Seneca Creek Cyclocross

Robert G put on this first year event as Seneca Creek State Park in Gaitherburgh, Maryland as part of the SportifCup series. The race was really fun. Course was twisty and put a premium on bike handling, and with 4 dismounts a lap, was thankfully no grass crit! I've only done a few Sportif Races, but a common theme is that they are low key, well organized events. They aren't as grand in scale as the MAC, NECX, or Super 8, but the three races I have been to all offer a nice race, in a low key environment. Pretty much exactly what we were looking for this weekend.

After Holy Week, let me tell you, a  low key local race was very welcomed.

I raced single speed this week, because it's fun, and while I love my Blues, the old Fort still has a little magic in it when I ride it. It's also nice to mix up the competition a bit.  I started a little stronger than I should have, a last second decision on the lines.  Last second changes to strategy never seem to work out for me. I tried to pressure Sean from crosshairs a bit, not sure I succeeded in that, but we I tried. Through the sandpits, I was passed by two riders (chad and chris), and I tucked in behind them, as Sean opened up a small gap. Yup, drafting in a single speed race. Then I flatted.

yup, flatted at the end of the first lap, ran 1/3 of the lap to the pit, got a wheel, and started chase from DFL.
As I ran around the course got a lot of support from folks watching. That was pretty cool. I hit the pit, and just went as hard as I could to get a work out, and pull back as many spots as I could. Playing with house money if you will. I finished exhausted, and pleased. It was a good day for me.

Diane lined up with 15 other cat 3 women. She didn't have a rock star start, but battled into a nice group. She would trade positions through out sections of the course with a couple of riders, battling for 6-8 place. On the final lap, she put in a nice attack and shed one of her compatriots through the sandpit. The Bikelane woman latched on to Monk's wheel and did a great job sitting in on her. In the final stretch, BikeLane jumped her in the sprint. Diane finished a really strong ride. It was a nice day, and best of all, it was great to be home in the early evening and sleeping in our own beds Saturday night...

Been studying a ton, getting ready for my ECON Final on Tuesday night...

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

thanks to Jen and Nick Sears for the pictures.