Indy Cross #2 Traders Point Race Report

Ok, second cross race of the year is in the books. And, the result was a bit better than Brookside two weeks ago.

Before the race report, I have decided that while I enjoy cross and want to do well, my focus for the fall will be preparing for the Gravel Grovel at the end of November to try to garner the best possible result in that race.  This means a focus on progressively longer rides over the course of the next few weeks, along with hill repeats. But the cross races will still remain on the menu.

This weekend was the second race of the new Indy Cross series. This replaced the now defunct Indiana Cyclocross Cup, but is focused on having races in and around Indianapolis. Four of the races are held at the Traders Point Hunt Club (different course each time) which is a large venue with plenty of room for a variety of course types. The fifth race is held at the Indianapolis Cycloplex. 

I missed the first race of the series due to the trial, but immediately signed up for the second. Saturday dawned windy and cool, with a race time temp in the mid 40’s.

There had been a bit of rain in the preceding few days, so I tossed on some mud tires as a precaution.

 

As it turns out, there was no mud, and at worst, the course had a few tacky spots.   Thanks to my early registration, I got a call up in the 2^nd row, one of the first 16 riders.  I was in good company. Immediately to my right was Aaron Lifford, and in front of me were Paul Gilson and Cary Schein, to 40+ mountain bike regulars in the DINO series.

At the whistle, we took off and I immediately lost some ground. I’m just not a huge fan of the fast group starts like that.  The field spread out and I began to set into a decent pace.

Fantastic start photo provided by Dark Eagle Studios.



And a view from the pack at the start thanks to my bar cam.

The course itself was fun. The start was flat and actually went through an open horse barn (although called the Hunt Club, the venue is actually a huge horse riding facility) and then into a twisty section around some trees which lead to a fast decent and more twisties, including several tight off camber turns and straights, which led to the barriers. After the barriers was a grass climb to the top of a low ridge, then a fast descent down the same ridge, and then (surprise) we climbed the ridge again.

Photo: Dark Eagle Studios

The course then bombed down a long gravel road straightaway (down the ridge line again), a few twisties and then a nasty steep climb up a ridiculously steep hill. A few more off camber sections and a short climb before dropping below the ridge line and then a long straight away up the ridge line to the finish. So lots of climbs, which suited me just fine.

The climb to the finish.
Photo: Dark Eagle Studios.

 Anyway, the first lap was rough. Heart rate soaring (Garmin said 196 which is the highest it has ever recorded), dealing with traffic, and the steep hill at the end was a run up due to traffic. I had no doubt lost some places, but it was still early. Late in the first lap I found myself going back and fourth with Adrian F., a soon to be DINO Cat 1 rider and another DINO rider named Greg. We went back and fourth for most of the rest of the race, with the two of them getting gaps on the descents (Adrian was on his mtb) and then me catching up on the climbs.  In the meantime, we all continued to pass riders.

The steep hill mentioned above  was mostly being run.  I almost rode to the top twice, but spun out near the summit. The other times I hoofed it up.

Bar cam still of the climb up the big  hill. Most opted to walk.

The last lap I finally got by Adrian, and set my sights on Greg. On the last climb up the ridge, he was going slower than I wanted (the course had been narrowed by some Shamrock Cycles shenanigans, so there was little room to pass) and I yelled out some encouragement, namely how I have seen him in the DINO races and I know he is faster than that.

Probably should have kept my mouth shut, because he picked up the pace, and despite my best efforts I could not get past him before the end of the race.

In the end I finished 21^st out of 57, following a nice charge up the final hill which saw me pass a few riders. I was hoping for top 20, and as it turned out, I missed that goal by a matter of feet:

 

So close....another 20 feet and I would have been top 20.

 Still, I felt good about the race. The early call up certainly helped, and I think if I had been a bit more aggressive at the start, I would have gained a few places.  Also, there were instances where I was a bit too conservative, i.e. not passing someone and opting to sit on their wheel for longer than I should have.

LATE BREAKING NEWS (10/8/14, 3:10 pm): I checked the results which were posted on USA Cycling and Cross Results and it looks like I was bumped up to 19th in the wave. So top 20 goal accomplished. Time to retire.