Limestone Cross at the Kiln is usually the last real race of the season and also the last MAC series race. Because of its mid-December date, its usually really cold, or cold and rainy, or some sort of wicked weather. This year the night before a storm rolled through and gave the burbs around Emmaus about 4-6inches of snow. This could be interesting… We woke up early and left the city at 7:30am in order to get up there by 8:30 so the lady could pre-ride the course a bit.
By the time we got there the C-men were just finishing up and there were pretty much no lines to be found. We hopped on the course and riding was definitely a struggle. Most flat sections were ride-able but other long sections were all running. I wasn’t so concerned since my race was later in the day but her race would go off right after the next heat.
Video:
Pictures:
Course
C-Men
Pre-Ride
Masters 45+
Pit
After a full pre-lap I suggested using my MTB since there was no reason not to. Only downside is shes never ridden it before. I was actually surprised that one lady ‘racing’ in the Womens 3/4 BEGINNER race gave a lot of shits about people racing on MTBs. I kept my mouth shut but if you want to be billy badass and comment on whats fair or not fair, race the 1/2/3 NON-BEGINNER race. The beginner women’s & men’s race should be about getting people into the sport on ANY bike that works. End of rant/ Anyways she was able to crush it and get the holeshot on the mtb machine but due to my lack of having a fancy new typeII RD, she dropped a chain and had to pit back to her cross rig. She ended up crushing it and got a solid 4th.
Robin secured her MAC series win, congrats!
I was a mess. Just like the first race of the season Nittany CX, I forgot to eat, forgot to bring other essentials, and more importantly forgot to go over my bike. I got the hole shot and held it until the first run up where I noticed something on my front end felt odd. I jumped back on my bike and didnt think much of it. On the next runup past the hecklers I realized my front wheel was barely on and rocking side to side in the drop out. Fuuuu. I tryed to do a quick tighten at the end of the run. During this time willis from king kog made it past me and got a small gap. After riding a bit more my sloppy/quick job at tightening my front wheel wasn’t enough as it was still loose and made riding even squirrel-ier since my wheel would rock between the brakes. I got off the bike and re-tightened it, this time for good but lost ~15seconds during which 2 more people past me, I was now in 6th. By this time I was already out of it mentally. My line, ie staying in the line was barely happening, I was out of shape (damn you SSCXWC13 weekend), and honestly I was having a bad time (Sorry Dave Pryor and the other hecklers, no smiles to be given).
After getting back in the zone I crossed the line on our 3rd lap with 2 to go. I was sitting in 5th at the time with Web, out on the front. Towards the end of the 4th lap I got past Sean who was nursing a flat. 3rd was out of sight but I tried to reel him in with 1 to-go. I wish I had a bit more gusto on the runs as towards the last 3 turns of the race 3rd place was right there, 4 seconds in front. I wasn’t able to close the gap but ended up 4th out of ~30 starters. It was a good way to round out the season and the MAC series.
Mens B 2/3/4 Race Photos
@thepenultimatestage
Mens B – Results
We stopped at Whole Foods on the way home and saw one of our sponsors, ReAnimator Coffee Roasters getting distributed outside of the city!
Ride the Jawn 