Ready or not, the nationals starts tomorrow but today was the first chance anyone racing had to see what the Fayetteville edition of CX nationals had to offer for a race course. I did not get any photos of the course but will later this week. I was too busy doing laps, hoping to find that illusive 'flow' that makes for less wasted energy and more fun. After 8 laps, I think I'm about as close as I'll get in that regard. First lap felt slow and ungainly but it did not take long to start understanding each feature of the course and how to keep efficient so that when the energy needed to be there, it would not have been wasted elsewhere on easier parts of the course. There's enough tight turns for little bits of rest but having good balance will be key to making it over some steep little humps in the course without having to put a foot down or dismount.
For me, there will be just two dismounts- the first is a steep off camber hill that I found faster to run up than to try to ride and possibly topple over or have to do a clumsy dismount. The second is a pair of planks on an uphill that are the tallest I have ever seen- I'll be amazed if anyone can jump them , but of course the best racers always do. Most of the course is dry and bumpy turf, not unlike California courses-I heard people complaining about the bumps but to me it was nothing compared to Surf City or the old Rock Lobster cup races. There is no mud and it looks like there isn't going to be for the whole week. The race course would be so much more challenging if it rained-it would make for epic world-cup conditions. I guess we won't be experiencing that this week but I'm sure most of the riders are thankful.
Tomorrow is my turn to see what I can do on this course. Wish me and the team luck-
One feature not on the course but nearby is the local waffle house. I noticed it as I was leaving the course....maybe Friday morning we will pay a visit.
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