OK... I have a small confession to make.
Before I went to bed last Friday night... after I made a few apologies and said a extra few Hail Marys for excessive swearing... I asked God for a huge favor.
I asked for rain in Gloucester... Now, I didn't ask for "rain in general"... I specifically wanted it to rain during "MY" races... And let me tell you, I GOT WHAT I ASKED FOR..
Ummm... where's my bike???? The last time I was on it, was in the off camber section....
It freaking poured.... ALLLLLLLLLLL WEEEEEEEEKEEEEEEEEEND!
Now... despite popular opinion... I'm not a crazy person.
I don't particularly like the rain... you know, those soggy conditions that turn a comfortable pair of bib shorts into a wet diaper that doubles as a sling shot, that will catapult you over the handle bars and into outer space, if you mistakenly hook your shorts on the saddle (like I did in the 2nd lap), during your flying remount....
Wanna watch me fly??? Just wait until I do my flying bicycle remount in my soggy shorts!
For the record... I don't feel any particular attachment to the shoe sucking mud either. It's two faced... as soon as you get comfortable it will quickly rip you off your bike the second you think "you've got this corner". Now that I'm thinking about it... I'm not "attracted", to the sponge like... wheel grabbing grass fields that seem to have magnets straight from hell, much either..
This is my evil devil cat... we are going to grab your wheels and suck you into hell with us!!!
It's like the Klingons and their damned tractor beam... Draining every ounce of energy from your aching legs.
Hey... turn the tractor beam up... Their race hasn't hit the appropriate "SUCK FACTOR" yet.
Ahhh... Yes, now the "SUCK factor" is at the appropriate levels... "Cho oy plvlob"
Nope... I don't particularly care for any of it...
BUT... here's the deal!
I KNOW MOST OF MY COMPETITORS WOKE UP TO THE PITTER PATTER OF RAIN DROPS, THEY WERE TOTALLY HATING THE CONDITIONS ... even more important... I know they're afraid of what the rain is doing to the course!!!
So.... A long time ago I made a decision. I decided to take the totally opposite perspective on things... I have turned the foul weather into my absolute best friend. It is something I hope, pray and yes, even dream for... because it is my greatest ally.
If you want to get good... Really good at the sport of Cyclocross, you better make the weather your friend, not your enemy.
Anyone can race well in dry conditions.... but dry conditions are never a guarantee and guess what, being a winter sport, dry conditions are only temporary.
YOU DON'T want the weather to be the variable that leaves you flopping around on the side of a muddy off camber corner, like a fish that just fell out of its' bowl.
Crap!!! How do I get back in the bowl!!!
So... what do you do??
Welp... 4 things immediately come to mind
1. Start doubling up when you pack (at least 2 sets of everything). If it rains, you'll want to get out of the wet stuff after your pre-ride, to race in a dry kit. Starting a race in a dry kit, is good both physically and mentally.
2. Next time it rains or snows... grab your cross bike and go play in it!
If you don't train in it... you can't expect to race well in it.
If you don't practice in it, how can you ever expect to ride well in it, never mind race well in it... right????
3. "As a general rule"... when the weather goes south... if you race on tubulars... your tire pressure should go south as well. The slicker the conditions the softer the tire pressure for better traction. But always pre-ride the tire pressure you adjust to, and make sure you're good with any change you've made.
4. If you complain about the weather when it's nasty... Odds are, I've already beaten you... and we haven't even raced yet.
I realize I have an attitude problem... but you would too with mud up your your nose!!
What goes on in your head has a huge impact on how it translates into "performance on the bike". Don't kill your race before you even roll to the line.
Since you're going to race in it anyway... learn to love it. If not love it... then at least, make a deal to make friends with it vs. making an enemy out of it.
So...
As you roll to the line in the pouring rain, snow... whatever mother nature is tossing your way.... Embrace it!!!
Once the whistle blows, you will forget the weather... all you will hear are the shouts from friends and family, and the ringing of cowbells.
And afterwards... as you're hosing mud and yes, even a little blood off your legs... you might surprise yourself. You might find that you are silently wishing for rain next weekend...
This is what happens when you make mud, blood and cowbells your friend!
Our next Blog will be a week early, because we have a guest writer, the Ride Bully who I am proud to say, is also my Blue Steel Teammate... so be sure to continue to check in, for what I know will be a good read. See you next Friday....
Have fun out there
Ride Safe!!
Talk with you soon
The Peanut Gallery
