Fat Tire Classic Race

Perhaps I'm just as much at fault, and perhaps it wasn't my fault at all. Either way, the battle that had been ensuing since nearly the start of the race was cut short about a half mile from the finish line. I was leading the battle as we rolled onto the top of a short but very painful climb and immediately noticed two women just turning to enter the single track no more than 15 yards away from me. Surely they heard a few of us coming behind them, and in my mind I saw them pulling over and ceding the right of way to the faster riders as one is supposed to do (unless it's a fight for position). Personally I usually even give the overtaking rider a little encouragement. However, these two did not pull over and I found myself right on the tail of the trailing girl. Then it happened, on a slight down hill we began rolling over some small branches that were built up, leaving a drop no more than a foot high to roll over. They slowed down far too much and the second girl was grabbing too much brake and began rotating over the bars. Being so close behind her, I too grabbed a lot of brake just as my front wheel dropped over the logs. She saved herself from going over the bars but I found myself pretty much falling into her as I straddled the stem of my bike and the rear wheel swung down from its high place in the air to get caught in some braches or something. As I struggled to pull my bike free of the entanglement Joe slipped by. I had no legs to make up the few seconds he was able to grab from me. As I rolled into the finish line another rider, whom I will refer to as Black Beard sprinted by me at the base of the 15 yard uphill pitch to the finish line.

I'd thought that Black Beard got by me during the tangle, apparently not. He had passed me at the start of the 3^rd , and final lap after catching up from somewhere behind. Then about halfway through this last lap I'd caught back up. Now the battle with Joe just got easier, as many friends will note about me, when I have a rabbit to chase I get punchy and seem to find extra speed. Black Beard dropped a chain at the base of climb that I caught the girls on. Good luck for me, so I had thought.

I'd started the race quite well, Joe and I bumped handle bars on the whistle but I soon found myself sitting in second as we entered the first section of single track. I held the wheel of first place with relative ease until the trail opened up and it was time to crank. My legs had not completely returned from some hard rides earlier in the week. I found myself getting dropped and losing a few spots. Joe slipped by, but I caught him and put between 15 and 30 seconds on him. Whenever the course doubled back on itself I could keep a check on him. Then in the 3^rd lap as I was fading he caught up, passed me. I passed him back a few yards later and held the lead for a bit. Then he tried to pass again but I stomped on the pedals and made sure I entered the next section of single track first. Then in various places I began to give it all I had. Joe began to yo-yo off me. At some points I thought I'd successfully dropped him, only to see him claw his way back onto my wheel. I was spending everything I could muster from my legs. As I hovered over my seat on a downhill I almost collapsed onto the top tube of the bike as I felt my legs nearly give out over the bumps. I needed to drop him on course because I knew he would out sprint me. Then the crash happened.

Joe's a great competitor though. Talking about the fantastic race we'd had at the finish he said he even tried to wave a few guys by hoping I'd be able to catch onto him making the finish a little more righteous. Unfortunately I couldn't quite catch up, and I don't blame him for not slowing down. Next time I'll be shouting out verbal warnings when I catch riders going so much slower; especially if I'm in a heated battle for position.

Pictures and more coming soon, stay tuned.

Hop Brook Race Report

The lungs are already sucking in as much oxygen as possible; take it easy on the short bit of pavement, it's easy rolling here. Too short. Dogleg to the right and get speed! The hill is too steep for too long, dismount while you've got momentum and run up the hill. Three steps after cresting picks up enough speed for a flying remount.

A spectator shouts out, "Find your cadence!" Okay, found it; the easiest gear left on the bike, still headed upward. Thank goodness for cyclocross and the newly learned skills, too bad this hill is looking mighty steep again. When did it get so warm? A couple of layers last night, now shorts and short sleeves. The damn zipper doesn't open any further! The legs still aren't back yet. Where is the top of this climb!?

Three guys just ahead, they seem to be a little slower up the hill. Common, you've got it, go get 'em. Finally downhill. Oh wow, that's a hell of a mud bog! Pray they're no rocks in your line.

These mud bogs are one thick soup, and the puddles deceptively deep. Those three are still in sight, get 'em on the uphills. Ugh, common legs, get with it.

One guy pulled over, flat tire. Tally up now, one… two… three… yeah got to be fourth. There's Chris, "Fourth now!?"
"Yeah, fourth!"
Okay hold pace.

Finish Lap one.

Lap two seemed torturous at Saturday's race. Guys from other classes kept catching me, I paid attention to their numbers to make sure they weren't in my class. The legs just didn't seem to be there, and more guys kept catching me, surely some of them would eventually be from my class. But they weren't. While I never caught sight again of the few that had been just in front of me, I didn't see anyone come from behind either. The 30-39 age group started later in the staggered start sequence and some of them were passing me, but as long as they weren't 19-29, what should I care? So I kept my pace as best I could, up the hills, down the technical sections, through the mud bogs. My early season lack of form was apparently less lacking than many other's. A 4^th place finish was quite surprising; I had figured closer to 10^th was likely. I had a feeling it would be a good day though, when I awoke to find temps already near 60° and bright blue skies, a day full of rain had been fore casted all week.

Thanks to Chris for coming along as support and for being a good race manager. His updates on course were great. He got a few good photos as well, click here to see them.

I am NOT the King

I am not the king of Burlingame, but it doesn't matter, because it was a really fun ride. That's what I really went to the Charlestown, RI area for, fun. I wanted to get some early season tune up racing in and what better way than with a time trial through the woods? I rode over with Jake from North Haven Bike, making the trip quite pleasant. We got a look at the first mile of the course while warming up, and were glad we did because it was a bit more technical than we had expected. One spot in particular was good to see; I was able to see the good line down a section of rocks and practiced it once. In the race I cleaned it with minimal braking, while the first guy I happened to catch I heard use a lot of brake just ahead of me (think rim brakes covered with mud and water). The course did open up in some places requiring some pure hammering on the pedals, I found at these points my legs were still a bit tired and sore from running a few days earlier and riding 44 miles the day before. I felt really good through the technical stuff though. I almost ate it real good twice on some rocky sections but I didn't get deterred. Some recently learned cyclocross skills even got put to use at the two mandatory dismounts. It almost felt a bit like 'cross season too, it was a rather cool morning. I opted for half finger gloves, maybe a poor choice; I couldn't feel my fingers for the first half of the race.

All in all, I'm happy with the performance and it served as a good training ride, and that's what I went to accomplish. My results weren't stellar, but I wasn't after any particular results, else I would have avoided such a long ride the day before. If you care to look the results are posted here. I'm 16th (of 24) in the Sport 19-39 category, 49th overall (91 racers). I've been notified that pictures are coming soon so I'll likely post a link once I get one.

Running addition

Visiting a warm weather location like Orlando, Florida is a bit disappointing when a bike is inaccessible. After spending the last several months in the cold, dreary weather, 80° temperatures are fantastic, it'd just be nice to get a ride in in this climate. In lieu of a bike, I finally made it out for a run after two days of meetings. 20 Minutes was about all I could handle since I haven' run since late last spring, but hopefully I'll be able to keep it as part of the regimen throughout this season.

Spring is on the Radar screen

I realized that it's been nearly a month since I'd written anything and figured that it was about time to provide an update. I've found myself rather busy lately completing some of the major and final requirements for my degree. I've now only got a couple minor things to complete over the next 3 months. It will be nice to finish it all up.

Cycling season is coming into it's own now that there is plenty of daylight in the afternoon. Unfortunately I've not had a chance to take advantage of it. I've been getting a few hours in on the weekends though. Hopefully I'll be prepared for the upcoming mountain bike time trial in Rhode Island. I view it as more of a kick in the pants to start getting the real training under way.

This season consists of mostly the same goals as last year, with some very minor changes. Once again, at the top of the list are the USA Cycling Mountain Bike national championships in July at Mt. Snow in Vermont and the 24 Hours of Great Glen at Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, climbing the Mount Washington Auto Road won't be a part of the schedule this year. Some secondary goals are the 12 hours of Pat's Peak (solo), and to bump up to expert for XC races. We still need to determine our fourth teammate for the 24 hour race, but either way, we'll figure something out. Cyclocross season will have a heavier emphasis in the fall and early winter, with hopes of bumping up a category in that as well. For now the XC races will remain the focus since 'cross season is a long way off.

I have gotten some quality training in on the weekends, so not all will be lost during Sunday's time trial. Chris and I went out to Hammonasset State Park Saturday in the heavy winds. We managed over 68 miles fighting some strong winds at points. My legs felt cooked for the final 20 miles of the ride, and subsequently felt like bricks with no power during the next days attempt at mountain biking.

Since racing season is about to begin, the posts will come more frequently as the race reports get flowing. Catch you then.