycles and Jeff Beeston
All our volunteers, marshals and post pounders
Cross Stuff for Sale
1) KONA Major Jake frame, fork and headset. Scandium Frame. 56cm. Team Colours. Alpha Q fork. $600. Norm normont@islandnet.com
2) 58cm Lapierre (Scandium Frame), Dura Ace shifters and rear Derailleur, FSA K-Force Carbon Cranks, and a brand new set of Mavic Askium Wheels. The front and rear derailleur, 105 cogset, brakes, wheels and tires are all brand new. I’m selling it for $2150, no tax. Sean at OBB Oak Bay Bikes [oakbaybikesnanaimo@gmail.com]
3) Oak Bay Bikes in Nanaimo has a SPECIAL on 2010 Major Jakes. Size 56cm and 54cm. Regular they are $2799 On Special for $1799. Last of the WICKED Scandiums! E-mail them at: oakbaybikesnanaimo@shaw.ca OR call them 250-760-0211