On Point Foundation has had a great beginning with our adventure race team. I followed the team on-line and tried to keep up with the race reports as they pushed on through their 20 hour-long Adventure Race. I felt like I was more excited then they were about how good they were racing. I had not felt that level of excitement since I broke my back. That day I realized I was not going to let them have all of the fun.
I began to research races in Chicagoland area. It is wintertime and the end of the season for most races, but I did find a type of race I had not heard of before, a Cyclo-Cross race. I figured I had a bicycle, why not. I signed up and began training. I say that as if I had an actual plan, when in fact no plan in mind. Ride and train as much as I had time and then race. Not much to it, Right!
I registered on-line for the 4A class, I saw a 4B also, but just thought there was two classes due to the amount of people. I showed up on race day at 9:00 am and I did not race until 3:30 P.M. Apparently, Cyclo-Cross uses a 4A and 4B instead of a class 5 like road races use. After talking to a racer I quickly registered for the 4B.
The racer said that the 4B race is what everyone waits all day to watch. The 4B class is made up of people like me that have never raced before and people who just want to have fun. Cyclo-cross is definitely a spectator sport, I started to believe that the racers only raced so they could be spectators for the 4B class.
I got up to the start line with 75 other racers. One person was dressed in a full turkey suit and another person always races in a Super Women costume. Several people were just on there plain bicycle they owned, like me. Nothing special, matter of fact some racers were wearing hiking shoes, cargo pants, and a button down shirt. That brought back Army memories for me. Role call started, ok now I really felt like I was in an Army formation as I sounded off with “HERE”, when my number 57 was called off.
Several racers in the pack commented on how they hoped they did not get last place again. I thought it was a unique experience as some serious racers pushed their way to the front while simultaneously people who just wanted to have fun pushed their way to the back. Some actual racers just finished the 4A category and just changed numbers and hopped in with us in 4B.
After being herded to the start line like cattle, the race began. I was in no rush to get run over or even worse, run someone else over. I let the majority of the people pass until I felt comfortable racing with the pack in which I fit in with. Well that was the first and last mistake I made. Going up the first hill the person in front of me spontaneously combusted and with no help from anyone he flew over his handlebars. It happened so fast I ran right into him and crashed on top of him. No worries, I quickly picked up my bike and ran to the top of the hill with the pack at which time I mounted my bike, clipped in and peddled no where. My chain was jammed into the edge of my frame. I tried yanking it out and finally got it fixed at which time everyone was out of site. Even the 12 year old child who was racing was way in front of me. Needless to say I was only able to pass 3 people during the next 25 minutes, before the race was over. Thank heavens I was able to pass the 12 year old.
Ok now for the spectator gauntlet part, where every type of bear, food and money was given out to the racers who would participate. Oh yeah, the cowbell, on the registration form it said no to forget your cowbell. Everyone was cheering on the racers all day by ringing their cowbells. There were even two people with megaphones cheering you on as you dismounted and jumped over the obstacle. The first lap I ate a piece of beef jerky from a kid and the second time I got a slice of roast beef, yum yum. I might have had a gin and tonic, if it was offered, hint hint to any coming to the next one.
I finally finished the race as I was about to pass the next person and I finished in 70th place out of 73 racers. I have nowhere to go but up in the rankings. I found some muscles I had not felt in 4 years, but overall I had a great time. My next race is on December 06, 2009 in Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL. This is sure to be just as exciting. Remember if I can do it, you can too.
See You There
Arlen
