Morgan Cross Race Report & Photos/Video



Master's Race...Photo by Angie Snoop.

I headed up to Cedar Rapids in hopes of ending my year long stand-off with the sport of cyclo-cross.  I had such a bad time at the one and only race I did in 2010, that I really wasn't sure I would actually line up for any cross in 2011.

I noticed that it was only $5 to enter a second race, so decided to do the Master's Race, and then see what I felt like, hoping to enter either the Cat 3/4 or Men's Open later that day.  I am so far removed from cyclocross that I literally had to look at my USAC licence to see what CX category I am... it said I was a Cat 3.. so I had my pick of three races that day.

I did a warm-up lap of the course, and felt neither encouraged or discouraged.  Lee Venteicher helped remind me that it isn't important to take cyclo-cross too seriously, as I used this perspective to mentally take the pressure off of myself to perform...  Just get out there and have fun competing and exercising.  I was discouraged, however, to see about 40 people line up to compete for the 4 paying spots... they all seemed a bit too 'serious' looking for my preference.

I lined up at the back of the pack and was surprised how fast this race started... I got whacked in the helmet by tree branches trying to hang on... getting held up at the first set of barricades.  I noticed the leaders were already way in front of me... Unfortunately, I also noticed that I was dead last...  I didn't really panic, rather just rode at a comfortable but aggressive pace.  I passed people every couple of minutes... This really is a fun way to race, as there was always a target up the road.  Each time I passed someone I felt energized.

Fellow local blogger Kier James captured some good video of  two of the obstacles...

Lee ended up wiping out right in front of me about midway through the 45 minute event.  His face came within about 6 inches of my wheel.  My reactions were quick and deliberate, as I recieved accolades from spectators who appreciated my ability not to run over his head.

Left: Lee V. navigating the sand trap just ahead of me.  Right: The sand gave riders trouble all day.  Landon Beachy is seen
here trying to dodge the stalled rider ahead of him.

I had no idea what place I was in, but felt secure that I was at least somewhere in the middle.  I was completely shocked to find out that I had actually clawed my way up to fourth place and into a paying result. I never saw the leaders (aside from at the start line) which included Ryan Jacobsen(1st), Jim Cochran(2nd) and Todd Gillihan(3rd). If I had been a little more motivated at the beginning of the race my result may have been higher...  Regardless, my confidence soared and I felt motivated to really step it up for the next race.

MEN'S OPEN (Cat 1,2,3)
I decided to race the 'main event'... the 60 minute Men's Open.  The course seemed to suit me and the temperature was getting hotter, which also is my preference. Somebody mentioned this is a 'roadie course'... not sure if that was meant to be offensive, but I consider myself a 'roadie' and was even further encouraged that I could get into one of the 5 paying spots against this field of 20 Cat 1,2,3 cyclo-crossers.

I lined up at the front of the field  this time, and noticed a certain timidness amongst the field... yes, I could sense weakness and doubt amongst some of the participants. Yet, I didn't really hit it hard from the gun... it seems like guys blow up when they try and get the hole shot... plus, I really don't like having to watch my back the whole race...  On the other hand, dodging around human obstacles creates problems.... it is tricky enough steering through mud pits without having to navigate around racers who wipe out.  I kept track of what place I was in, and found myself in 7th place about half way through the first lap, with plenty of breathing room behind me.

Here is the start of the Men's Open...

I really was feeling good.  There were several straight 'power sections' that I could use to make up serious ground on my competitors.  I also felt encouraged by how strong I was able to run up the staircase obstacle.  Maybe all of those box-jumps and walking lunges paid off.

I kept the race within my grasp and was able to pick off riders one by one throughout the remainder of the event.  I was in third place with about 2 laps to go as I set my sights on the second placed rider.  I gained on him during the 'power sections' and tried to hold my ground during the twisting sections.  I got up on his wheel and decided to execute some psychological warfare by setting behind him for a bit.  I collected some energy, and then passed him in one sweeping motion.  I wanted to get out of his sights quickly, so I didn't have to think about him. 

Unfortunately, I did lose track of the first placed rider about midway through the event, and had no idea how far up the course he was.  A spectator encouraged me by mentioning that I was gaining on him and that he wasn't far ahead.  I did see him eventually, but he had a huge gap and the race was coming to a close.  I focused on staying upright, securing a respectable 2nd place finish.

The HBA guys did a great job of putting on this race, which was very well attended.  I am glad that I decided to compete and look forward to a couple more opportunities to pin on a race number before I close out the 2011 bike racing season.

Results of the Morgan Cross CX race
Oct 9, 2011
Cedar Rapids, IA

Master 35/45/55 single speed
1 Ryan Jacobsen IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
2 James Cochran IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
3 Todd Gillihan CORALVILLE IA Team Skin
4 Chad Bishop MUSCATINE IA American Equity Racng Team
5 Christopher Eastburn CEDAR RAPIDS IA Iowa City Cycling Club
6 Kyle Sedore Des Moines IA Bike Iowa
7 Andy Breitsprecher ELY IA DICE
8 Andrew Peterson IOWA CITY IA
9 Lee Venteicher WAUKON IA Bikes To You / World of Bikes
10 Gary McNabb IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling
11 Michael Edwards IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
12 Stephen Goetzelman IOWA CITY IA
13 Norbert Koenigsfeld CEDAR RAPIDS IA Atlas Cycling
14 Steve Fleagle CORALVILLE IA Mercy-Specialized
15 John Stonebarger IOWA CITY IA MBRC/Bicycle Link
16 Timothy Kennel IOWA CITY IA New Pioneer Food Co-op
17 Henning Gerke IOWA CITY IA Mercy-Specialized
18 Robert Thompson IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling
19 Landon Beachy KALONA IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
20 Karl Rosenberg CEDAR RAPIDS IA Hawkeye Bicycle Assoc
21 Brent Linn SIOUX CITY IA
22 Greg Aronson BETTENDORF IA DICE
23 Mark Beatty WASHINGTON IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
24 Geoff Eastburn CEDAR RAPIDS IA Mercy-Specialized
25 Robert Greigg SIOUX CITY IA Powerada – Independent Fabication
26 JOhn Peters Cedar Rapids IA HBA
27 Phil Curran Davenport IA
28 John Adamson CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
29 Jason Forbes IOWA CITY IA Cross Test Dummies
30 Richard Gilmore WASHINGTON IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
31 Kathleen Porter CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
32 Michael Heffern Cedar Rapids IA
33 Jason Scholbrock IOWA CITY IA
34 Curtis Sawin Amana IA Cross Test Dummies
DNF Mark Considene IOWA CITY IA Goosetown Racing Club
DNF Jeff Barnes IOWA CITY IA Iowa City Cycling Club
DNF Brian Soppe CEDAR RAPIDS IA Hawkeye Cicycling Assoc

I bunny-hopped the log during my second race... tricky because it was
situated at the base of an incline.

Mens Open
1 Joshua Wandrey ANKENY IA
2 Chad Bishop MUSCATINE IA American Equity Racng Team
3 vaughn pierce GRETNA NE Team Kaos-Alegent Health
4 Lee Venteicher WAUKON IA Bikes To You / World of Bikes
5 Michael Miles OMAHA NE Midwest Cycling Community NE
6 Aaron Robnett NORTH LIBERTY IA
7 Kevin Murray LINCOLN NE Flatwater Cycling
8 Landon Beachy KALONA IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
9 Robin Williams IOWA CITY IA Mercy-Specialized
10 Scott Wilson IOWA CITY IA WOB Racing Co
11 Matt Nagel WEST BRANCH IA Q7
12 John Adamson CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
13 Jeremy Cook OMAHA NE Midwest Cycling Community NE
14 Kyle Williams Iowa City IA Iowa City Cycling Club
DNF Adam Ventling URBANDALE IA
DNF evin Tempel IOWA CITY IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Austin Turner IOWA CITY IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Thomas Behne IOWA CITY IA
DNF Derek Cassaday AMES IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Geoff Perrill IOWA CITY IA Iowa City Cycling Club
--- Total 20 ---