Todd Field Cross, Saturday, October 18, 2008
From CRCycling
By Kevin
It's great to have races so close to home for a change. I made a quick trip to downtown Willoughby on a beautiful autumn day to do Spin's 'Cross My Heart and Hope to Die race.
The course was similar to last year's. It started on the concrete sidewalk in the center of the park, wound it's way around the ball fields, then climbed the sled hill adjacent to Willoughby City Hall. For many riders (not me, no traction) the first leg up the hill was rideable, it zig-zagged up, down, back up, down to the infield to a 180 degree turn before heading back to a run-up of that cruel sled hill. Unlike last year, the course designers sent the "B" and "C" fields only about half way up the hill, while the "A" field had to climb all the way to the top (maybe 60 vertical feet). The course then plunged down, across the fields, and to the river bank section. Along the river, the singletrack went over a 2 foot log, and through a 6 foot long puddle before emerging back onto the field. The last section of the course went up a 4 foot wall (I had no problem with that) before returning to the concrete.
By the time my race started, the sun was out. I wore shorts, short sleeve jersey, and full gloves, and I was pretty comfortable, even though it was a little chilly.
The start wasn't too fast since the first few hundred meters of the course were flat and wound through many turns. I hung with the field until we reached the sled hill section then I settled into my own typical try-not-to-get-lapped rhythm. I navigated most of the course reasonably well, and got caught on the 2nd to last lap by the race leaders.
I am gradually recalling things I learned last year. For example it's better to smash a big gear through the sticky mud sections instead of trying to spin.
My cleats worked loose after a couple laps, and I probably lost several minutes trying to get back into the pedals 10 times a lap.
This was my most demanding event of the season by far. My entire back was sore after the race.
