Sprinker Cyclocross

Since I was on the west side for the weekend, I raced at Sprinker yesterday. What a fun course. It was soaked from a couple of days of raining. The weather was perfect for racing. The tight turns got slicker and the off camber turns got greasier. Several racers rushed headstrong into the sand pit only to fly head first over their bars. (I decided running through the sand was best.) I entered the men's masters 55+.

 My brother, John, yelled at me to smile for the photo.

 I felt strong the whole race and had my best ever finish.

I must have repressed the horrible sight I saw because I don't remember what it was. Maybe a foreshadowing of what was to come.

My last lap was marred by a crash on the asphalt. We had a long section of trail followed by asphalt. I was drafting off a rider while on the trail. After we got on the asphalt I cranked it up and passed him on the right. Unfortunately for me, there was a small corner of grass section in my way and it was in the middle of a slight right turn. My front wheel hit the edge and slid out from under me. My skin slowed me down. I was still far enough ahead of the other 55+ riders that I didn't lose my place in the standings.

Afterwards I went to the medic tent and got my wounds cleaned and dressed. You should've heard the collective, "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," when this was revealed. I also have road rash on my right arm and my right knuckles look like there were held against a grinding wheel. I won't be sleeping on my right side for a bit. The rash I can live with. The most irritating thing is the chunk of fingernail that was torn off. I can't type, touch, or pick up anything without aggravation.

But looking at the bright side, I came in third place.