Mud...finally!
Saturday I raced the South Surrey CX at the aptly named South Surrey Bike Park. It was cold, but dry when I took my pre-ride and, even though after one lap, the course seemed ridiculously hard, I warmed up to the idea of trying to actually compete in this race instead of just being thankful I had finished. In my second lap, I started scoping out locations where I’d want to shoot photos after my race. This is as important in my pre-ride as making sure I know what to expect during the race. I noticed plenty of great vantage points . So one more lap of the course for good measure and then I returned to the relative warmth of my down jacket and the sign-in tent to await the start. The weather seemed to be deteriorating before my eyes and I kept hoping the skies would not open up before my race was done.
There was no call-up in the Citizen’s category today, but I got near the front and at the gun, sprinted uphill to the grass and was in the top ten at that point. A couple of corners later, I was squeezed against the tape by another rider and about ten racers passed me by. So much for the good start. I continued to plug away at the course, trying to keep a steady pace and ride within my limits. I was feeling pretty good, and I wasn’t behind the group, I was in the group. Imperceptibly the weather began to change, a little wind, a little colder, a few raindrops. And then it was all over! I barely remember the great flyover, slipping and sliding on the off-camber grass, the deep puddle and mud in the dirt jump park. I do remember crossing the line with my head down, then turning to see people finishing behind me. That was a new concept for me. I took some time to chat with my fellow racers about battles we just had, falls we almost took (or in my case, actually took) and how great it was to finally have some mud on a course here in the Lower Mainland. Everyone seemed the most excited about the mud, and as it turns out, the flyover. Then it started to drizzle.
I was exhausted, cold and muddy when I returned to the car and changed as quickly as I could, so I could get back out to photograph the race. Try getting muddy, sweaty, tight-fitting lycra off in a hurry with fingers about as sensitive as popsicle sticks, not easy! Toweling off in 4ºC in the rain, that was fun. Finally, all suited up in raingear, boots, toque (beanie if you’re American) and gloves I was ready to go. No wait, I need my camera! Ok, plastic bag over camera, lens and flash done clumsily with my popsicle stick fingers and now I was ready.
I made my way to the mud pit as I knew if nothing else I’d get something decent there. Racers seemed genuinely giddy about riding through this pool of water and mud. Smiles all around. Two hours later, another pair of gloves later and many laps around the course later, my body was succumbing to the exhaustion of the race, and my arms to the weight of my camera, long lens and flash combo. I made a mental note to use a shorter/lighter lens and no flash next time. Maybe a point and shoot, I thought. Obviously I was becoming delirious.
When I started editing my images I could see that I had made some equipment choices that might not have been ideal for the weather conditions and that I didn’t cover the race as thoroughly as I thought I should have. I chalked it up to fatigue from the effort I had put into my race. Should I push that hard every race? Probably I should, but then I worry that my photography will suffer. Wow, what a dilemma. I have two races left to solve that conundrum.
Getting my new Brodie Romax really muddy. Photo © John Denniston 2011
To see more photos visit my Flickr site. If it’s a great blow-by-blow race report you want, read this from the race organizer.
