As I drove through downtown on my way to the Alpenrose Dairy Velodrome, I saw the throngs of runners 15 minutes into the Portland Marathon cruising along Front Street, a backdrop for the glassy Willamette River in the almost dawn light. Seven years ago when I lined up for my 10th marathon and second Portland, I had never heard of cyclocross. Now I felt only a mild twinge of envy, looking forward to a day of cowbells, pommes frites, and Bob's Red Mill oatmeal.
I pulled up behind my teammate Jeff's blue Sprinter van as I exited the freeway. Perfect timing! My race wasn't until 2pm, but I volunteered to arrive early and help set up the team tent on the front lines of the course. The dairy grounds were cool and quiet in a light fog with few signs of the chaos and insanity that would ensue.
It only took a few minutes to pop the awning on the Sprinter and erect the Showers Pass tent next to it, but early arrival is essential to enjoying the front-row view of the course. I also got through the registration line quickly and rode the course before it closed for a full day of racing with a record turnout of almost 1,500 riders turning three to six laps each of the 2.1-mile course featuring two sets of barriers, a flight of concrete stairs, and a steep hill run-up.
The Beginner Men kicked off the day at 9am. I settled in for a day of cheering, heckling and cowbell ringing. I warmed up on the trainer while I watched my friends Peter, Neal and Russ in the single-speed race. Then I went to line up for my race, fighting some pre-race jitters despite telling myself it was just for fun and it didn't matter how I finished.
When the start whistle sounded, I found myself in the middle of a situation I planned to always avoid--dozens of fast-moving cyclists rounding corners on pavement at high speed. This is why I don't road race! I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and settled into the pack as we made the third turn onto the grass, dirt and gravel course. I was farther back than I wanted to be and worried about getting boxed in, but also wanted to slow my heart rate and not feel panicked.
A long, bumpy downhill, then a sharp right turn uphill to a sharp left turn. My friend Jake (the pommes frites vendor) had warned me earlier to gear down before the climb to ride past everyone who got stuck in high gear and had to walk the hill. I remembered and clicked down several gears on the descent, then cut to the inside of the turn, riding past several riders who sling-shotted to the outside. I stood up on the climb and made another pass on the second turn before getting boxed in on the singletrack through the trees. After a couple tight turns, the course widened for a downhill straight-away then made a quick u-turn before climbing the straight-away--some good passing opportunities.
A couple more corners, flat straight-aways, then a bumpy, twisting descent to the bottom of the run-up. I got up the run-up well, but did not remount smoothly, losing some of my gained ground before entering the velodrome for some loop-de-loops and barrier hopping. The course climbs as it exits the velodrome, catering to my strengths and presenting additional passing opportunities. I stood the climb and scooted past several more riders. Some more tight turns, the second set of barriers, then a paved flat to gear up and hammer. Then a 180 to the stairs. One lap down!
Much to my surprise, I continued to feel strong and moved up every lap, finally finishing in 15th place out of over 50 in the Women's Category B race. The entire last lap, I went back and forth with a girl in a blue jersey that I just couldn't seem to lose. I would pass her on a straight-away but lose ground to her on the barriers or stairs. I passed her just before the run-up, but she overtook me at the top and I just couldn't catch her again. We talked afterward--her name is Kelly and she's a student at U. of O. She's new to the area and doesn't really know anyone; it was her first 'cross race (and my second) and she had a blast. It was a fun rivalry.
The pro race is the last event of the day and truly amazing to watch. Ryan Trebon gets his 6'7" frame up the steep hill in about two strides. He doesn't even have to hop the barriers. The fluid technique and superhuman speed is something to behold.
Next Sunday, 1,500 racers will be back for more, this time at Ranier High School a few miles down the Columbia River.
