As advertised by Mr. Rinestine the course at Hudson Mills Metropark was very fast and roadie friendly. The Wheelmen contingent was on of the largest of the year with first timers Karen McKee, Mark Armstrong and Keith Suhr present. Series ‘veterans’ Matt Thourot, Adam Slough, Paul Staunton, Rick Rinestine, Jon Card, Will McLaughin, John Walter and Jim Sarks were also present.

As usual Jon Card was in the thick of things in the A race, although not positioned for the overall win as usual he still won the 35 and over class. Refer to the picture [top of page] of him and his fellow competitors for a nice shot of a line of riders in the barriers demonstrating the lift and carry. This is an oft debated subject amongst us as to whether it is more efficient lift at each barrier or lift once and carry the bike through the series of barriers. Will also can be seen attacking the barriers.

The B race was very successful for the Wheelmen. Karen Mckee in her first ‘cross race felt that maybe she should do the beginner women (who start at the back of the B group). We talked her into doing the advanced women (starting a few seconds ahead the B group) and she proceeded to place second. Although it was a small women’s field this week she did finish ahead of a couple veteran crossers. In the 19 to 29 group Adam finished on the podium as usual in 3rd place. Matt and Paul finished 1st (Matt) and 2nd in the 30 to 39 crowd. Adam and Paul can be seen attacking the nasty little run-up just before the finish line. There are also shots of Rick and me, each displaying some signs of distress, running up the same hill.

Mark made the race a lot of fun for me personally. After an aggressive mountain bike type start, nearly taking me out (maybe a little exaggeration on my part) , Mark proceeded to disappear from my sight. The small group I was working (sucking wheel) with proceeded to reel him in about the 3rd lap. At this point Mark started working with me helping me to drop the group we were riding with. As painful as this is to admit for a lifelong Buckeye fan to admit, I spent the last lap desperately hanging on to the wheel of a collegiate rider with a big yellow M on his back. After building a nice gap (on the 40 and over guys) in the final lap, I was approaching the final run-up fantasizing crossing the finish line with my arms extended when I was rudely jerked back to reality by Mark charging up the hill passing me at the last barrier before the finish. At this point my vast experience in cross technique (3 races) took over and I executed the remount quicker than Mark and I beat him to the line, placing us 1st and 2nd in the 40 and over class.

The weather up to this point has been very reasonable and I am looking forward to a couple of races in more traditional cross conditions. Cleveland in January anyone?