CX Nats, Non-championship

Verona, WI
USAC CX National Championships, 30-39 Non-championship Wednesday January 04, 2012
by: Kit Cischke

When I heard CX Nationals were going to be in Madison, I figured I really needed to go. How often would I ever get to ride in a national championship race? I fretted about the weather and the timing, about trying to get enough upgrade points to ride one of the championship races and on and on. After being sick for almost all of November, I was really leaning towards not going. But as December ticked away and it wasn't snowing, I felt like it would be as good a time as any. So I sent in my money, renewed my USAC license and tried getting myself ready.

It was great to talk to Mark in the warmup tent and to see so much METAL around. I was proud to fly the flag.

The race didn't go especially well, for all kinds of reasons. In no particular order:

• Not riding hard throughout November and December meant that just about all of my fitness was gone.
• Being sick had me sitting around, eating too much and putting on about 5-6 extra pounds I didn't need.
• I was riding the trainer on December 23 and my front shifter broke. The shop thinks it should be a warranty repair, but Shimano was closed between December 26 and January 2. No shifter for me!
• In lieu of a new shifter, I had the shop put on a single 42-tooth front chainring that proved to be more than my legs could turn over up the hills of Badger Prairie Park.
• I still hate the Challenge Grifo on my front wheel, which slid out twice and helped me become one with the mud during the race.
• I'm just not used to riding in mud anyways.
• My Shimano SPD pedals (and cleats) were so clogged with mud that I couldn't clip in for the last two laps.

I didn't finish last, but I was darn close. I did start, and I did finish, which I will call something of a victory.

I know what I need to do for next year. I'd also like to actually get my Dark Horse built up and ride the singlespeed championship race.

Also, my wife says that I need to look like I'm having more fun when I'm racing. I wonder if the smiles will look like grimaces?