Trek CX Cup 2022

Two days.  Two races (in 16 hours).  Two friends.  Same course.  

Let's compare:

First race on Friday: Cat 4 (all ages); Second race Saturday morning: 45+ Cat 4/5

1st: 50 degrees; 2nd 35 degrees (um, brr)

1st: 30 minutes (actual race time 40 minutes WTH); 2nd: 30 minutes (actual 32 minutes)

1st: 120 racers (5th row start for me, 7th for George I think); 2nd: 29 racers (more in 35+ and 55+ scored separately) (1st row start for me, George had a second row start in the 55+) (Bryan C. started in the Cat 4 race right after ours)

1st: Finished 55th; 2nd: Finished 10th

1st: dry and dusty course; 2nd: frosty grass that slowed things down (but not as much as expected)

1st: 1 crash (a slide out on the off camber dust); 2nd:  no crashes (at least I learned something from the day before)

1st: Number of guys who passed me because of the crash: 11; 2nd: Not applicable

1st: 0-5 number of times I cleared the rock wall; 2nd: 3-4 (And I woulda made the 4th time but the guy in front of me stalled)

Total number of flyovers both days: 27

Weird mustache guys on course: 1

1st: Lap where my legs blew up - 3rd; 2nd: None (Didn't go into the red at the start and kept it steady all race)

1st: People at the Secret Bar > dozens; 2nd: Zero > Too damn early (For the World Cup race Sunday there were hundreds)

1st: Did I finish strong? No.  Chased the same Eliel sponsored guy for 2 laps and was 2 seconds behind at the finish; 2nd: Yes, took the final 180 turn 100 meters from the finish behind a guy.  He went wide and I went tight so we were head to head by the time we straightened out.  We sprinted and and I beat him.  Kinda like getting a birdie on the 18th hole.  Made the day worth it.

1st: Lap times >  7:49, 8:09, 8:03, 7:57, 7:49; 2nd: 8:12, 8:03, 8:17, 7:58.  Excited that the last laps were fast. (Again, same course.  Legs were tired the second race)

1st: Avg HR > 168; 2nd: 161 (The lower second day is a combo of being tired, early morning [7:30am start], and colder temps)

It is a great course for amateurs.  The pros raced on the same course Friday but the harder version on Sunday.  

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