In 2017 the nationals were in Hartford in icy, snowy conditions that made just getting to and from the course an ordeal. I was certain that we would not come back no matter what. When Max and Andy told me that they were intent on coming this year my hand was forced-I would be returning along with a few others who were ready to brave whatever Hartford could dish out. Little did I know how this trip would wind up being so successful for the team. Everyone who raced went forward , even the few of us who had to start on the last row. It was a really great outing with some great rides from the members of this small contingent.
Wednesday the course was wet and very muddy in places making for quite a bit of running. Max Judelson had a front row start in the 35-39 race and led from the gun for the first lap making a separation of five riders who would not be caught by anyone from the rest of the field. He wound up on the podium in 4th,
Later that day I raced when the temperature was 57 degrees , warmer than Santa Cruz that day. I had a last row start in 28th and managed to slog my way up to 21st and finish on the lead lap , but just barely. There was a lot of running and footing on an off-camber section was poor , leading to a lot of slipping and falling.
Andy Wulfkuhle is from PA. and used to the winter conditions and did a stellar ride in the men's 40-44 group, nearly winning the jersey. He finished 2nd and got the team another podium. Matthew Werner had a last row start in the 52 field junior men's 13-14 race and rode up to 29th and also made the lead lap. His father Eric rode in the Tuesday non-championship race and finished 21st from the back row of 36 riders. Gabriella Dominguez raced in the highly competitive women's 15-16 race and finished 33rd from the back row of the field of 37.
Max was going big at this nationals and was on the front row with the single speed field. Many top elite racers decided to ride in the single speed race and this would make getting on the podium a long shot but Max rode a strong race and wound up 4th for the third podium of the week. The Werners, Gabby Dominguez and I rode in the mixed relay. There were some very strong teams and out team with two young juniors and a couple of older master's riders wound up doing pretty respectably finishing 27th out of 34 teams.
The last day was epic, not just because of the racing but at about 11:00 AM the snow began to fall. Temperatures had steadily been dropping throughout the week and now we were treated to some real winter cyclocross weather. Max and Andy would both race in the men's elite race at 2:30 when the snow was coming really down . I would be working in the pit with two people that Andy had recruited.
As the race started it was certain that on the UCI off camber section going down off of the one hill on the course there would be carnage. Max managed to get through it with not too much delay but Andy got caught up in several pileups and this would make his race a lot harder. As the race progressed , both Max and Andy moved forward but Max was up in the top - 20 with Andy having to rally from the back of the field. Andy would eventually finish 28th. Max rode perhaps his best elite nationals ever with a really strong ride up to 15th after a third row start-he made the lead lap in a race where only 15 of the 40+ riders were not pulled before the finish.
Here's a view of the pit and one of Andy's helpers showing how the course went from dry to snow covered in a matter of a few hours. It might not have been as cold a nationals as 2017 but it was every bit as competitive and dramatic. Frozen ruts in the morning caused many crashes. The muddy days in the middle of the week made the pit crews very busy.Speaking of pit crews, I would like to thank my Sister Elizabeth who had never even seen a CX race - she worked tirelessly catching and washing bikes in my race and Max's 35-39 race. She never missed a handoff and worked like a pro. I would also like to thank Max as well who worked in my race. Andy's friends who helped in the single speed and elite races were great.
For dinner on the last night we had to use up what leftover bacon and eggs we had left so this meant tagliatelle carbonara, maybe the best one I have ever made. The only thing left to do was to load up the vans for the trip home.
Maybe in 2017 I got a bad taste from coming to Hartford for the nationals. Not this time- the team did really well, even if we didn't bring very many people to the event. I can't say enough good things about all the people who made the trip possible and the folks that made the journey and took part in one way or another. Next year it will be Louisville, KY. -another place with serious mud and the possibility for dramatic racing.
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