{"id":2667,"date":"2016-01-31T23:56:14","date_gmt":"2016-01-31T14:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2016-01-31\/2667"},"modified":"2016-01-31T23:56:14","modified_gmt":"2016-01-31T14:56:14","slug":"watching-my-first-cyclocross-bike-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2016-01-31\/2667","title":{"rendered":"Watching My First Cyclocross Bike Race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 102mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThis Will Not End Well<\/span>\n(for him, that is. For me, it was great \ud83d\ude42 )\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Today was the last race of the local cyclocross-racing<\/a> season, and I took<\/span> the\nopportunity to see some friends race. Cyclocross bicycle racing is sort of like mini-obstacle-course bicycle racing, with a few<\/span>\nlaps on a relatively<\/span> short course going over steep embankments, through mud and sand, over barriers, etc. It rained<\/span> quit a bit<\/span> a\nfew<\/span> days ago, so the course had plenty of photogenic mud.<\/p>\n\n

I literally have not yet seen all the photos I took,<\/span> but I wanted<\/span> share a few<\/span> so as to share the gist of the day.<\/p>\n\n

There are races throughout the day for various categories, but I arrived<\/span> before the first to check out the course. The cyclists<\/span> were doing the same. I found<\/span> one particularly-interesting area...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 125mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 180 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMud Bath<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The mud was deceptively deep, so if you didn't see someone in it as in the photo above, it was easy to\nmisjudge your entry and find yourself involuntarily off the bike....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 78mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n... And This is<\/span> Just a Practice<\/span> Lap<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

A cyclocross lap generally includes sections where you must get off the bike and carry it over obstacles, but also many\nsections like the Mud Bath above where you can try to ride or just push\/carry the bike if you think it'll be faster. Most folks\nchose the latter.<\/p>\n\n

This included American friend Andy Clark, who was near the front in the first race,\nthe Men's “<\/span>C3”<\/span> (“<\/span>Category 3<\/span>”<\/span>) race....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCharging Toward the Mud Bath<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Andy started this season (his first) in Category 4,<\/span> which is open to all who have a bike,<\/span> the entry fee, and a free<\/span> Sunday. But one gets<\/span> elevated to Category 3<\/span> only by earning it, which he did quickly earlier in the season.<\/p>\n\n

Andy's been on my blog numerous times since I started<\/span> cycling, including\nhere<\/a>,\nhere<\/a>, and\nhere<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

In cyclocross it's very good to be in front of the pack, because otherwise you can get bogged down in\na clump<\/span> of competitors...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 86mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThe Scrum Arrives<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGlorious<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After passing the Mud Bath, the course continued away, and after three 180\u00b0 hairpins across various parts of an embankment,\nthe course came back past me on the other side, up a different<\/span> hill that was sufficiently-less muddy to entice more\nfolks to try actually riding up it.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 16mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/13, ISO 3200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAndy Charges Ahead<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 80mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nNot Always Smooth Sailing<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 155mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEasier to Carry<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nForgot To Tie His Shoe?<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 44mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAntti Rides the Mud Bath<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Finnish friend Antti was also in the “<\/span>C3”<\/span> race. He got caught<\/span> behind a big<\/span> pileup near the start, so was trying to claw back time. He successfully<\/span> rode through the Mud Bath.<\/p>\n\n

You might recall Antti from this post<\/a> about how well he\ntook care of things when a friend<\/span> crashed on a group<\/span> ride. He was also<\/span> with my on\nmy first ride to the ocean<\/a>, among many others, including\nmy very first ride<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The Mud Bath made for fun (for me), but it didn't usually give photos of people actually riding bicycles,\nand when I turned<\/span> around to get folks coming back the other way, the background (the parking lot) was horrible.\nWith the photo above, I tried<\/span> to lessen the impact of the background with some creative processing.<\/p>\n\n

Back to the mud-bath fun...<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 110mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBumper Cars<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 130mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTrue Grit<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMud, Literally and Literately<\/span>\nthe character on the back of his jersey means “<\/span>mud”<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

In their C3 race, which was three laps of the course, Andy ended up getting 8th out of 54. Antti got 11th. Very good.<\/p>\n\n

German friend Christoph Millotat rode in the C4 race...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChristoph Traversing the Mud Bath<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 150mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking the Mud<\/span>\nyup, still muddy\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The mud was very soupy in the morning, but as riders took its moisture away on them (and their clothes and bikes), the mud\ngot a bit<\/span> firmer as the day went. But it was<\/span> still mud.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/10, ISO 1600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

As I said, there are many categories, including various levels for women. The ladies<\/span> got in the mud just like the guys...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 125mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nIn One Sense<\/span>\n“<\/span>In the mud like the guys”<\/span> in one sense\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 82mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAnd In Another<\/span>\n“<\/span>In the mud like the guys”<\/span> in another sense\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nKids Too<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Because I was camped out at the Mud Bath, my photos haven't shown much else of the course, but here's one that gives\nmore of an idea of some of the nastier parts...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nZig-Zaggy Up and Down<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The guy in the center of that photo illustrates a great<\/span> thing about amateur cyclocross racing...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 200mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 1600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCompetitor<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The easy categories are open to everyone and they're probably the safest kind of competitive cycling, as speeds are never very\nfast. One can spend<\/span> a lot<\/span> on a bike,<\/span> but it's not\nrequired, so the real barrier to entry is mental. The guy above<\/span> is obviously out of shape, but he's out\nthere doing it, giving it a try,<\/span> not giving up. He certainly<\/span> got a better<\/span> workout than I did<\/span> just standing around all day.<\/p>\n\n

And what happens when an out of shape guy like that intrudes on the world of the fit cyclist? He gets\ncheered<\/span> on and encouraged...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 48mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAndy Cheers the Competitor On<\/span>\nwith words of encouragement and a noisy<\/span> cowbell\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f\/2.8 @ 140mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Continued here...<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today was the last race of the local cyclocross-racing season, and I took the opportunity to see some friends race. Cyclocross bicycle racing is sort of like mini-obstacle-course bicycle racing, with a few laps on a relatively short course going over steep embankments, through mud and sand, over barriers, etc. It rained quit a bit a few days ago, so the course had plenty of photogenic mud.<\/p>

I literally have not yet seen all the photos I took, but I wanted share a few so as to share the gist of the day.<\/p>

There are races throughout the day for [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,1,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2667"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2667\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}