Part of my off season plan is to expand my horizons when it comes to biking. This means spending time with my new mountain bike; both on single track and cruising on the whatever dirt/gravel roads I can find. My hope is that I will find a good way to keep biking this winter without cowering inside to the trainer too much.
Last week, I participated in my first Crazy Bastard Cross ride. The group rides out of Townsend Park about a half hour drive away in Cannonsburg. I heard about the rides through some friends and had been wanting to check it out. The ride starts at 6:30PM so everyone is required to have working lights. The group sticks together for safety and rides gravel/dirt roads almost exclusively.
First, why “Crazy Bastards”? Well, the story goes, “On one cold night ride a driver pulled up and asked us where we were going. "Wherever we want" someone in the group replied. "Crazy Bastards!" is what she said, giving the group its name.”
I showed up just before 6:30 and found a group of about 25 riders. Most riders were on mountain bikes but a few riders were on CX bikes (kind of a cross between a mountain bike and road bike). We started off at a comfortable pace but after 5 miles, a group led my the CX-ers took off separating the pack into two groups. I was determined to hang with the first group. At one point I looked down and was averaging 23mph and still falling off the back of the group. I eventually managed to latch back on to the group.
I spent a large chunk of the ride in the middle or back of the pack knowing that if I got out front, I would only end up cooking myself. It is by far the hardest I have ever ridden in my life. At mile 25, I thought we were almost done when someone announced that there was still over 5 miles to go (ended up being 8 miles). I wanted to cry. haha. My legs and lungs were burning and I was cooked. Thankfully I had a couple of guys to work with and we took turns sucking wheel and holding on for dear life. My legs were still like jelly the next day.
It was a blast though. Riding in the dark was an absolutely amazing experience. While it might sound dangerous, I never once felt unsafe. Because we stuck to the back roads, we saw maybe a dozen cars the entire night. Plus, with everyone’s lights, we are as bright (if not brighter) as a car. I realized that I need some better lights for myself, but with all the lights out there, I didn’t have to worry about it.
Next up, single track. I’ve been both practicing and reading about technique. Stay tuned!
6 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
Matt Smith
October 14, 2012 at 10:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So you get that feeling in your legs too?
I thought that was for mere mortals…
Man, that sounds like you are having a blast with your mountain bike. Way to switch it up once in awhile. You do have a LONG cold winter up there…I would know!
Matt Smith recently posted..All State Atlanta Half Marathon Race Report
Jeff
October 15, 2012 at 9:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Can’t wait to see what you can do on the TT after riding the MTB all off season!
Jeff recently posted..Ironman Mont-Tremblant Nutrition and Predicted Times
Carolina John
October 15, 2012 at 12:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cross? Wow now that’s being adventurous. Good on ya mate.
Carolina John recently posted..Paradigm
lindsay
October 17, 2012 at 10:03 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
hah. cyclist shooting dog. 23mph on gravel/dirt roads? this means a bike like mine, and i barely break 12 mph on mine. i am slow.
lindsay recently posted..sucking wind
Mandy
October 21, 2012 at 10:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey! You are racing today I think?
I wish I had a MTB – sounds like a blast. Except the 23 mph on dirt road thing. That sounds scary!
Mandy recently posted..Mapping It Out…
Ellen
October 22, 2012 at 1:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
If you raced today (technically that’d be yesterday), I hope it went well.
p.s. Remember that time you used to post things on the internet with quasi-regular frequency? That was fun.
Ellen recently posted..Cocobon 2011 California Red Wine (Exclusively at Trader Joe’s)