Then there is me.....bit of a different take on the whole dressing up thing.....a bit dark some might say ! I don't know who that mime is.....
After a great night with friends and an unplanned trip to the Griz' I was up early and off to the cross race in Aldergrove.
We loaded up and were rolling by seven. Leaving misty Brackendale behind us we enjoyed an amazing morning for the drive out the valley. All week the forecast was for rain, lots of rain so the sun was a welcome surprise ! Wet ground and sunny sky's are perfect cross conditions !!!!
We made it to the venue way early and unlike last weekend I enjoyed a nice course inspection and a solid warm up. The course was again great ! Lots of fun stuff to be had, a run up that was just the right length, the descent was tricky and off camber, the grassy sections were wet and slippery, and it was WARM !!!!
I always feel a little different when I pin a number on my back. Primal instincts perhaps ?
Race report (the super short version): Went out HARD from the gun and led for a time then blew up. Faded to around 7th before making it back up to 3rd. I was riding with an other rider and on the last lap decided I had better make a move to loose him before the finish. So I attacked him at the start of the lap as the first part of the lap was a better place for me to take time I felt. All was going to plan as I was able to pull out a bit of a gap by the top of the run up. Then it all started to fall apart....when I remounted I kicked my rear brake and it jammed under the rim. I didn't notice until I had ridden a little ways. I was forced to stop and deal with the issue. My gap was gone!!!! So plan B. I was a little spent from my effort to get a gap so I decided to sit on and wait for the final straight and make one more effort there. Good plan right ? Well It turns out I forgot the plan and tried too early to get around him and ended up getting pushed into the tape in the last turn and despite my near vomit inducing sprint effort I was not able to get past him. AHHH !!!! So lost the sprint for 3rd. That's my racer boy way of saying 4th takes the edge off....sort of !!
Really...that was the short version !!!!!
One of my favorite things about racing cross is it's done by 11:00 AM and you have the rest of the day to do with as you please ! It was such a nice day I headed for the Beach !
Skipping rocks in White Rock. Chilling. Then of course there was the steak, beer, views and company but I've dragged this one out long enough !!!
'til next time !
Armand
Love the first and the last pictures. Life is good!
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