My First CycloCross Season

AND it was rad… and hard, and fun, and….

I will do it again next year. Hopefully better.

I rode in some surf city races, cccx and the one Peak Season. I accomplished my goals. One being to race, two to not come in last (That happened the Halloween Surf City Race), and the third to get one of those beers from Santa Cruz Ale Works.

I did drop out of one race, it was a low for me. I was so frustrated with how clumsy I could be with mounts and dismounts, the super technical stuff, and how slow I could be. But I came out of it with a new attitude. No more dropping out, and to just have fun!

Yesterday was my first muddy race, and boy was it muddy. I fell three or four times. I lost count. The last lap was all about staying on my bike and finishing. I was so glad I did because I got Santa Cruz County Cyclocross Champion for womens C’s!!! I don’t know what it means, but I got a great hat out of it!! Thanks Sheila Moon!

It was awesome to meet new women. Thank You Mary for your encouragement and guidance. Dionne, I hope to see you out at more races. And to the whole cyclocross crowd, you are rad!

Now to catch up on housework I have neglected for the last few months!

Rachel Wolff
Santa Cruz, California

Rachel’s First Race

By Rachel Wolff
Santa Cruz, California

I finished my first race yesterday at CCCX in Toro Park. It was really fun and I feel proud I finished. I was really impressed with how supportive everyone was. I really was not expecting it, and it felt really good. I got lapped and only got to finish 2 of the three laps, but I am ok with that. There was alot of climbing. I did catch another woman from our group and passed her on the climb (wow, first time I have ever passed anyone) but I fell on the down hill and never saw anyone from my field again.

I am really happy I did it, and have a few things in mind for next time. Like oh train a bit more! Being a homeschooling mother, my rides don’t quite happen as frequently as I would want them to. I also have a lot of respect for you women who race year after year. You all are fast!!

Oh and I need to make sure I start in the right gear, oops, totally spinning too fast. I need to practice going faster down hill and I totally panicked when we took off from the start, and it messed up my breathing on the climb, but I calmed myself down and recovered.

I am still high from the whole experience and really happy I accomplished a goal and finished a race. Oh, and it was great to be recognized as a Velo Bella!! People were really great saying “GO BELLA!!” It shows what a great reputation you all carry.

I am going to try to make it out to some saturday rides and get pushed by all you beautiful ladies!!!