Cyclocross Klamath Falls

My cyclocross season has now started. I raced at Klamath Falls on Sunday. I picked up Steve Law in Grants Pass and headed over the mountain on Highway 140. When Steve put his stuff into my car I thought that it didn't look like he had enough clothing. When we got near the top of the mountain and it started snowing he said "What's this?". I asked if he hadn't read the weather forecast. "No. Is it supposed to snow in Klamath Falls?" They had been forecasting snow all week. All my Southern Oregon cycling friends on Facebook had been talking about it. Steve needs to get connected. Lucky for him I had thrown some extra clothes in at the last minute. So he didn't freeze. It didn't really snow at the race but it was really cold.
Here's Steve looking good with my cap and long sleeved shirt on under his jersey.

















I guess I can't delay any longer saying what all my loyal readers want to know. Big Vern beat me again. He bested me on all parts of the course. He was able to push a bigger gear up the longest hill. I didn't have my legs. I couldn't quite catch him.
The course started on an uphill section of grass that didn't look difficult until you tried to ride it. Grass makes a hill steeper than it appears to be. Then some more grass through a couple of switch backs leading to a volleyball court sand pit. I had successfully ridden the sand pit during warm up laps but crashed into the sand on the first lap. I ran it after that. Then more grass and onto an uphill paved road. That's where I couldn't seem to catch Vern. Then downhill on the road to a set of stairs where these pictures were taken. Then onto a dirt trail downhill to an off camber grass downhill to the parking lot. Then along a concrete path with a couple of sets of stairs back to the start. Each lap I would catch Vern at the sand pit but then just hang with him on the uphill and he would get away on the downhill. He was strong. I wasn't.
I was sporting a new jersey advertising Drop Top Amber Ale. At least I looked good.
I rode the wheels with Mavic Reflex rims and Tufo Flexus tires at 26 and 28 psi. Worked fine. I just need to work a little harder.
I'm racing next weekend in Portland. Cross Crusade at Ranier High School. They had almost 1,500 racers last weekend at Alpenrose. I hope there's not that many next weekend. I'm sure I won't do well enough to get any points but the experience will be worth the drive.

Photos by Jamie Douglass