soCAL CROSS RACE Report by Craig

It was great fun. I'm definitely keen to race one of the OC events
later this month and plan some more CX for next season.

I didn't know what to expect given it was my first ever cross race and
I had slick gravel tires. So I signed up for raced B-grade 35+. I got
there early to get in a couple laps and found my tires were only
slowing me down in a couple loose dusty corners. I though the course
suited my mountain bike background well. Greg Fenton kindly gave me an
old kit so I could look stylish too and represent the team and UC
Cyclery.

My plan was to sit in for the first lap, but on the first climb I
ended up on the front after some others slipped in the dust. I made a
small mistake in a loose corner shortly after, but then hit the second
climb hard to get back on the front. I actually bottomed out my front
tire on the rim on a bump on the climb. From there I tried to set a
consistent pace looking to gain time where my setup was well suited,
tucking in the flats and pushing the climbs. I wished I was game to
hop the barriers, but I think that requires some practice before doing
it on race day.

Greg Fenton gave me time checks at the start finish and I was
consistently putting 15 seconds a lap into second place, so in the end
it was a pretty easy win in the end. Should have raced A grade!

Thanks to everyone on the team for the cheers on course and advice
before the event. Thanks to Dave and all the other sponsors and
organizers that helped bring CX back to San Diego.

Craig