Fair Hill "I'm dead now" Cross Race

This past Saturday I headed out to the Fair Hill "not dead yet" cyclocross race. This is a race I could not pass up since it is so close to my house. I have not been riding much - around 2-3 hours a week so I really do not expect much as far as results. I just like race cross - so well call it just racing for FUN! I showed up early to get the chance to pre-ride the course since I have never raced cross here. Did a two partial laps with team mate and photographer Dennis S. The course layout was very fun, but the laps were pretty long - rumour had it they were 2 mile laps.

Set out and photographed the earlier Womens B race and then the Mens C race. Today I decided to leave the 300 2.8vr lens in the trunk (even though I just love that lens) and wanted to focus a bit more on shooting with the 70-200 2.8vr as well as attempt some panning. I did a lot of panning earlier in the year with mountain biking, but none so far with cross. Thought today would be a good day to get some panning experience in.

So on to my race - B Masters.

Once again I pretty much only had time for a 10 minute warm up before heading to the start to get lined up. I get lined up in the 2nd row which was nice for a change (usually in the back). Start goes off and for some reason it did not seem all that fast. I was sitting nicely in aroud 6th position heading into the first switch back technical section. My race would go pretty much like this.....Slowly but surely I was loosing ground and heading back from my good starting position. Nothing dramatic, but I WAS heading in the wrong direction. The groups I were riding with I would make some attacks and move ahead, loose ground and move , back, attack and move up, etc. The course was not suited well for me since it required a lot of flat out accelerations which I have none this time of year (or any time for that matter). There were two portions of this course that hurt me - 1st was the running section thru the horse arena - I am not a runner and spend no time running so although I did not loose any positions in the running section, it did put a hurting on my lungs and any chance to recover and attack once back on the bike. 2nd was my crash heading into the barriers. Barriers were set after a 180 degree left turn. No biggie other than when I was doing my step thru to dismount my foot did not unclip from the pedal and I took a header. I was up fast and recovered well - the rider right behind me did not even have time to pass, but this is where I think I threw out my back. The remaining 2 lap my back started getting very sore and stiff. I was luckly able to hold off anyone else from passing me, but I paid for this mistake. After my race - which I finished 14th .

I photographed the remaining races of the day. and slowly but surely my back completely went out and I had a very difficlt time getting around. I should have played it smart and just went home right away.

Saturday evening I am completely out of action unable to stand or move around....Sunday is the same. Today I am still not a whle lot better, but at least able to stand straight after a few minutes.

So now my cross race season is over, but I'll continue to photograph a few additional cross races.

Some updates on photographs I have had in some national magazines: This months edition of Road Bike Action I have a photo in the rear of the magazine (2 page spread) as well they did an article on the Rock and Republic Racing Team and used several of my photos for this article. The next issue of Road Bike Action, I will have the cover photo from the US Grand Prix race earlier this fall (my 1st cover) which is pretty cool. I have also had several photos (although small) printed in VeloNews - VeloNews contacted me this week about shooting the Crank Brothers GP cyclocross race in NJ in two weeks for them - possible cover photo opportunity here - crossing my fingers.