Wilsonville – the nitty gritty

Posted At : October 13, 2008 9:07 AM | Posted By : Erik Voldengen
Related Categories: Bike

Cross Crusade #2 was at a (what will soon be) new housing development.  Apparently, there used to be a mental hospital on the grounds, but that's since been demolished and removed.  It's a perfect place to hold a cyclocross race, because we can tear it up and nobody would care in the least.

However, unlike last week, which blessed us with rain and mud, this week was warm and dry.  And rather than the riders tearing up the course, the course tore us up instead.  I saw a lot of flat tires, and the course was really rough. 

I opted out of the single speed race today because I knew my back would be too tired for a double header with all those bumps.  I did get to ride the single speed, though.

I got a flat tire with about three laps to go, not far past the pits.  I looked back longingly at my spare bike, but rules are rules so I had to hoof it all the way around to the next pit entrance.  I got passed by a lot of people, and that was about it for my race.

I have procrastinated long enough -- new tires going on this week! 

If I make it up to Ranier for next weekend's race, I hope to start to show improvement.  While I've always just wanted to get a top 10 finish, I think just breaking the top 20 some time this season would be nice.  There's always next time.

We had a ton of people show up again - over 1200.  Several races exceeded 100 participants, almost all were over 70.  The "C" race had 154 people in it!  How'd you like to start in the back of that one?

Comments (6)
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Bummer on the flat!
Man I hope you can make it out to Raineir... It is going to be such a sweet course, very cross!
# Posted By Guy Smith | 10/13/08 9:37 AM
I didn't make it last year (went to D-NEE-LAND) but I'll certainly try to make it out this time around!
# Posted By erikv | 10/13/08 10:05 AM
bummer about the flat. I feel your pain. The snake bit me too. Were you on your tubeless? I picked up some hutchison tubeless-ready on chainlove for $13 and rode 'em with tubes this weekend. The rode very well... except for the flat. I was thiking of going full-monty and doing the Stan's treatment to them. Do you still like that setup?
# Posted By stevef | 10/13/08 5:41 PM
Yup, I was running tubeless. But I got hit on the sidewall, so it didn't do much good. Plus the tires are really showing their age and I've got to get some new ones on. Kenda Kommando looks really good for tubeless. We'll see how they work soon!

Read the forums at notubes.com about setting up tubeless on traditional clincher rims. It will work, but you need to use the right amount of rim tape and of course the rim strips. It's pretty cool, and no more pinch flats.
# Posted By erikv | 10/13/08 6:19 PM
Ahem... I DIDN'T FLAT!
# Posted By hugh | 10/13/08 9:57 PM
Yeah...well...I didn't crash! We both finished one lap down, and good ol' erikv still has all the skin left on his legs. Besides, it was a nice day, and I enjoyed my little jog around the race course. It builds character.
# Posted By erikv | 10/13/08 10:18 PM
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