Crashes, Smashes, and Gashes!

With about two races to go on the calendar (further trips abroad pending) it would be all or nothing at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, ON. According to calculations, two catagory wins in the final two Ottawa series races would set me up mathmatically for a third place in the overall standings (first and second being out of reach due to missing several races in the series).
Arrival in Morrisburg would give us sun, and a light breeze, however Temps at around -3c and a windchill aproaching -10, would make it interesting. The previous week had been nice and dry, but very cold, so the ground was frozen solid, and no snow meas FA-AST!
A bit of a smaller turnout, so off the gun, it would be easier to settle into position and get to business. Early on there were four of us at the front, Osmand B. would be in the lead as usual, with the three of us tagging along. Osmand had about a 30m gap, and I was ready to jump up to him, and hopefully be able to hang on for a lap or two to gain time on the others, that was until, I slipped up on some loose gravel and frost. I was immediately back on the bike and ready to regain position and have another go. About 200m later, we hit the grass, and on a chicane around some spruce trees, caught some heavy frost and hit the deck again. This time not as good, landing on the same side. I gathered myself after a bit of pause and jumped on to begin the chase, and we're only on the first lap!
I quickly worked my way back up through the group and caught up to Darren who seemed to be going well on the day battling it out with Casey. As I continued up through the group finally caught up to Rob O. who also wasn't having the best of days. On the start of Lap 3, on the first uphill barrier, I slipped while jumping over the barrier, landed across the barrier and partially on the bike, Ouch! This would be #3, and I'm done. I crawled back on the bike and instantly pulled myself off course and called it quits for the day.
Later I'd find a few good scrapes and some wicked road rash on the hip, knee, a finger, and what felt like full body whiplash, nice!
So with that, and all the snow we've been getting this week, I've called it quits for the season, looking forward to a few days or so of healing, beers, and then later on as the snow accumulates, we'll hit the tracks for some skiing. If this fall is any indication of whats to come, I expect a good long winter, and lots of skiing!
I'm also anxious to finally be home to catch some live feeds on Sunday mornings now of the euro cross season, should be motivation enough to get things going again in the spring!
So now that the seaon for me is officially over, I will be out to watch the final race of the year at Mooney's Bay. Give me a chance to cheer on Kelly, Darren and the others, maybe get some pictures, and who knows maybe I'll even tag along a few Mooseheads!!
I hope to keep posting over the winter, so well see what interesting things I can come up with!!
ciao for now!