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Monstah Cross 2015

Photos by Jeff - of Jeff | Strava | Results | My CX History

Flat course. Only moderately technical. Cold but not bitter. Brutal wind from the west.

Big MacCross turnout--I won't list everyone here because I'd have to go and look it up.

I got a strong start, then began my slow inexorable slide back toward my usual spot. Basically, the CX version of the Peter Principle.

AlanG and I ended up duking it out for the duration. He passed me early-ish, I closed on him by the end of the sand, he powered away on the back stretch, I closed on him by the barriers, repeat five times. (Would have been six if we hadn't have gotten lapped.)

Over the six laps, I passed Alan several times, usually only to be passed right back.

On the second to last lap, he got away. Well, second on the MacGregors podium isn't too shabby. Then, on the front grass section at the beginning of the final lap, I'm approaching a turn and see him off his bike bashing on his handlebars.

(I'd learn after the race that he'd gone down, most likely the victim of an unscrupulous competitor, twisting his bars and turning his shift/brake hoods in the process. SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT to STEVE THE BIKE GUY for helping Alan and then me with some primo field--literally--repairs after the race.)

As I pass, I call out something like "you had me" or "tough break" or "ha ha ha sucker" (I can't remember which). Apparently, the bashing worked, though, as he was quickly back on and closing on me.

I was first through the sand and first up the gravel back stretch. I reached the tree marking the top back of the course still ahead. Good sign, as I had previously gained on him on the gentle down grade, tight swoopy chicane, and barriers that led to the finish.

Remounting after the barriers, I was still ahead, and from there, it was a few short turns for the "win."

Great battle, Alan. Without the crash, I almost certainly wouldn't have come out ahead.

And great first race (I'm pretty sure) for JakeI, DavidW, ChrisS, and PhilM!

Tomorrow, Shedd Park and its better-suited (for me) terrain.


DIEFFENBACH CROSS RESULTS


2015 RESULTS

Race Field Distance
(Mi)
Avg
Speed
(mph)
Max
Speed
(mph)
Elevation
(ft)
Elevation/
Mile (ft/mi)
Avg
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Max
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Cadence
(rpm)
Place Field
Size
Percent
Back
Race
Points
(lower better)
Overall
Rating
(lower better)
Monstah Cross 11/14 Cat 4/5 35+ 7.2 10.7 22.4 194 26.9 161 168 68 50 79 63% 641 585
Plymouth CX 11/01* Masters 45+ 7.5 10.2 20.4 397 52.9 143 155 n/a 22 23 62% 659 563
Plymouth CX 11/01 Cat 4/5 8.6 10.4 23.7 505 58.7 153 160 n/a 65 88 74% 650 563
Plymouth CX 10/31 Cat 2/3/4 7.5 11.1 21.6 380 50.6 150 162 77 42 45 93% 492 554
Plymouth CX 10/31* Cat 4/5 7.5 10.6 22.5 407 54.6 157 169 n/a 61 87 70% 668 554
Orchard CX 10/25 Cat 4/5 50+ 9.1 11.3 21.7 574 63.1 158 167 n/a 28 45 62% 619 566
Fruitlands 10/24 Cat 4/5 35+ 5.6 9.6 17.4 551 98.4 158 174 n/a 47 63 71% 642 560
Providence 10/03 Cat 4/5 40+ 8.7 11.0 29.5 574 66.0 n/a n/a n/a 79 108 73% 633 560
Night Weasels 09/30 Cat 4/5 6.6 9.6 18.6 453 68.6 n/a n/a n/a 83 100 83% 646 560
Gloucester 09/26 Cat 4/5 35+ 4.0 11.6 20.6 272 68.0 n/a n/a n/a DNF 116 n/a 727 560
Midnight Ride 09/23 Cat 4/5 8.6 12.2 22.2 213 24.8 n/a n/a 72 64 113 56% 576 560
Sucker Brook 09/20 Cat 4/5 35+ 8.0 11.6 25.3 279 34.9 155 166 72 54 83 65% 604 566
White Park 09/19 Cat 3/4 9.0 9.9 21.3 564 62.7 152 163 61 55 61 90% 523 568
White Park 09/19* Cat 4/5 9.5 11.2 21.0 558 58.7 157 166 61 46 53 73% 642 n/a
QuadCross 09/13 Cat 4/5 35+ 9.0 11.8 19.5 387 43.0 156 164 n/a 40 62 65% 576 585

*Metrics not included in running total; lesser of two races in a day excluded


2014 RESULTS

Race Field Distance
(Mi)
Avg
Speed
(mph)
Max
Speed
(mph)
Elevation
(ft)
Elevation/
Mile (ft/mi)
Avg
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Max
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Cadence
(rpm)
Place Field
Size
Percent
Back
Race
Points
(lower better)
Overall
Rating
(lower better)
AVERAGE/MAX -- 7.5 10.7 24.2 343 - 45.9 161 176 70 -- -- 75% 634 --
Scrub zone 01/11 Men's B 7.1 9.3 17.7 413 58.2 166 175 66 29 40 73% 549 594
Elm City 12/21 Cat 4/5 6.1 7.8 13.9 361 59.2 161 170 70 24 37 65% 578 611
Ice Weasels 12/13 Beginner 10.2 12.3 24.2 459 45.0 164 171 n/a 48 89 54% 614 611
NBX 12/6 Cat 4/5 6.4 11.5 22.4 128 20.0 161 167 71 90 111 81% 637 617
Sterling 11/30 Cat 4/5 45+ 5.8 9.2 19.7 243 41.9 159 169 62 31 48 65% 620 616
Shedd Park 11/16 Cat 4/5 5.9 10.4 22.4 446 75.6 151 159 n/a 76 84 90% 687 621
Plymouth 11/8 Cat 4/5 6.0 10.6 21.5 318 53.0 160 171 70 68 75 91% 682 621
Crosstoberfest 10/29 Cat 4/5 35+ 8.7 11.9 17.7 128 14.7 162 170 76 46 53 87% 669 621
Orchard Cross 10/26 Cat 4/5 50+ 7.3 10.9 19.2 361 49.5 157 168 69 27 36 75% 608 621
Canton Cup Cross 10/25 Cat 4/5 35+ 9.0 13.2 22.1 384 42.7 161 174 71 72 103 70% 642 628
Cooper River 10/12 Cat 5 7.5 11.6 24.2 100 13.3 162 176 77 41 63 65% 578 615
Whirlybird 10/11 Cat 4/5 40+ 7.4 9.5 16.3 220 29.7 165 172 75 82 96 85% 652 629
Providence 10/04 Cat 4/5 40+ 9.1 11.4 20.6 653 71.8 164 172 70 89 110 81% 672 629
Night Weasels 10/01 Cat 5 40+ 6.2 8.8 17.9 482 77.7 165 175 52 15 22 68% 633 629
Gloucester 09/27 Cat 4/5 35+ 6.5 11.6 21.3 387 59.5 165 173 76 80 108 74% 642 631
Midnight Cross 09/24 Cat 4/5 8.9 11.8 23.9 299 33.6 159 171 n/a 80 102 78% 646 633
Quad Cross 09/07 Cat 4/5 9.0 10.6 16.6 446 49.6 158 170 75 57 67 85% 660 636


2013 RESULTS

Race Field Distance
(Mi)
Avg
Speed
(mph)
Max
Speed
(mph)
Elevation
(ft)
Elevation/
Mile (ft/mi)
Avg
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Max
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Cadence
(rpm)
Place Field
Size
Percent
Back
Points
(lower better)
Overall
Rating
(lower better)
AVERAGE/MAX -- 7.9 11.2 29.5 462 - 58.3 162 180 77 -- -- 80% 655 --
Shedd Park Cross 11/17 Cat 4/5 7.5 11.7 24.4 417 55.6 163 174 83 72 91 79% 679 636
Plymouth Cross 11/09 Cat 5 7.9 12.0 23.3 374 47.3 163 175 82 23 28 82% 643 636
Orchard Cross 10/27 Cat 4/5 40+ 9.1 10.9 21.3 479 52.6 161 176 75 40 47 85% 667 641
Marty Cross 10/19 Cat 5 5.7 10.3 20.8 515 90.4 163 172 75 27 40 68% 580 642
Casco Bay 10/13 Cat 4/5 9.4 11.9 29.5 554 58.9 161 170 77 54 62 87% 660 665
Providence 10/06 Cat 4/5 35+ 7.3 11.3 19.9 436 59.7 n/a n/a 75 94 107 88% 646 646
Night Weasels 10/02 Cat 4 7.0 8.8 17.0 548 78.3 n/a n/a 72 76 92 83% 698 688
Gloucester 09/28 Cat 4/5 35+ 8.8 12.4 21.5 581 66.0 164 180 79 81 108 75% 651 688
Midnight Cross 09/25 Cat 4/5 8.6 11.8 22.6 253 29.4 162 171 72 73 101 72% 671 698


2012 RESULTS

Race Field Distance
(Mi)
Avg
Speed
(mph)
Max
Speed
(mph)
Elevation
(ft)
Elevation/
Mile (ft/mi)
Avg
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Max
Heart
Rate (bpm)
Cadence
(rpm)
Place Field
Size
Percent
Back
Points
(lower better)
Overall
Rating
(lower better)
AVERAGE/MAX -- 8.0 9.6 -- -- - -- -- -- -- -- -- 93% 711 --
Baystate CX 11/24 Cat 4 9.3 10.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 93 97 96% 722 704
Shedd Park 11/18 Cat 4 6.7 9.2 -- -- -- -- -- -- 85 95 89% 699 699