After today, I’ve now raced the Mansfield Hollow Cyclocross a dozen times. The race started in 1983, but I didn’t start racing cross until 1995. It’s always been one of my favorites. It helps that Mansfield Hollow State Park is only 25 minutes from home.
We had a huge turnout from Team Horst Sports on a mild, but cloudy day in Mansfield, Connecticut. It as a great Saturday of cyclocross. Dahlia and Shepard raced at 8:45 A.M. and 9:15 A.M. respectively. I did the Masters 40+ race at 11:00 A.M. Then, I raced the Singlespeed race at 3:45 P.M. In between I brought Debbie and the kids home.
I returned on my own for the last race of the day and five more laps of pain. We had a good CCAP Team Horst Junior Squad turnout. Dahlia was joined in the Juniors 9-11 year old race by Owen Lezon, Ethan Lezon, and Adela Chenail. Then, in the Juniors 12-14 year old race, Shepard was joined by Boden Chenail, and Lars Roti. In the Juniors 15-18 race, we were represented by Liam Hangen.
In the Masters 40+ race, I was joined by Arthur Roti, Rich Frisbie, Brett Chenail, and Andris Skulte. In the Masters 50+ race we were represented by Wade Summers, John Meyerle, and Dave Geissert. Keith Enderle was our lone rider in the Masters 60+ field.
The kids and the Masters did great. I had a pretty good day. I didn’t feel super in the 40+ race, but had a good battle with Jeremy Brazeal and Christopher White. We traded places a few times. I made a few mistakes and that helped Jeremy get the gap that he used to hold me off. Chris was quicker on the technical parts of the course, but I was stronger on the flats and open field sections.
It was long course, which made it hard. When I returned for the Singlespeed race, but legs were sore. I was bummed out when I learned that it was also 45 minutes long and that we were likely to do five laps. I was hoping for one less. In the end, I did 10 laps of the course. Surprisingly, my Singlespeed time was only 28 seconds slower than my time with my geared bike. I didn’t expect to ride nearly as fast with one gear, but I did. My race-long battle with Keith Burgoyne and Eric Wyzga likely contributed to the high pace.
All three of us pushed each other. Keith had the advantage because it was his only race of the day, and with 1.5 laps to go, he attacked us and got a gap that he held the rest of the way. Eric pressed me, but I was able to distance him in the last half lap and hold him off. It was fun. I’m glad I went back for the second race and I hope it pays off. I’m trying to do as many of the 12 Zanconato Single Speed Cyclo-Cross Trophy Series races as possible. If I get 8-10 of them, then I would be thrilled.
Much appreciation to Race Director Ron Manizza and all of the volunteers. It’s worth noting that I love my Seven Mudhoney SL singlespeed cross bike. It fits great and it handles amazingly well.
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