USGP Mercer Cup Day 1 report

I don't think I will be able to write much before I feel like sleeping, so I'll do a brief report today and a full report of the weekend later.

Today's race went reasonably well considering course conditions and my cold. I got to the race and got my number/chip and then back to the van to get dressed. There was no question about tire choice or pressure - it was Rhinos as low as I cared to run them. Rather than risk loading up the bike with mud in my warmup, I skipped a preride lap and did some sprints on the pavement near the course while the 3/4 women raced. I wasn't really concerned about getting much effort in so much as spinning up the legs to get moving, so the warm-up was kept short.

Onto the starting grid I got to experience the size of my field. With something like 83 there, it was the biggest start I've done. I was pretty much right in the middle, maybe 8th row. Zipped off the tights and jacket and passed them off, and we were away. The start was long and paved, and it was only halfway up the paved section that I heard bikes hitting the ground - luckily behind me, so I just kept pedalling! Into the grass things were good and I was moving up. Through the technical bit I rode right past a bunch of guys who were either running or sliding out. Nice! I was probably sitting top 30 at this point, but once we hit the muddy, bumpy slog through the field I started dropping back rapidly to guys with more fitness. Settled in and most of lap 2 and 3 were spent gaining/losing less than 5 spots. I picked it up on lap 4 and caught a couple guys I'd let go, but of course others had the same idea and likewise passed me.

And that was it... rolled in after 4 laps of about 10 minutes each, and I figured I had no idea how I did. Turns out it was 51st, which is better than I expected coming into the weekend. I'll take it. Tomorrow's goal: top 50 ;)

After my race, I got changed and checked out the Expo a bit. I got a sweet Stanley coffee mug, and got it filled with beer for free (this was part of the promotion). Enjoyed some frites and chicken fingers (ok, not really belgian frites, but french fries).

Then it was over to the pits to see how Alex was doing. I helped him pit for Natasha Elliott, since the pressure washers were hit and miss and half of the laps you had to wash the bike by hand. More of that in the Elite race where I was pitting for Jared Stafford - terrible service at the wash station! What a joke.

Pitting every half lap or every lap at minimum was a huge advantage, a huge advantage I didn't have. So for tomorrow, even though the weather is supposed to be better, I've secured a mix of borrowed gear to use: a bike from Marc Boudreau, and pedals from Natasha Elliott since she's the only person I knew with Looks. Thanks for hooking me up! No more 40 lb bike for the last half of the race.