In The Crosshairs

Adam Driscoll takes the barriers in stride at Hyattsville CX.

Hyattsville CX took place October 11, 2009, at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. The course featured fast power stretches joined together by technical bits and off-camber turns. Big engines could gap the competition on the straights, those with exceptional skills could catch back up in the technical sections. We caught up with podium finishers to see how they tackled the day. Continue reading »

2. What was the best/worst part of the course?

LINDSAY BAYER (1st Place Women Cat3/4): The best part was the sand pit, because I thought I was going to wipe out every time. The worst part would probably have to be the steep, rickety flight of steps. I love my bike, but I’ve never had the desire to take it climbing.

STEVE FIFE (2nd Place Men Cat 3/4): My favorite parts of the course were the sand pit, stairs, off camber turns, and fast barrier section. Least favorite part of the course was the start. We needed more room to wind up the sprint and would have benefited from the use of the whole road (minus the parked pick up truck).

JAY MORALI (3rd Place Men Cat 4): Best – sand pit was fun!  Worst – the chance of smashing into the brick wall at bottom of hill!

NOAH BELL (1st Place Junior 10-14): Best part was the sand pit. Worst was the stairway to heaven.

KENNETH MORRIS (4th Place Men Cat 4): I loved the “litter box.” I hated the downhill into the brick wall.

CJ CONGROVE (5th Place Men Cat 4): It was pretty epic all around.  I come from a mountain biking background and usually enjoy the more technical cross courses, so the Urban Cross course was perfect for me.  Lots of tight sections and quick up and downs with cambered and off cambered turns, and no long road sections for the physically fit people to make that much time on me.

JAKE THOMPSON (2nd Place Junior 10-14; 4th Place Junior U16): I think the best part of the course was the part where the hill drops you into the wall and if you didn’t hit it you go to the sand pit.

JULIE KULIECZA: Best part had to be all the technical turns, the worst part: the downhill into a brick wall.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: None of it was awful at all, though it certainly seemed a bit “off” on the first pre-ride. Racing it was a hoot though. Worst would be the starting stretch/run-up to the big set of steps. It was bumpy, narrow and oh-so-close to all that concrete and debris. Fun to go through there on subsequent laps. Litter box was a bit unnecessary, wasn’t a natural part of the strange landscape, and only got sand on the drivetrain, wasn’t difficult at all.

Best part was racing in a construction zone! With all the fencing, broken pavement, and other fun stuff. The two sets of steps were pretty cool as they were so fast. Took some focus.

4. Pre-race ritual, warm-up, food, etc.?

NOAH BELL: Eat breakfast, ride the course a few times, eat lunch after race.

STEVE FIFE: I always like to arrive at a cross course before the first races of the day to pre-ride and scope out all of the obstacles and barriers. Then, I relax, eat a Clif Bar, and stay hydrated. Warm up includes 20-30 minutes on the trainer, with a few 30 second sprints to get the legs turning over. 2 GUs before the start, and then line up and go.

JAY MORALI: Peanut Butter sandwich…ride the course!!!

JULIE KULIECZA: 1 hour before 3 laps on open course, get on trainer 25 min easy, 5 min t, 3 min rest, 3 min LT, 3 min rest, 1 min VO2 max, and 2-3 sprints, Try not to ride the course right before your race!! You could get a flat and have to scramble for wheels/ pit bike right before you go off.  I saw it happen on Sunday.

Pre race food/ritual: trying not to barf up the gels I eat before the race… they are so effing gross…

LINDSAY BAYER: I do a half-assed warm up around the race venue, eat a Hammer Gel, and perform a ritual animal sacrifice in my car. Works every time.

JAKE THOMPSON: I generally don’t shower the day before the race, I don’t know why, I just don’t.  I also don’t wear deodorant the day of the race.  For food I eat large amounts of food, preferably pasta, the night before and don’t eat much the day of the race.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Eat breakfast about 2-2.5 hours before hand. Whatever; fried egg sandwich, oatmeal, Nutty Nuggets Raisins & Yogurt, or a donut. Try and get a lap around the course in street clothes. Get all suited up and spend at least 15 minutes on the trainer half- hour before the race, have half a banana 15 minutes before start time, waddle to the line somewhat on time.

KENNETH MORRIS: One lap warm-up at half speed.  A good early breakfast.

CJ CONGROVE: Eat a bagel, poop, do a warm up lap.

5. What is something you saw a newbie do that made you think “I really need to have a friendly word with that guy.” This could have been in a race or in the parking lot or waiting in line to register, etc.

STEVE FIFE: I see people roll to the start line cold all the time, and think it would really be helpful for them to know the benefit of a good warm up.

JULIE KULIECZA: I think I am still a newbie so if someone sees me doing something dumb please tell me.  Pumping tires up to more than 50.  I did say something and they thanked me.

LINDSAY BAYER: I AM that newbie. People are always kindly pointing things out like, “Your number is on backwards,” or “You’re on the wrong type of bicycle” or “You should lay off the brakes in those turns.”

NOAH BELL: A guy ran through the sand pit every lap and on the last lap a guy passed him and he lost a podium spot.

KENNETH MORRIS: I am the newbie!

CJ CONGROVE: I am a noob. I didn’t wear my kit to the podium. Maybe someone needs to have a word with me.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Didn’t have that thought that day cause I was trying to watch out for my buddy JR and jeer him on. And set up “CougarFest!” Usually I’m not that forward to folks, unless it’s some easy fix. But if someone stops by “CougarFest!,” I usually at least check the tyre pressure. [ed. Note: If you want more information on CougarFest!, you are going to have to ask Gunnar. But we are pretty sure it is not this: www.cougarfest.com/ (SFW).]

6. Are you sandbagging? If not, defend yourself. [If you didn't finish first, was the winner sandbagging???]

LINDSAY BAYER: I started riding last summer and this is my first season of racing cross. There are plenty of people telling me to move up now, but also plenty of people telling me to stay where I am for the season and then move up. I’ve put in for an upgrade so I can race in the next class, but in the meantime, I’m staying where I am in hopes of winning a prize that will top the bright pink kneewarmers I won last week.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: I just turned 46. Racing against 35 year old punks? Ain’t always winning either. Ain’t no sandbagging here.

STEVE FIFE: I’ve been racing cross since 2002, and have only ever won 1 race. I’ve placed in the top 10 several times, but feel that until I win a bunch of races, or the overall in a series, I’m not ready to make the jump to the next category.

JULIE KULIECZA: Sandbagger?  nah…. maybe a little last year, but I will give anyone the benefit of doubt if it is their first year of cross and they are doing really well.

JAY MORALI: This is my first year in cross.  I have done fairly well and will be moving up to 3/4 35+ next year.

KENNETH MORRIS: In most races I have been part of, the winner is several seconds or minutes ahead of the field.  Today was not that bad.  It was just 45 seconds or so.

CJ CONGROVE: No, this was my 4th bike race of any variety.

7. Are you racing next week? What will you do differently, what will you try to repeat?

CJ CONGROVE: Yep, Tech Cross here I come.  5th is my best finish yet, so I’m going to try to repeat more than I change.  Not crashing would probably help.  Maybe not rage so hard on the first lap.

NOAH BELL: Yes. Make my turns more shaper. Ride strong the whole time.

STEVE FIFE: No racing next week. The MABRA Cross Series concludes the next two following weekends. The only victory will be finishing out the series with some more good results.

JAY MORALI: Two weeks. Obviously work on my technique!

JULIE KULIECZA: Yes. Faster through corners, less brakes, stay focused and ride my own race.

LINDSAY BAYER: No, THANK GOD. I have my first weekend off since late September. The following weekend I’ll be racing again and will probably just try to do a better warm up and maybe not get lost in the maze of streets around the race venue.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Actually, and this is a rare case during this season, we are NOT racing next weekend. Too far and we just don’t want to travel that much this year.

KENNETH MORRIS: In two weeks at Haymarket.  I will try to handle my bike better.

JAKE THOMPSON: I’m not racing this week (next race Squadra Coppi Tacchino). 

8. Do you have a coach?

NOAH BELL: My dad.

STEVE FIFE: No. I’ve always “coached” myself.

JULIE KULIECZA: Yes, they are awesome…

LINDSAY BAYER: Yes. I work with Alison Dunlap and she is awesome.

KENNETH MORRIS: No, but I have good friends: Eric Dempster, Erik Beatley, and Jon Hicks.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Cycle-Dumb and Team Bi-atch. Those guys are gawds.

9. Is CX your main focus?

GUNNAR SHOGREN: No, racing bikes is my main focus.

LINDSAY BAYER: Not a chance. Cross is an interesting variation of cycling, but I don’t think I could truly love a sport where I regularly get dizzy and crash into tape. Mountain biking is my main focus – the races are longer and less intense and there are trees and deer and squirrels.

STEVE FIFE: I’ve been racing on the road since March, and have had a full season right up until the end of July. I’d love to focus primarily on Cross, but there is so much more fun to be had throughout the year. It is however, one of my favorite things to do all year. It’s over way too soon.

JAY MORALI: It is now!

JULIE KULIECZA: Starting this season it is. It will be my main focus next year as well.

KENNETH MORRIS: No. It is my off-season training tool.

CJ CONGROVE: No, but it is fun.

10. Got a training/racing/life/stock tip you would like to share?

KENNETH MORRIS: I have several injuries from a car accident in 1999.  I was told I would never run again.  After dozens of 5K’s, 10K’s, and marathons I say you are only held back by your desire or lack thereof.

LINDSAY BAYER: Ride each race so that at the end, you don’t look back and have any regrets about not putting in 110% effort. Learn to enjoy suffering.

JULIE KULIECZA: Eat cake and drink booze when you feel like it (not recommended while on the job, but I won’t judge you).  Unless it is your job to race week in and week out you should not deny yourself such delicious things.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Hopefully, you really enjoy riding and racing your bike. If you don’t, then why? Some folks “retire” and walk away from it all. I just don’t like to travel as much that’s all.

STEVE FIFE: Train harder than you race, and the racing will seem easier. Most importantly, have fun.

JAY MORALI: Be safe out there on the road.

NOAH BELL: not really.

JAKE THOMPSON: I’m all for random training sessions, though they don’t happen often for me.

11. Other than race, what do you do?

JULIE KULIECZA: huh?

STEVE FIFE: Hang out with friends and family.

LINDSAY BAYER: Well, I train, I buy bicycle parts, I read about biking, I plan my racing career, I look at bikes…you get the point. I do have a job that is not bike related, but I like to pretend that doesn’t exist.

JAY MORALI: Sales Manager and father.

JAKE THOMPSON: I do homework, eat and mow the lawn.

KENNETH MORRIS: I work for a local telephone company and ride with my friends from my bike club, Winchester Wheelmen.

GUNNAR SHOGREN: Train. Ride bikes. Computer Plumber. Work on our bikes.

CJ CONGROVE: Race motorcycles, ride mountain bikes, shoot videos, surf, work.

NOAH BELL: PLAY BASKETBALL!