Rocking Out at Rockburn CX

Words by Edrie
Photos by Edrie and Addison

This year, I decided to ride to Rockburn since I lived in close proximity. It would be a good warm-up before and after my race, so why not?! The day was cold. I remember wearing booties and a thermal jacket. I packed a backpack with extra clothes, some snacks, and I was off to the races!  I rode about 7 miles to the Rockburn course discovering new roads and riding on familiar ones. Now, for anyone who doesn't know Rockburn Park, It isn't the easiest to navigate to so I was nervous about getting lost for too long. I kept riding through a new trail until I heard cowbells. I'm close!  Not knowing what time it was, I arrived at the beginning of the 11am races. My race was at noon, so I had enough time to register, pin my jersey, get into kit, and cheer on the Great Eskape Guys! 

t's almost noon so I make my way to the starting line. I'm at the start and it hit me... I DID NOT PRERIDE THE COURSE!....What am I getting myself into?!?!?! Here we go!

Whistle blows, go go go! First grass hill, then more grass, then grass, okay, then sand, what?!,almost ate it!,  into the woods-single track, up a hill- slowing down gross, grass, grass, log, then fuck this gravel hill to the stone house, grass, barriers, more woods?, soccer fields and switch backs, why is the last one so hard?, repeat! The First Lap was hard and saw 3 laps to go. By the second lap, I was dying and saw 1 lap to go. THANK THE LORD! Happy to finish my race and not drop out. Whew!

Found the team tent and joined in on beers and cheers. Stayed for the single speed race where a couple Great Eskapers raced while the rest of us prepared for hand-ups! Our hand up station was at the top of the gravel hill- the same one I was cursing while I raced. We had a great time heckling, cheering and talking to racers. We fed Kevin beer every lap while Jake (OG Eskape Artist) fed us smiles.

Best beer hand-up line:

"Want some dish water?!" - Dylan

Great Times.