Open 45+

Lined up for the Open 45+ field at 7:15 pm. First time doing this race, and doing CX racing at night. Race starts in the Folsom rodeo arena (bright overhead lights), goes around in circles on the dirt, heads up a short steep climb and then flat pavement above arena in the dark, dipping back onto the dirt with some welcome strung lights and heckle hollow, a quick descent followed by a quick down and up where they have a DJ, handups and all out party and plenty of good natured heckling. From there you go past the arena to a grass field with dim lights strung up to provide some visibility, looping back to arena for more dirt circles, barriers and start of next lap. Basically a power course with a little mountain biking thrown in. Field went out fast and I rode near the front. Made a wrong turn u00be through the first lap which set me back a number of places. Took a bit to claw back and then rode 3^rd to 6^th for the rest of the race. Someone hit the lights on the grass field mid-race so I had to ride that in the dark, not ideal! With a few laps to go I moved into 3^rd place and then did enough to maintain that through the finish. Good field, fun grassroots vibe, debating if I bring my lights next time or just embrace whatu2019s given.

Kyle Ashton