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Shedd Park CX - November 2014



[My pictures of the Masters 40+ race]


Going Back

Shedd Park was my first CX race, two years ago back in 2012. So I went back.

During the pre-ride, my rear brake froze again, so I switched to my pit bike, a Specialized Hardrock mountain bike. It's what I rode back in 2012, so some symmetry there.

I had enough time to swap my camera over, but the mount wouldn't fit on the handlebars so I attached it to the seatpost for a backward-facing look. Given how strong a start I had from relatively far back, I was pysched to see what it would look like from that perspective.

Shedd Park begins with a full lap around a cinder running track. I've found that if you aren't going to get the hole shot (and I aren't), there are a lot of positions to be gained on the outside. So I lined up on the far right of the starting grid, and at the whistle, took off.

By the time we had completed the circuit, I'd passed a lot of riders. As we turned right up the hill, I started sliding backwards like I was on a heavy mountain bike.

Going back, indeed.


Photo credits: Bob Jenney


Oh, and as for that rear-facing video? Not sure what I did wrong, but recording fail.

(To see a forwad view, here's the video from another rider:)


The Numbers: click here for Strava
  • 76 of 84 in the Cat 4/5 field (90% back)
  • Distance: 5.9mi
  • Speed: avg 10.4mph, max 22.4mph
  • Elevation gain: 446'
  • Heart rate: avg 151bpm, max 159bpm