Leaving the Road behind

GP Quebec, sitting behind the eventual winner

Only joking in the title, though after a long road season, I knew it was time for a break from the tarmac. After a week away from the bike I decided that I would take a swing at cyclocross for the 2018 Fall season. Cyclocross is where I started racing with the local series back in 2011. In recent years my road season has not always allowed me to do a cyclocross season, but as in 2016 I made room for nationals again in 2018.

2013 Cyclesmith CX with Java Blend Racing, Photo: Brianne S.

The first thing I had to do before I could jump into cross for the fall was to not ride my bike for a little bit. I am historically bad at not riding my bike, that’s what my coaches tell me at least. After a nice week off after my trip to Austria for the Road World Championships, I allowed myself to build my new CX bike.

My first race back was the Mahone Bay double header put on by Sweet Ride Cycling. It was a great event hosted by my go to bike shop. Branden C. and Brent M. put the boots to me on day one, both of whom had a great season. I knew after that first race I was going to have to up my game to get on par with those two.

Warm-up laps, Photo: Brianne S.

Luckily my endurance allowed me to get ahead on the second day and take the win. I proved to myself that I may be able to make something of the trip to cyclocross nationals, so I booked my flight that week.

As 'sendy' as I ever get, Photo: Brianne S.

The next weeks consisted of the type of training that I really love. Short rides with lots of intervals, while of course, doing the local races. During this I was also thinking about next road season and getting back into the gym routine. In a typical week I had roughly 10-15 hours, Which I will break down for some of you who may be interested.

Old bike, but sand, is one of many things that still need work

Monday: 1:00 easy ride.

Tuesday: 1:30 Strength (putting emphasis on the use of mobility stretches and foam roller both before and after)

Wednesday: 2:30 Ride + Intervals. 3x (8x 20 seconds @ 90% (25 seconds rest)) Citadel Hill workout.

Thursday: 1:30 Strength (putting emphasis on the use of mobility stretches and foam roller both before and after)

2:00 ride

Friday: 1:00 easy ride.

Saturday: Race Day I – 2:00 of riding with 50 mins of racing.

Sunday: Race Day II: - 3:00 of riding with 50 mins of racing and an extended cool down.

The Wednesday sessions were particularly painful, I would set out with fellow racer Chris A. and we would race each other up the Citadel Hill on every lap. The first time we did this workout we let the racing take priority over the interval session and after just one set we were both unable to continue. I was feeling dizzy and sick after racing him up there each time. The part that makes that session so hard is that the only recovery you get is spinning around and going straight back down then you start again immediately. That would be close to a 1-to-1 session, which is when the work equals the rest. After that first session we decided to stagger our starts by a few seconds to focus on completing the workout as planned.

Look up fun in the dictionary, see this picture

The remaining local races were all really great, and many had some tight battles. The new course in Kentville was for sure a tricky one, and I am happy to say that youngster Calum M. was able to clench his first overall win that weekend. Calum has been on the rise and he will be one to keep your eye on. The absolute mud fest that was the Briarwood race will leave damage for years to come I’m sure. Thanks to all the volunteers at the NSSP for putting on a great series.

Will it ever be the same

As for nationals, I knew that for me to have a chance I would need the conditions be dry and fast which is a lot to ask during the Fall in Canada. I was probably the most upset person in Peterborough when the snow started to come down on Friday morning. There must have been 5 cm at least, and it didn’t help that fellow Nova Scotian, Lorenzo C. was leaving me far behind in the pre-ride. I knew that my chances were taking a hit, but I didn’t come here purely for results. I wanted to enjoy my time and see what I could learn and hopefully have an impact on the race somehow.

No smile on my face, bike didn't like it much either.

The national championships itself was a messy affair. I was on the third row, and got what I thought was a good start. Until Andrew (Lespy) came around me on the outside of the corner cutting a path straight to the front. I slowly started going backwards as I would spend my time pulling away from the people around me on the straights only to hold them up on the technical sectors. Once things settled down and I was hovering around 15th place, I focused purely on trying to ride each lap cleaner than I had on previous laps. There was one corner I could not figure out and crashed every single lap.

Yes, that's the corner.

I ended up 18th that day, after a flat lost me a few places on the penultimate lap. I was more looking forward to the Sunday race as conditions might be slightly more favorable. On Sunday it was roughly the same thing, I was 13th in the end and still managed to never make it through that one corner upright.

Thanks Canadian Cyclist for the photos

I was pleased with my second race on Sunday. Being able to mix it up a bit more with the leaders during first few laps, while taking the opportunity to push my limits a little more and apply some knowledge from racing on the same course the day previous. I learned a lot during that trip, mainly that I really need to get more comfortable handling my bike when things don’t travel in straight lines. If I ever attend another CX nationals in the future, I will need to put more emphasis on the skills required to be competitive.

Thanks Calum M. for the bike, I didn't take care of it

Thanks to Brianne Steinman for the use of her photos.

After that trip I needed a little more rest, so two weeks of relaxing were on the books. Working both at the pool and trying to catch up on school. As I write this now I am in London Heathrow waiting for my connecting flight to Palma in Mallorca. I look forward to starting off my winter preparations for the coming year. After 2 months away, its time to get back on the road.

For anyone visiting Palma, be sure to check out the Nordic Roastery, my good friend Hampus Anderberg has just opened and he has some amazing coffee.

Post ride Coffee's