Marty Cross 2015!

qclabrat said:
Just did my pre-ride, first time, two laps and yes it was hard
@Norm was right, SSCX makes no sense for guys like me

Parked in the small lot near the White House as I wasn't aware of the larger lot further down the road. Wasn't sure of the direction to travel so hopped on and went counter clockwise, I went hard to start as everyone recommends, but had to dismount a walk the first significant hill. About 1/2 way are the only obstacles, two of them. I've been practicing dismounts and it surprising worked well without a hitch. Though getting back on wasn't as smooth. Coming back down are some switchbacks which I'd imagine will get clogged a bit during a race. It was pretty tough and wondered if I was going the wrong direction.

After trying to catch my breathe and trying not to puke. Yes, I felt like puking after a pre-ride. I gave it a go in the opposite direction. First half seemed easier and only had to get off once after my legs gave in and gravity took over. Then I saw the obstacles and notices they were not dressed with the Maxxis logos and till then was sure clockwise was the correct direction of travel. Then the second half of the course assured me I was certainly going the wrong way. The switchback were I quit the first time was much tightened and the down hills were longer.

Both ways were fun and doable even on an SS, but at a race pace and how many laps for a CAT5? I'm probably doomed had I registered. I'll miss the morning races and was really looking forward to seeing the CAT5 race. Good luck to everyone on Sunday with a little rain the course should be even better. I took some pictures but I'm thinking it probably frowned upon by the organizers.
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Counter clockwise is correct, good catch with the Maxxis banners on the barriers.
 
Just out of curiosity, why do the W's Elite racers not have their own separate race? All the other NJBA races this year have had separate starts. Not only is the W's A field larger than the Men's A field, but it is arguably more talented at the front end.
 
Delish said:
Just out of curiosity, why do the W's Elite racers not have their own separate race? All the other NJBA races this year have had separate starts. Not only is the W's A field larger than the Men's A field, but it is arguably more talented at the front end.
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Not to mention the fact that they're gonna be dealing with the men's 50+ race being on course at the same time. I was thinking the same thing.

Gotta give the thumbs down on this one. The Women's A race should be a stand-alone.
 
ChrisG said:
Not to mention the fact that they're gonna be dealing with the men's 50+ race being on course at the same time. I was thinking the same thing.

Gotta give the thumbs down on this one. The Women's A race should be a stand-alone.
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I will chime in for Marty's and say we just are following the 2015 Standardized Race Start Order on the NJBA page. This shows 50+ 60+ Women 123 as staggered starts.
 
Reg'd!
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Off the bike for a few weeks and closing in on 190lbs. CAT 4 should be an appalling reality check. Hoping for massive mud or maybe snow to rescue me from DFL
 
That was a great course- one with some challenging climbs and not just a grass crit! Also, excellent event organization- I received the results via email ~15 min after.

I may be biased as I live in NJ- but the NJ courses just seem much more interesting/challenging than the PA ones. IMHO- best course yet this year.
 
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Well... that was a tough one! Had a great introduction to this cyclocross thing. I can see why there's a following and I'm looking forward to getting a real bike at some point. I ended up getting lapped about 3 guys ahead of me so I finished on that lap. Ended up 49th out of 56 starters. Super hilly course so I'm hoping to do better next race. My recovery time after climbs is appalling, so I'm hoping to do better elsewhere. Good to chat with @Norm for a bit, ran into @pearl , and finally met this @The Heckler guy. Fun times. See you all the next two Sunday's!

p.s. Thanks for that fig newton hand up on my last lap, fig newton hand up guy!
 
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1sh0t1b33r said:
Well... that was a tough one! Had a great introduction to this cyclocross thing. I can see why there's a following and I'm looking forward to getting a real bike at some point. I ended up getting lapped about 3 guys ahead of me so I finished on that lap. Ended up 49th out of 56 starters. Super hilly course so I'm hoping to do better next race. My recovery time after climbs is appalling, so I'm hoping to do better elsewhere. Good to chat with @Norm for a bit, ran into @pearl , and finally met this @The Heckler guy. Fun times. See you all the next two Sunday's!
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Did you do cat5, how many laps was that? Also what are the next two events
 
Followed up on my 5 lap CAT 4 beating with a road ride where I hit the mother of all bonks and had to stop about 1/4 mile from my car and bum a goo pack or die.

One good reason to race cross even when I know I will be close to DFL. I don't know any other way for me to average 97% max HR for 45 minutes.....

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qclabrat said:
Did you do cat5, how many laps was that? Also what are the next two events
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Would have been 4 laps, but I got lapped about 3/4ths of the way through my 3rd/last lap. May have went different on a flatter course, but then again those fast guys could just be ever faster. Next ones I'll be at is BubbleCross and Westwood Cycle CX up by me.
 
1sh0t1b33r said:
Well... that was a tough one! Had a great introduction to this cyclocross thing. I can see why there's a following and I'm looking forward to getting a real bike at some point. I ended up getting lapped about 3 guys ahead of me so I finished on that lap. Ended up 49th out of 56 starters. Super hilly course so I'm hoping to do better next race. My recovery time after climbs is appalling, so I'm hoping to do better elsewhere. Good to chat with @Norm for a bit, ran into @pearl , and finally met this @The Heckler guy. Fun times. See you all the next two Sunday's!

p.s. Thanks for that fig newton hand up on my last lap, fig newton hand up guy!
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good thing is, most other courses you do will be better / less hilly than marty cross. SO IT ONLY GETS BETTER FROM HERE!
 
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