Race Report - B Team Superprestige Final at Aldergrove Lake

Yesterday was the last race of the season for most Vancouverites and it was at Aldergrove Lake Regional Park.

When I woke up at 630am, it was pouring. When I was packing my car at 730am, it was still pouring. When we were on the highway at 830am, it was still pouring. When were near the race site, heavy rain turned into drizzling. and when we pulled into the parking lot, the rain stopped. Within half an hour, the sun started to come up and play. When it was time to race, the yellow lenses stayed in the case.

The good people of Vancouver Cyclocross Coalition altered the course from the previous years. It was still a hilly course but it was still fun. I raced the Beginner race and it was only a 30 minute race. When the starter signaled the start, I found a guy and drafted behind him for 1/4 of the lap then I attacked on the first hill. I did alright and drafted behind another guy before the second hill. The second hill was a little tricky, narrow, steep and slippery. 1/3 of the way up, I had to get off to run. With the bike on my shoulder, I ran up the hill. Then it was followed by a descent before heading up the final hill. I decided to attack the hill because I knew that I will have a break after that. My heart was racing and I got out of the saddle and forced myself up the hill. I was beat and feeling my heart as I approached the summit. I quickly placed my hands at the drop and prepared for the descent. The descent was grassy and twisty and I successfully made it down. A few more turns, my first lap was done.

The second lap wasn't so spectacular. I did alright for the first 1/4, then I started to die. Probably because I had no one to draft behind. But the time I reached the slippery ascent, I was tired. I got off the bike and walked up and raced down the hill. I noticed one of my competitor needed to walk his bike down. I quickly asked to see if he was okay before getting ready for the another ascent. I was tired and I walked up at the 1/3 mark. I was getting tired and I was praying for a gear lower than my 36x28.

I started my third lap tired, but I still pushed myself because I know a rider is getting closer to me. Although the rider passed at the first hill, I didn't give up even I was beat. At the slippery ascent, I got off and started my walk. One of the rider said to me,' Hey man, you are at a race, don't walk. Run!!." As he said it, he was struggling and he was just walking. I started to run up the hill and felt my heart rate started to increase. Still I ran up.

I got back on the on the bike and flew down the hill because my rear brake was only able to slow me down.. That's fine, I thought. I will just go faster. at the Final Ascent, the rider that passed me earlier got the bike and started to walk. I had no idea what happened to me, but I decided to down shift and attack. I got out of the saddle and danced on top of the peddles. from being tired at the beginning of the lap, I was able to recover and attack.

Soon after that, I crossed the finish line and the my 2014 season was done. I didn't finish last this time.

For 2015, I will either upgrade to intermediate, or I will do the beginner race in the morning and the single speed race in the afternoon.