cyclocross

Last weekend I experienced my baptism by mud into the lung-burning, leg-searing world of cyclocross at the Vanier Classic, held in Vanier Park and under the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. I got my ass handed to me on a platter in the B Group race, by a group of guys who I'd typically have no problems with on the road. I suddenly remembered why I don't mountain bike as well. Single-track, mud, roots, rocks. Not to mention the barricades and sandpits. I think I ran more than 1/2 of the race, pushing my bike through the trails. Very sad. But I managed to stay rubber side down, which for my first cross race, was a small victory. Even if I was lapped and came dead last.

Award-winning photographer and great guy Greg Descantes managed to capture a few excellent shots as usual.



Note the lack of any competitors around me. I wish I could say it was because I was off the front... More of Greg's shots on CanadianCyclist.com.

This Saturday: BC Cyclocross Provincial Champs. One race should be enough practice, right? May as well get the most out of my Road/Track/Cyclocross license. To note: I'll probably be one of the few in BC to have competed in all 5 major provincial champs this year (Road, TT, Track, Crit, and Cyclocross). Not that I have any results to really show from it, but a small point of pride on my part.