BASP#4

This was my third CX race of the season. Originally I wasn't looking forward to doing this race. My last race, BASP#2, was horrible. I had been sick the week before the race, and wasn't able to maintain the intense efforts during the race. That race left me with a really negative feeling towards CX. However, yesterday's race changed all of that.
I decided to race in the A's, that way there was less pressure to podium. The first thing I noticed when I lined up for the start was the small size of the field, only 44 racers.
The start of the race was a little bit sketchy. Someone locked up there brakes during the hole shot sprint; then racers were going too hot into turn number one and pushed a lot of people wide into the course tape. After the initial chaos I settled into a good rhythm and started passing people. I moved my way up to the middle of the pack, continuing to pass people, but then my peddle hit a root and sent me flying off my bike.
I imagine my crash looked pretty funny because I was just riding along and then all of a sudden I'm bucked off my bike. Well I pop up and start to get ready to mount my bike when I'm stopped by shouting spectators telling me my chain was off. It was off in a way I've never seen before. Luckily a spectator helped me get it back on, allowing me to get back into the race, but not before being passed by numerous people. It took a while, but I started to get back into a rhythm. Once again I started to pass some people who had passed me during my crash.
I was doing well getting back up towards the middle of the pack, until I crashed - again. This time I went down in a sandy section. This did me in. I was passed by a lot of people while I tried get my chain back on.
Throughout the remainder of the race I had some mechanicals (my rear quick release came loose - twice), but I managed to stay upright. Even though I ended up 39th of 44 I had a ton of fun. It really rejuvenated my CX racing spirit. Now I'm looking forward to the last race in the BASP series. I'll be racing the A's again :)