Cape Crankfest

I hadn't done the Cape race on the new course yet, so I was determined to make it down there for this years event. Karen chose to go to the Single Speed Championships in Jeff City, so Casey and I headed down to Cape to get our race on.

It was hot, hot, hot out there!

After a short pre-ride I now understood why people called this course "tight" and "twisty" - wow! I've never been on such a course, much less raced on it. To me, it's one of those that when you're just riding at a casual pace it doesn't seem too hard. But when riding at a race pace, it's a killer! You're always either turning or climbing - very demanding.

I made sure I got Casey ready to go before my race started. Her race started 90 minutes after mine so I was nervous she'd miss the announcement and her start. But, the girl pulled it off and raced very well bringing home 1st place and some hardware. I can't wait for her to race JR next year.

My race went pretty well. I was sitting in 4th/5th place for the majority of the race. On lap 7 I was in 4th and couldn't resist the beach party w/pool in the middle of the course so I pulled over to take the plunge. This was a little refreshing, but the brown warm water wasn't as nice as I'd hoped. It also caused me to start cramping up. The guy behind me passed me and apparently dropped the hammer. Good for him, he saw the opportunity and took it. I saw glimpses of him the next few laps. I even passed him while he was in transition on the 2nd last lap, but then my chain dropped between my cassette and wheel and it took me a few minutes to get it back out. So he went back by me. But once I got back on the bike I finished strong and was glad to be done after 10 laps.

I finished 5th overall on the day. That guy that passed me while fixing my chain got 3rd. So, makes you wonder? But he was looking strong, maybe too strong for me to hold off?!