Hagan Park Cross Race

Sometimes, the only thing that matters is whether you beat your buddy. You can come in at the back of the pack, but when you get home and your wife asks how'd it go? You swell up with pride and say; "Pretty good, I beat Joe." Then it was a good day of racing.

Last Sunday at Hagan Park was one of those days. I went to a neighborhood Oktoberfest party the night before. When I went to bed I was seeing double and the room was spinning. Got up the next morning and if had not been for Colleen, Oz, and John racing I probably would have stayed home.

At the course, Johnny takes one look at me and get's the biggest shit eating grin I've seen in a long time. This is Johnny of BeatsGriffRacing fame. He's feeling good and thinks he's got it in the bag. It's his kind of course too. He pretty much tells me he's going to see me going backward after two laps.

I had a plan though. One I've been planning for a few weeks. Ya see, this was probably my last CX race for the year. CX is John's baby. I'm just stretching out some road racing fitness and having some fun. My last road race was Challenge on Labor Day weekend and I've been watching the fitness fade. I know John will get me if I keep losing form and he keeps building, so the trick is to get out before that happens. It's already been a painful year to have him beat me in Phoenix, at Sea Otter and Leesville.

My plan; ride John's wheel until the end and pip him at the line. I'm somewhat hopeful I can execute this even while hung over.

So this one's for you Johnny. Enjoy! (Actually, it's for me but I feel like I earned it!)