Warwick

Saturday was what is likely to be the last race of the 2007 season. It's been eight months since races started, and it's time for a break. I'm at a slight loss as to what I should do with myself for the next few months.
Starting near the rear of the field I got stuck in the middle of the road with guys blocking my movement to either side in the opening sprint. Looking back as we entered the grass, I could probably have counted the number of guys behind me on one hand. Taylor had found a good line up the right side and was able to move up the field a ways. From the rain and snow the day before the ground was frozen and slick. A few guys were taking spills in the corners, I almost got caught up in one accident. I managed to push hard through the first lap, going into corners as hard as I could while others were looking a little tentative in the slippery conditions. I was able to work through the field quite well, making up lots of ground in the technical areas and in the run-ups. Unfortunately all that work was just to get back to midfield. Had I registered earlier, and picked a good line off the start that energy could have been spent potentially moving from mid-field closer to the front. As it is though, I was really quite happy with my race. I rode solid, had some decent legs, and didn't really make any mistakes. I managed to move up to 34th of 65 in the results for the day. A fitting close to the season really. I took a few shots of the course during the race that followed us, to show some of the highlights of the course. Though, in that race the course was looking far less slick than when we rode. You'll find the pictures here. There are a number of sequence shots to give some idea to the chaos that ensues. I've also got a video posted here. Being the last race, and not having written any really inspiring race reports in a while, I figured it fitting to entertain you with recap to the tune of a Christmas favorite. Enjoy!

'Twas the dawn of a cross race, when all through New Haven
Some bike racers were stirring, they had a big cravin';
The cycles were put on the roof rack with care,
In hopes that in Warwick they soon would be there;
The racers were tired still wishing for beds,
While visions of victory danced in there heads;
And Taylor in his beanie, a grin on my face,
We'd got quite excited for this season's last race.
When off of the highway they raised such a clatter,
Not a street sign in view is what was the matter;
New directions in hand we flew like a flash,
Pulled into the park and threw open the hatch.
The sun on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave excitement to racers ready to go,
Running to registration, we should appear,
We made it to sign-in with eight moments to spare,
Hurry back to the car, we'd have to be quick,
I knew in a moment the race clothes I'd pick.
More rapid than eagles the course we rode once,
Arriving at staging o'er the field we took glance.
"Now listen! Now listen! Forty minutes you'll ride!"
Clipped in and sprinting, Taylor up the right side,
While caught in the middle, I was cursing inside.
Out of my way! Clear a path! On the inside!
As the pack hit the corners with tentative speed,
Some hit the deck, for my cause, helping indeed.
I pushed past others as hard as I could,
To gain more positions, and I knew that I would;
And then, in a scurry, we went through the sand,
To run up the bank with bikes carried by hand;
As I jumped on my bike, more guys I had passed,
Despite my legs burning I was feeling quite fast.
The grass it was icy, I'd avoided a few spills,
The conditions were great for my mountain bike skills.
I poured on the pressure as best I could,
I pedaled past spectators and forests of wood,
Each lap - it was dreadful, yet somehow quite merry.
My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry,
The cold took its toll on my hands and feet,
Tingly and numb in this race against defeat.
So we cranked and we cranked and gritted our teeth,
and the ice it melted as the ground passed beneath;
At last I heard it, the final lap bell,
Finally I thought, that's really quite swell!
So I gave all I had, I knew this was it,
To finish this season with out any regret;
I caught one more guy as I got near the end,
Then drafted him, so less energy I'd spend,
we round the last corner, the finish in sight,
I stood up and sprinted with all of my might!
And passed him to finish this glorious ride,
And that was all for this great season of pride.
Taylor and I headed for clothes and the car,
Quite amazed, since April, we'd come really quite far.
But I thought to myself, as my bike I think cried,
A great season for all, and to all a good ride.