2023 Cyclocross Nationals 70+ Race - Louisville, KY - December 6, 2023 with commentary

[@mikem4814]

Strava link:www.strava.com/activities/10338378714 Video captured with Insta360 GO3 (first 3 laps are continuous, in real time) Intro: 0 - 2:57 Lap 1: 2:57 - 11:28 Lap 2: 11:28 -19:18 Lap 3: 19:18 - 26:57 Lap 4: 26:57 - 29:20 Lap 5: 29:20 - 34:08 Results: cxnats.usacycling.org/live-timing/all-results

[@danielduffey8680]

Thanks, very nice report on this event.

[@winnmahuron6314]

Wow, that was so cool to watch! Thank you for sharing your video!

[@mikem4814]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting!

[@dondeem784]

Great race, Mike. Enjoyed the video!!

[@mikem4814]

Thanks for watching!

[@bruceoliver7339]

Thanks, Mike. Nice to see myself race and to have a way to show friends and family the race. The sport is hard to explain.

[@mikem4814]

Hey there Bruce! Glad you enjoyed it, and yes, part of my motivation here was a way to show (recruit?) others what it's all about.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

Rewatching this day before nats 2024 (injured at home). Imagine being in this age-group and having to race against Frank, George, Dave Goodwin and Paul Curley ( two riders who usually beat Frank) every weekend? Welcome to New England CX! If you're racing this year, goid luck, have a great race.

[@mikem4814]

I don’t have to imagine it. I’m doing it tomorrow! Course is way more technical than in 2023. Greasy, hilly turns, and will be around 32 degrees race time. If I stay upright for the whole race, it’ll be a victory!

[@isitrachelorj3953]

@mikem4814 Mike, follow Goodwin. He has been superb since the end of Oct. He starts slow, so if you find yourself with him don't be nervous about losing contact with anybody up front. David is a good as anybody technically, smooth beyond description and closes (last 2 laps) as well as anybody. Frank's been racing down south a lot last month and the results don't lie, has coming on strong. And Curley is Curley so don't let it come down to a sprint, he's the master. Again, goid luck, have a great race (hope you film/post it).

[@mikem4814]

@@isitrachelorj3953great info, thanks! Who is this? I am Mike Maclaga

[@isitrachelorj3953]

@@mikem4814 names Jay McDonald, 25 plus years racing cross, off and on (60-64 now) sprained knee at Really Rad (right behind Goodwin). I like Frank and wouldn't bet against him (you're correct, he is a great guy) but I'm hoping this is David's year. Been friends since we started racing for ncc back in 2000ish. Like I said, David (if you don't know him, look for the long ponytail, yellow helmet) is technically superb, few mistakes, and consistent lap after lap, so if you're feeling good he is a great wheel to follow. Curley will start fast, Frank will probably try to go with him, within reason (Remember last year when Frank sat up not wanting to risk everything to early). Can't help you with Fetherston, don't know him. Good luck!

[@mikem4814]

@@isitrachelorj3953Jay, thanks SO much!

[@brianalvey5410]

Outstanding!

[@mikem4814]

Thanks for watching!

[@wesharris2559]

Nicely done!

[@mikem4814]

Thank you Wes!

[@neilashton9459]

Well done on your race and video production. I’ve had many a battle with Derek and Alan in the NCCX series though I am stiil in the 60’s group. Hopefully no Covid / crashes for me in 2024 and I will be at Nats 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@mikem4814]

Go for it! I believe it’s at Louisville again next year.

[@neilashton9459]

@@mikem4814 yes CX Nats are in Louisville again next year 😉

[@SummitPhysicalTherapy]

Great video mike! well done!

[@mikem4814]

Thank you!

[@b_law949]

Cyclocross racing at 91…that’s impressive.

[@mikem4814]

Yes! I'm thinking bone density at that age, and what if you fall?

[@karenmauer2381]

Or, say you trip over your P.J. bottoms in the bathroom ? A fall can happen........

[@pammomunoz]

Hey! That's my brother, Bruce Oliver in the red!!! Great job, guys!

[@mikem4814]

Thank you! Say hi to Bruce!

[@keepontreking3661]

Well done Mike what an excellent performance , most people at you age will be surfing the sofa, 😂

[@mikem4814]

Yes, so fortunate to be able to do this. Amazing bunch of skinny and fit old men!

[@keithnewton1966]

CX is no joke. Strong finish. Hats off to you guys.

[@mikem4814]

Yes! My very first impression in cyclocross was how much power it took to ride on grass. Tough but fun!

[@Scottnaye1]

A very well done video: Thanks for posting it!

[@cb6866]

Thank you for that , you are awesome !

[@mikem4814]

Thank you for the kind comment!

[@markhagen7777]

Hey thanks for the inspiration raced a bunch when I was younger thought that was may be completely behind me somehow crazily cross seems like a Prospect

[@mikem4814]

Go for it! Body (and spirit!) respond to training at any age.

[@manresarods4947]

Thank you so much for this presentation of the race, I was on the edge of my seat! My friend Bob Fetherston finished second after taking the championship jersey two previous years. Great job on your first cyclocross nationals! About clipping in: just pedal hard when you remount the bike. If you don’t clip in immediately, just pedal back up to speed and then fiddle with it. In the long run you might have to change pedals or shoes and get something that works better for you. I like Eggbeaters.

[@mikem4814]

Edge of your seat?! You are too kind! I thought the video might be boring except for people who were actually in the race. I did want at least one lap to be continuous footage so that anyone could see the entire course. Glad it held your attention. I am using the SPD cleats. Last year I did learn that by loosening the tension that I could get in and out better despite having mud or sand mucking things up. I will consider the egg beaters. Thank you for that suggestion. I met Bob after the race. Very impressive that he became competitive relatively late in life!

[@DaveWachtel]

This is a really well made video. Thanks

[@mikem4814]

So happy you appreciate it. It does take some time.

[@stevebreeden582]

Thank you!

[@mikem4814]

You are very welcome and thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

Imagine making a comeback to racing after many years off - and winning Nattys. Congrats Frank Jennings, from New England of course!

[@mikem4814]

Yes VERY impressive! Big engine.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

@@mikem4814 crazy skills also. Racing against (mostly behind) Frank you get a great show of his skills, honed over 40+ years. He's a great guy also, very friendly.

[@mtoscano343]

Congratulations!! Impressive performance by everyone!

[@mikem4814]

Thank you! When a bunch of old guys ride hard…

[@55jeb]

That's an awesome effort. You make it look easy out there. Keep it up!

[@mikem4814]

"You make it look easy out there." Thanks for the compliment, but if only you could've seen my face!😒

[@douglong3082]

Thanks for the great video and commentary. That's a good group of racers your racing with. Welcome to the world of cross and good luck in your future racing endeavors. Pretty awesome job for your first nats.

[@mikem4814]

Thank you so much for the comment and encouragement. I guess I'm hooked now!

[@douglong3082]

@@mikem4814 That's part of of the commaradery that goes with masters racing. You do this long enough, you make a lot of friends with racers from all over the USA. We're all there to race and do the best we can, but we have a lot of mutual respect for each other, win, lose, or draw. The number of competitors may drop every 5 years, but you can bet the majority that are there, and still racing, are not newbies to a podium. Happy racing.

[@mikem4814]

Very well said, agree totally! @@douglong3082

[@patrickjenkibs2092]

Awesome

[@mikem4814]

Thank you!

[@MURRED.]

🎉😊

[@mikem4814]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@polthomaskeeley7860]

I know this team (a team of winners 😎-- go look them up 😏) Great video. Great intro 😎

[@mikem4814]

Thank you Pol. Yes, loving this team; the energy is boundless!

[@GeekonaBike]

Wayne must be pretty new to this age group too, I'm 74 racing age & I don't remember ever racing in the same age group as Mr Gorry.

[@mikem4814]

Wayne is 70 racing age for CX, as am I

[@thegravelriders]

Awesome race and effort. I'm in the 60+ cat now and had my best season ever. I might have to just give the Nats a crack in 2024, looks similar to my vids. It's lonely out in no-man's land for sure. Nice work

[@mikem4814]

Eric, thanks for the comments. Sure, give it a shot, its at another level of excitement, and the people you meet are the best!

[@danielduffey8680]

Anyone know whether that’s the Bruce Oliver from Appleton WI who raced in WI in the 1970s? The age is about right; don’t remember whether his calves looked like that.

[@bruceoliver7339]

Yes, that's me (and those are my calves). Thanks, Dan, for remembering my early days of racing.

[@danielduffey8680]

I’m sure you don’t remember me as I did not race USCF back then but you may remember my brother Dave Duffey who rode in those days along with yourself, your brother Andy, Tom Brinsko, Bruce Dimick, Giles Clark, the now sadly departed Mark Koepke, and others from the Fox Valley Wheelmen. Ah, how the years have flown. @@bruceoliver7339

[@ellerybice3787]

What is your height and weight?

[@mikem4814]

Curious as to why you would ask, but it’s 5’4” and 126 lbs.

[@ellerybice3787]

@@mikem4814 the curiosity comes from how we humans, in many, not all cases gauge our abilities by those of others. Why did you mention your "event" race age bracket, just curious?¿ 🤷🏼‍♂️ P.s. videos can be very deceiving in relationship to reality. I would have guessed a much more vulnerable height for you.