Chicross Race #5:  Bartlett

Before Jason K., Jeff and I had a mini reunion in the 1/2/3’s, Jason cracked out a 5th in the 30+ and Jeff got 6th in the 3’s (even though he’d taken every over-the-counter cold remedy known).  I for one, spent my morning sleeping in, drinking coffee, eating pancakes and then showing up in time to massively heckle the 3’s race. 

But, I got my just due during my race when Andrew from Cutting Crew made a few jokes about my ridiculous pain face and Mike Young from XXX Racing accused me of dating the Verdigris fellow I happily drafted for half the race.  It’s all good though, as I’ll put Mike into a tree at our next Tuesday Humboldt Park practice, and Andrew gets a pass for being half of the best race announcing duo in the tristate area and because I also accidentally bit his finger taking a no handed cookie hand up during a warm up lap. 

The only spectacular thing about the 1/2/3 race was Jason giving up 9th place to Dave Norton because he tried to hold hands (some witnesses say it was actually a hug attempt) as they crossed the finish line. 

But as this is my race report, I get to talk about MY race.  I let the small group of leaders go on their merry way when after one lap I was sure I could not hold that sort of pace.  After that, the roadie mentality kicked in and I drafted Tim Boundy for half the race, getting to hear his young daughter yell “Go DADDY!” ever lap we came by, with me in tow as a Daddy Parasite.  With 3 laps to go,Tim pulled into the pit for a bike change.  I picked up the pace, and almost felt bad a few turns later when I could sense his daughter just staring silently at me.

 But that’s cross racing for you.  Better that the young kids of the world learn early it’s a mud in yer eye, attack you during your bike change sort of world. 

 Unless you’re in the 4B race, as my flickr dot com browsing has me convinced is the most fun race of the day.

-andy