- Me after my first cyclo-cross race on Cape Cod.
After returning from my cycling escapade in Europe, I immediately settled into my new home in Norwood, MA, on the south-shore of Boston. Within a couple of weeks, I landed a job at the Pallis Chiropractic Center as an assistant in the office. I continued riding, but by September, I put the bike away for a well awaited two week break. Soon cyclo-cross was underway, and New England offered a variety of events every weekend. The leaves turned from green to fiery red and orange to golden and brown. As I found myself establishing my life in the North East, I engulfed myself into the cyclo-cross scene, traveling every weekend to nearby races. Cyclo-cross is a combination of road and mountain biking; a mixture of dirt and pavement, sandpits and barriers, mud and chill. Cyclo-cross involves high power output, and running while carrying a heavy, muddy bike over your shoulders, going up hill. It is the creme-brulee for an masochist; 45 minutes of pure pleasure and pain, on an obstacle course made for a bike.
My machine of 'pain'.
My bike resembles the best “character-building” tool out there! It is a 1980′s French steel track frame, painted bright orange. The bike is a single speed with knobby tires. Aaron built this ‘masterpiece’ for me a few years back for winter training. Now I use it both for training, and to race! Because of my unique bike, I have become known at the races, as the “Lady with the old-school single speed.”
Early this fall, I was attending a race in a town nearby, and talking to a man who used to work for Aaron’s shop, Landry’s Bicycles. He thought I was kidding when I told him I was racing on my single speed, but when I moved to the start line for the call-up, he suddenly took me seriously and yelled, “Wait! Use my bike, it has gears!” I took the offer and with no time to adjust the seat, the race started and I took off, more aggressive than ever and with a tool of gears to assist me in being more competitive. I went from placing in the back to making the top 10! Afterwards, I thanked the man for his bike.
The next weekend was a UCI event in Northhampton, 2 hours away. Aaron had the day off, so we drove up early in the morning. Aaron rode his fixed gear bike, orange like mine, and I observed him as he stayed in the middle of the field. He was aggressive and smooth in his dismounts. He made me more confident about my race as I was very nervous about competing against national champions and top Canadian riders, on my single-speed.
Aaron busting through the sandpit like a pro.
So, I let my fears go and turned into a determined monster, battling on the turns, not letting a soul pass and fighting my way around other women. Once I fell, my tire slipping on a steep hill, but I pulled myself up and ran my bike up the hill. I finished strong, near the back, but very proud for staying with the field and finally letting the tiger out of the bag. I had finally realized, that even with one speed, I could be just as aggressive and competitive as the other racers. I should NOT let my equipment become an excuse for my performance.
Weeks passed, and more races; more mud and chill. The bike became heavier to lift as I ran up the hills, but my legs were feeling stronger and my confidence growing. Each time I fell, I scrambled up and kept going. The bumps and bruises would all heal as I receive chiropractic treatment 3 days a week at my office. On that note, I would highly recommend chiropractic treatment to anyone who wants to improve their overall health.
This past weekend was my best race yet, as I was able to stay in the top 6th position until the final lap when I endoed(over the handlebars), when my front tire went into what appeared to be mud, but was in fact a hole. I scrambled up but my back screamed in pain. “Good thing I get adjusted tomorrow!” I thought. Two girls passed me, but I made my way around the technical but last lap. The course included tight turns, roots, ice, a steep decent with a steep and icy run-up, barriers on a hill, and a sand-pit. This course had everything! But I finished 10th, very stiff from the fall, but very proud of my result as I had done this on my single-speed!