TJ Woodruff ONLINE

The line closest to the tree was the fastest…

Video Clip, for those of you with High Speed or lots of patience.

Today was the first in a series of three cyclocross races here in Tucson. This one was in Himmel Park, just about 6 blocks from my place so it was a quick ride there. A couple laps around the flat course and I had a good clue that this was going to a fast, full on affair. There were no run-ups and two double-barrier sections along with no real natural obstacles. Taking off full steam from the start I never really had to look back much as it was instantly a two man break. We had a substantial gap after three or four laps (we did nearly twenty) and we both took our turns at the front. Midway into the hour long race I could tell that I was feeling more comfy than my break partner so I kept the pace high and only sat in for short breaks.  With about four laps to go I was free to ride my own pace and my now ‘chaser’ flatted with two laps to go. I kept riding hard as there were lapped riders to chase down. Too bad for Glick, he lost his chain multiple times otherwise I’m certain that we could have battled hard out there. Still he managed third after numerous stops to remount the chain.

Of course Chloe also won, lapping all of the women twice in the 30 minute race. Luckily they also started the solo Junior male with the women’s field so she got to beat the state champ.

I’ve been training all week and it really feels good to be going at it once again. Six weeks of riding at will was a good break, but I seem to work well with some objectives at hand. NORBA ’07, here I come… Keep it real,  -TJ