Race Report: Marilla Park Cyclocross

2008-11-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

Kevin Wahila and his 17 year old neighbor, James Melnyk, headed down to Morgantown bright and early Saturday morning for the Marilla Park Cyclocross race, hosted by WVMBA. The race happened to be James' first ever. Ladies and gentlement, recruiting of the next generation ProGraphics racer has begun!

The morning started out a brisk 33 degrees as we warmed up on the course. Through Marilla Park, the course wound on grass, pavement, dirt, gravel and rock. It featured the standard two barries (although they seemed taller than regulation height) a handful of off camber switch back turns, the "hill of death" and a playgroud section with life and wheel sucking gravel.

James lined up for the B race, decked out in Kevin's spare ProGraphics kit, looking quite dapper. He sported a green, single speed, tricked out mountain bike, flat pedals, streek sneakers, and mullet helmet. Crazy kid. Riding on pure adrenaline and amazement, James pulled off a 7th place finish.

Kevin and James actually practiced some barriers the week before the race, but James decided that bunny hopping the barriers was easeir and chose that as his mode of operation. A real crowd pleaser. While not able to ride up the "hill of death", James easily passed people on the run up. Go James. Hopefully we can get him out to the Murrysville race at the end of the month.

Kevin lined up for the A race. While the field was not huge, it had some fast guys including Weston Schempf. We'll blame Steevo for bringing him along. At least it took half the race for Weston to lap Kevin. Also at the race were Pflug, Sam Morrison, Gunnar, Craig Merritts and Greg Ellis.

Oh yes, Batman and Robin were there too!

What kind of cross race doesn't put you in the pain box? Mabye this one just put you there more quickly. The constant ups and downs and off camber turns really did a number on the back. Hoping for back spasms or a double flat to bring the race to an early end certainly crossed Kevin's mind.

The "hill of death" was quite enjoyable. Except for wiping out at the bottom of the hill on one approach, Kevin was able to power up the climb each time. John Dziak's costant support and cheers at the top were certainly an encouragement.

Not to be outdone by the hill of death, the course also featured the wheel "pit of despair".

Except for being lapped by 4 (or 5?) of the leaders, the race panned out by lap 5. Kevin didn't gain or lose any ground after that point. But that's not to say the suffering didn't persist. with 4 laps to go, Kevin realized that something was wrong with his right cleat. Clipping out was becoming tricky, especially approaching the barriers, then getting back in was frustrating. Turns out that both cleat bolts became loosened and the cleat was sliding back and forth on his shoe. Bummer! Furthermore, inspection of his Egg Beater pedal discovered a bent and cracked pedal bar. In the end, Kevin finished 10th.

Race this weekend!

2008-10-27T09:31:00.001-07:00

MARILLA CYCLOCROSS
Carrera De Los Muertos (race of the dead)
Marilla Park • Morgantown, WV
Saturday, November 1, 2008

Be there!
http://echelon-design.com/marillacross/marillaparkcyclocross.html

ProGraphics Cycling Team

Race Report: Marilla Park Cyclocross

Race this weekend!