Pittsburgh Cyclocross

Tim Mould Races Wendy Park '10

My first Cyclocross race: Wendy Park, Cleveland OH.

I was a little nervous about my first cyclocross race. Having raced cross country for many years you start to loose the butterflies, but being new, not knowing who you are racing, and hearing how hard the pace is in cross.  I had a belly full of butterflies.  I did not know what to expect.

The horn sounded and off we went.  I wanted to start towards the front to avoid the inevitable pile-up when we hit the sand pit.  I got a good start, I think sixth, we hit the sand and then two barriers, rode about 75 yards of sandy beach, and I was in 5th.

Twisting and turning around the first lap, I was fighting to settle down, the pace was blistering, but I was holding my own.  Half way through the 2nd lap I started to feel better and the guys in front slowed a little.  Two guys on the same team were riding first and second, they slowed and we took advantage.  I am in 3rd and almost redline, but ok.

The guy up front is starting to suffer. So, second place, (Joe Lydic, also from Pittsburgh) and I peg it to get around him. I look down at my computer, holy crap, only 19 minutes have gone by.  I am now riding in second.

We keep the pace up for a couple of laps to drop the 3rd place guy, I am at my max. Joe and I come through the start/finish they say 3 laps to go, cool.  We hit the stretch of beach, which seemed to double in length, climbing off the beach Joe says “that cooked my legs”. ATTACK!!, was the idea, but my legs disagreed.  I got past him. I am in first with 2.5 laps to go.

Heartrate pegged, legs screaming, wiping sweat, snot, and drool from my face.  This is AWESOME.  Coming up the last set of turns Joe says, this could be a sprint finish.  I did not want that.  I poured it on enough to win by about 5 seconds. Yes!!

We finished and made a formal introduction.  I made some new friends and have found a new cycling interest.  I was unsure of Cyclocross before the race.  Unsure if I would like it.  Unsure of how I would perform.  Now, I am pretty sure, I am hooked.

Tim Mould
Pro Bikes

More pics by Ben Stephens on Flickr