Bonelli Park

Bonelli park was my first real cyclocross race.

I ended up racing (paranoid and cautiously) in the Mens Cat 4 race, and did pretty well (18/48). I started the race with about 5 at the back of the stage with about 5 other 'newbie' riders - none of us had ridden the course, and none knew what to expect from the pack in a sprint start. The race was 3 laps in a half hour, and it was fun!

I felt so good that I decided to ride in the 45 minute long Mens Cat 3/4 combined race as well. I was less cautious and more tired than I had realized thought in the second race, and paid for it by going down twice in the first lap - It turns out that I was putting out more power than I could control in slippery conditions. Then, on the fourth lap, while drenched in sweat, I went down in the sand pit. I ended the race nearly delirious. It was hard, but good.

And now, for context, two quotes from Calvin and Hobbes:
“Wow, look at the grass stains on my skin. I say, if you knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.”

“There’s an inverse relationship between how good something is for you, and how much fun it is.”

Santa Monicas 2: Recovery Version

Repeated the Santa Monicas today, only with much less climbing and much more flat. After yesterday the Mulholland climb was pretty tough, but otherwise it was a great ride.


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Santa Monicas: Mulholland, Encinal, and Decker

This was a great ride, but Decker Canyon wiped me out for the rest of the day. As I limped around the house, all I could think of was napping, and I only lasted until 7 or so before crashing for the night.


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Before Work Ride

Here's my first serious ride after a two week fire induced hiatus.
It took its toll this morning, but If I keep at it i'm sure I'll do much better!


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