Iron Cross a Weekend of First!

Saturday at 5:30 am it was damn cold out and I was just getting on the road for Carlise, PA to take part in the Iron Cross race weekend. My first race was at 10am so that's why I set out so early. The race was going to be my first cyclocross race ever. You are probably asking whats the big deal? Yes I have done many bike races in the past but cyclocross takes place in a small area and most of the time the entire course can been seen by the spectators. If that's not enough you have to dismount and remount your bike many times as there are barriers on the course that you can't ride over. Here is short video if you want to see an example. It's a great video so watch it even if you know what cross is. I could just envision myself falling on my face when trying to get on or off the bike at the barriers, but thankfully I went over to the Shogren's and got some expert tips out behind their house.

Of course we are talking about me here so I showed up at the race about 20 minutes before the start. By the time I signed in, put on my race kit and got the bike of the top of the car it was time to start. My field (Cat 4/5) was made up of 30 racers, who were all riding some pretty cool cross bikes which look much like road bike but with a little wider tires. I however rolled to the line on my 29er with some 700x40 tire on it. I didn't have time to feel out of place because it was time to race. I wasn't prepared for how fast riders start in cross. My legs were on fire with in one minute of racing but my only concern was the first barrier. Please don't fuck up, I thought to myself.. I am happy to say some how I made it over and it felt good. From then on I was good. I there was no way I could hold the pace but damn I was having fun. The course had a ton of tight turns which I love. Gunnar and Betsy got there just in time to cheer me on the last few laps. Thanks guys. In the end I was 24th out of 30 that started the race. I was happy for my first cross race. I am also total addicted to the sport. I had soooo much fun. I am hoping to follow Team Bi-atch east for DC Cross in two weeks.



After my race Gunnar, Betsy and Chris each took part in their own races. Check out the Team Bi-atch website for there recap. After everyone was done racing it was time to pick out our house for the evening. At the event they had bunk house for the racers to stay in. They where pretty sweet if you ask me after spending most of my weekends camping this summer. The bunk houses had power but not windows and not heat. I was wishing that the houses had windows half way though the night because it was starting to get cold, but then Gunnar kept farting and ventilation was key. Sleep was definitely not easy to come by that night. I should have brought my sleeping bag but instead I just had my regular blankets and I was cold as hell.



Sleep would have been nice because Sunday's event was the reason I came. The Iron Cross was a 63 miles mountain/cross/road race though the hills of eastern PA. Around 300 riders from other countries and all over the US showed up to try their hand at the ultra event. I start the morning with a really needed cup of coffee and a whole lot of complaining about my snoring throughout the night. Sorry! The coffee was good about waking me up after little sleep but it did nothing to claim the butterflies. Thankfully once again the there was tons to do before the race and it left little time to worry, plus Chris, Gunnar and Betsy keep telling me I could do it.

At 9am it was race time. The goal for the day was to finish and to do so I had to make it to Check Point 4 by 3:00 or I would be pulled from the race and not allowed to finish. Again the start was fast but it was it only took me five miles before I told myself to slowdown and ride my own race. Once I settled down I start to get into a rhythm and was feeling great all the way to CP 1. I still had a bottle and a half of water so I kept on cruising and didn't stop at the first check point. From CP 1 to there was a pretty nice section of single track where I passed six or seven people which made me feel even stronger. Things were going great and then I can to the hike-a-bike like none I have ever seen before. It was straight up hill for what felt like a 1/4 of a mile. I could only take 10 to 20 steps before I would have to stop. It was unbelievably hard. Once finally to the top it was another tough mile to CP 2. I made it to CP 2 just in time because I was out of water and needed some food. However CP 2 had other plans. They were out of water! WTF!!! They sent someone off the mountain to get it and he should be back soon they said. It took 10 to 15 minutes before the arrived. In that time I would guess about 10 people passed me because they had on Camelpacks (I cant stand them). I was also loosing time that I needed to get to CP 4 before. I was a little edgy. When it finally came I filled up quickly and was out of there. The course between CP 2 and CP 3 had some really long gravel road downhills. Thank fully I was able to pass a few folks bad on the them. Even though I was getting pretty damn tired it was a pretty ez ride to CP 3.

Once there I asked how far it was to CP 4and they said 5 mile. I could believe them. Most of the time it atleast 14 miles between CP's. Even though it was only 5 miles it was all up hill and pretty darn steep in sections. Then I asked what time it was. It was 1:30, so I had 1 hour and a half to get there so I was off like a shot but my legs hated the climb. It made my brain start to go wacky as my legs. I started to wonder if I could really finish even if I did make it to CP on time and I wasn't even sure I could do that. Even time the course started to go down it was only for a minute before it started climbing again. I was starting to think it was never going to end when I saw a few folks standing in the road. IT WAS CP 4!!! I had made it.. First thing I askedwas what time is it? The older women said it's 2:30. SWEET! I knew no one could make me stop rcaing now so I took my time and filled up on water and ate a ton of crap.

The trail out of CP 4 was a sweet trail section that I would really like to ride again but with a little more energy left in my legs. Then it happen at mile 53. I hit the wall. I was out of energy and there was nothing I could do but try to keep going. THe last ten mile were the hardest miles I have ever done on a bike, but I am happy to say I made it!!!! I finished the 63 mile course in 6 hours and 51 minutes. As I came across the finish line Chris and Betsy were there to cheer me on.. Thanks guys... Here is a link to my GPS info if ya want to see. Saturday was my first cross, Sunday was the longest race I have ever done and it was the first time I have ever done two races in one weekend.. So I am now tried and you can understand why! I going to bed!