Tom eeks out a win at Suburbocross 3!
Suburbocross 3. One of the most fun races I’ve done this year. Biking super fast together with 40 other racers, many of them friends, throughout the western suburbs picking up 7 checkpoints along the chilly and dark route, illuminated only by our bike lights. From start to finish the endorphins were flowing. The competition was very good. Brandon Manske, Andrew Kroese and Nate were there, all much more accomplished cyclists. Nate was 13th at Leadville this year and 7th the year prior. At the 15 mile mark we dropped two guys on cx bikes, one of whom was Owen, a CAT 3 road biker with whom I rode at Almanzo this summer. (The rule about taking home the coveted traveling trophy (looks like a flava flav medal) is that you can’t win the race on a cx bike.) As expected, Andrew, Brandon and Nate surrounded me nearing the last stretch of the race. At the 19 mile mark, still with these three, I thought to myself that I had little shot at the podium. Certainly zero chance of winning. Then after Nate accelerated and Bman and I were able to hang, andrew was dropped. Straight down Excelsior Blvd on pavement, with a quarter mile to the finish, Nate accelerated, Brandon as well and I stood up and stomped as hard as I could. I felt good, very strong. I crossed the line first, all the while expecting to see those guys fly past me. Turns out I won by over fifty feet. Thanks to Stanley and Ben and Nate and Brandon and Andrew and everyone for making it happen. I’ll be back to defend the trophy!
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