West Chester CX #2

With the MAC series over, I've been looking to fill my calendar with some new-to-me venues in order to keep pushing towards Nationals.  Lucky for me, the PACX series keeps going to mid-December.  This past weekend I headed to West Chester, PA for their 2nd CX race of the series.

I arrived early enough to get in two laps before the first race.  I heard the course had some climbing and that was true.  Some off-camber sections and flowy turns.  But that wind. This was a race that I wanted to hide if I could. Since it was blustery cold, I sat in my car in between races rather than watch.  Oh, and I've now decided it's not necessary to arrive uber-early only to sit in my car (rather than spectate).


I rolled over to the start, noticing how much tape was down from the wind.  A bunch of us huddled together to stay warm since we were out in an open field.
Pre-race huddle - photo by B. White
We lined up, waiting until the 1-minute warning to shed our layers.  The start climbed up a hill and I knew I couldn't blow myself up with the first effort.  We charged up the hill at the whistle and I tried to stay close behind the ladies in front of me.

photo by B. White
I eventually caught up to a group of three in front of me (3rd through 5th place).  Third and fourth place ladies pulled a bit ahead and I stayed on the 5th place wheel going onto the pavement into the wind.  I made a pass and put in a strong effort to catch up to 3rd and 4th place.
photo by B. White
The wind was as sketchy as ever.  On an off-camber section near the pit, I felt the gust grab my front wheel and watched it jerk.  Somehow I managed to stay upright but startled by what happened.
photo by B. White
I was never able to catch the two ladies in front of me.  Riding by myself into the wind definitely took it's toll on me.  I crossed the finish in 5th place.


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