Coppercross 2007 (Dr.B's True Hollywood Stories)

So the first annual AVA/Counterbalance Coppercross Cyclocross Race went off last Sunday at South Setac park. If you missed it make note of the other races going on at South Seatac this season because it is one of the best courses around. Coppercross was a true test of power and bike handling skill. The occasional 747 flyby breaking the sound barrier is exciting for the kiddies as well.

The course was twisty and loose, and resembled a cross-country mountain bike course which made it interesting for the skinny tires to navigate. The early category races remained dry under overcast skies but rain later that afternoon didn't seem to slow anyone down.

The main spectator feature of the race was the tri-fecta of three consecutive sandy run-ups. It was definitely a lung burner. The last of the three I would equate to running up the cargo net section of the American Gladiators obstacle course with a bike on your shoulder. Yeah, that. For sure. Not to mention the fact that your eating the sand off the cleats of the guy in front of you and trying to breath in order to accomplish the ultimate goal, to stay alive.

As we lined up for the start of the cat 3 race all I could hear was a bunch of bike nerds talking about their tire pressure and weather or not they picked the right tread pattern for the days conditions. I was not excluded from this conversation and am not above it just so you know. I could only wonder what the women in the field behind us were thinking. It was most likely regarding our inability to impress women as a whole. Way to go guys.

As the start whistle sounded I started counting in my head..."1,2,3....30 seconds until the 1/2 women's field starts." I hope thats a big enough gap for me to hold off the leaders....Hmmm, we will have to see. I like setting the bar high early. We ripped through the first few grassy corners and over the only traditional cross barrier on the course. Then it was on to the dreaded run-up sections. So far, no women have passed me 1 min. into the race. Yes. I was able to ride the first run-up each lap which was nice because I could pass the people that would later pass me back on the third run-up. Ha, now what snugglers! Flash forward to 2 min. into the race I'm already going well at threshold and I seem to be passing a bunch of people! What, this is not possibly sustainable. Sure enough a couple of laps tater, feelin good still, I got the honor of stacking it on the singletrack section at the south end of the course and dropped my chain. I was trying to pass a single speeder and went way too hot on a downhill corner, went over the bars, and landed in the blackberries. There goes about 8 spots that ill never see again. Oh well, Im still having fun. How can you not.

Now Im thiking about getting caught by the woman's leaders, and sure enough, busted! Talk about not impressing the ladies. Oh well, there is always next week. I think my tires were runnin a little on the high end pressure-wise. Im sure that was the problem.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you all at the next cross race. Come by the "ier bus" (yay bus) and visit the Bicyclenorthwest.com crew and tell us about your race, and your excuses. You may even score a cold Rainier for your troubles.

Im out.
Nick B. (Some guy that you probably like just because I haven't pissed you off yet)

Just wait.