Macon Cyclocross

by Trish Albert

Race: Macon Cyclocross 
Date: 11-2-2003 
Place: LH Thomson Factory, Macon, GA 
Speed: 11.1 mph 
Time: about 48 minutes 
Distance: about 8.9 miles 

The Macon Cyclocross Race was held at the LH Thomson Factory. Thomson is known as a manufacturer of high quality seat posts and stems. Controversy started off the first race of the Georgia Cyclocross series. Despite paying for a USCF official, one never showed up. Race volunteers did an excellent job of keeping up with the results and races under the circumstances. There are several miles of mountain bike trails on the property. Rob Derose, the organizer, originally had a forced dismount downhill and some singletrack, but the Masters riders protested that it was too technical. After a little debate, Rob took out the offending section. Riders were left with a fast, fairly nontechnical cyclocross course that race leaders covered in approximately four minutes. It started out on the road in front of the factory. The course then turned sharply left, went down a hill, turned quickly right to a short off camber section, and then up the first run up-a steep, sandy hill. The course came out into the grass field, went by the pit, and turned into a smooth doubletrack section in the woods. It came back out in the field, by the pit on the opposite side, and over a set of barriers. After quick ride along the pavement, the course jumped a curb and then forced a dismount over a small creek. It finished on the same road that it started on. 

Ten women lined up, a new record for the Georgia Cyclocross Series. This year is going to be the most competitive ever with several Cat. 2 roadies and Expert mountain bikers beginning the journey towards loving all that is cross. The big question is will anyone be close to Lisa Randall? Lisa has proved herself to be the woman to beat in cyclocross in the Southeast. Competitors this year include Cat. 2 roadie and former Expert mountain biker Kim Sawyer, who is coming off a strong year with the first year team Roswell Velo/Nalley. Esther Davis (Outback), another Cat. 2 rider, is also very strong on the road and has cyclocross 
experience. Sport racer Kathleen Tokuda and Expert racer Kerry Meyers are cross overs from mountain biking. Returning also is Becky Caldwell, racing for All 3 Sports. I am back for my 4th cyclocross season and have been preparing specifically for it with training rides at Camp Creek and Best Friend Park. I knew that I could not compete with some of these ladies as I'm used to see them riding away, but my ultimate goal for the year is going to Cyclocross nationals in December and trying to place on 
the podium in the C women's division. We started 30 seconds behind the Cat. B and C men to avoid getting caught up in the bottleneck at the turn into the woods. At the GO, Lisa took off first, Kim second, and I got on Kim's wheel. I was anaerobic by the time we hit the grass. I could hear brakes behind me as we turned into the woods. On the turn onto the off camber section, I tried hard to stay high and to the right, but one wheel slipped and put me further down the hill than I wanted to be. I was still in third until I passed Kim during the transition back on the bike from the run up. Transitions are easy for me. Coming out of 
the woods I was in second place. This would be as close to the front as I got all day as several riders passed me while we were in the grass. We went back into the woods; I saw Lisa and Kim up front followed by 1-2 other riders I could not make out. I could not breathe and was completely anaerobic. Passing back by the pit for the second time, I was still in the middle of the action. I chased the other riders with everything that I had and tried to put some distance between the people behind me and myself. I caught up to one person at the barriers. We crossed the road and went through the creek. I was in about 4th after the third dismount. I stayed with two women into the next lap. The anaerobic effort finally got to me on the second lap. Although I 
maintained my pace, I coughed up blood once and began to wheeze. I saw Esther in the pit with what looked like a flat tire. I recovered on the third and fourth laps. Lisa Safstrom (Outback) had been lurking behind me and passed me. By the fifth lap, I was again ready to ride hard. I picked up the pace and tried to make up ground on everyone that passed me. I saw Lisa on the other side of the sandy hill run up. Only in my dreams would I be able to catch her and Kim. Over the next few laps, I lost contact with everyone but Lisa Safstrom. Slowly, I gained on her and was able to pass. A look back revealed that I was alone except for a few of the B and C men that were getting ready to lap me. At about 35 minutes, I saw Lisa coming up on me. While she's only lapped me once in 3 years during a 30 minute race, I knew she would probably have me in the longer 45 minute races the women are doing this year, especially on a course that was as short as Macon. Lisa passed me and did not even look like she was out of breath. No other woman was in sight of Lisa or I except for on the far side of the course. I'd settled into my rhythm and kept going round and round. I lost count after my 7th lap. Some time around 45 minutes, the race organizer called for one lap to go. I put 
myself in full flight and pushed as hard as I could. Through the asphalt and into the woods in the first turn. I was going so fast on the off camber section that I nearly washed out. I dismounted, ran up the hill, and remounted. The grass went by quickly as I pushed as big of a gear as I was able. I did not hit my brakes as I entered the woods. I'd ridden the lines so many times already that they came naturally. I came back out into the grass and by the pit for the final time. A few cheers from the crowd propelled me along. I picked my feet up and ran over the barriers for the final time. I was going so fast that I almost overshot the turn onto the asphalt. I quickly corrected my path and aimed towards the curb jump and dismounted to run the creek. I got back on, stood up for a second, and got through the last grassy section. Once on the pavement, I stood up again and put my bike into a hard gear and pushed it as hard as I could go. I sprinted for the line; it took me a few feet to slow down (where are disk brakes when you need them?), and I nearly ran over Brad (Cycleworks) as he was in the road. 

Consistency was the key to this race. I never felt bad other than at the end of the second lap when I'd overtaxed myself and could not breathe. A few people commented to me that I looked strong the whole race, and I felt it. Although I placed 6th, I could not have been happier with my race. The weather was nice-85 degrees and sunny. I'm ready for some rain, slop, and real cross weather! Wait, no, I'll keep 70 and sunny for as long as I can.

Kathleen Tokuda rides by the pit.

Lisa Randall clears the barrier.

Photos courtesy of Chris Randall.

Brad Harper (Cycleworks) goes up the first hill in the Masters 40+ race.

Shey Linder (@ the Hub) in the Masters 30+ race.

Bob Kuhn (GTC) flies over the barriers in the Masters race.