Author

Brian Morrissey on Nov 27, 2009

Race name: Jingle Cross Rock #1 Race date: Friday, Nov 27, 2009

First day of Jingle Cross Rock in Iowa City, IA.

Madness.

Twilight race through mud, gravel, steep hills, and in and out of horse stables and barns at the Iowa State Fairgounds. Higher categories racing parts of the course in pitch black. The first five riders at the top of Mt. Krumpit botch the turn and plow through the fence.

Sitting in top 10 with the lead group in my race I try to ride through a thick mud section just before start finish and bog down like a German half-track in the Russian spring. The front wheel is glued to a stop. I have to get off and actually remove the wheel to clear all the slop and mulch off, losing many places.

On the back stretch of the last lap I hear the winner being announced, and catch one or two more for a decent 20th, noting the circumstances.

Expecting a muddy slog tomorrow, with the full length of the course added for the 4s, and I get to try my hand at Mt. Krumpit.