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By Pete Dunn, Sport 40-49
 Beginning
of the day is cool and wet. Rained heavy yesterday and CT
was not spared either. I drive to the race and arrive at 10:15
or so. I register and get dress to pre-ride the course. Starts
out with an easy double wide climb and then levels off with
a fast downhill. Then course is basically small ups and downs.
Wet but not greasy. (Yet). Then the second half a pair of
climbs that get the legs pumped. First one isn’t bad
but just a few mucky spots. Then around a little flat section
and up the steep and not so short climb. I see problems later
on this hill. But once up, it levels off cuts along a newly
cut ridge and winds down to a river. At the river the trail
is flat with a few greasy bridges. The puddles are large but
not deep and firm underneath. I can use that in the later
laps. The loop finishes with a steep gravel-ly downhill to
the lap banner.
I line up and start by getting behind the
fast guy from races 2 and 4. Gunna see how long I can last.
Two minutes between groups, that is nice. So whistle goes.
I get behind the fast guy. I lose him in
100 yards, well maybe not lose, but he pulls out by 30-40
yards with 6-7 others in between. I get into a nice fast pace
for myself and settle in for three laps. I know what is ahead
and will push only as hard as I have to keep the fast guy
“kinda in sight.” There are plenty of places to
see where everybody is since the course winds back on itself
many times throughout the course. My first lap confirms my
lines and I push a bit harder on second time around.
I catch a “30-39” guy and try
to pass on the flat section just past the 1st fast downhill
section. I say “on left” & he closes it off.
So near a big (2ft diameter) log I go left since he can’t
hold a line. We are going pretty fast. I feel he doesn’t
like that. I jump off the bike and start to run. I fumble
a bit going over the log and jump back on the bike. The section
after is a bit tough since there is a quick 2nd smaller log
and a little greasy-rooty drop to a greasier bridge. The bridge
is really greasy and I am still not “clicked in”
and the “30-39” guy is riding my butt. So, I think
“Dude, I’ve caught ya and you started 4 minutes
ahead, so lighten up and please let me get clicked in so I
can pedal. I’d let you settle-in if circumstances were
reversed.” Anyway, this kinda pisses me off and he gets
past while I slip off the bridge. I throw my bike back on
the trail and quickly catch him. After I pass I look back
and he “dying” on the slight uphill. So here I
am, pissed and forgetting I’m getting tired. I think,
maybe I can manufacture this motivation during the next race,
it seems to be working.
I see the lead 40-49 guys just a couple of
turns away. The lead maybe two minutes or so ahead. I see
probably 7-8 guys in my group. I catch one on a down hill.
Don’t think he is happy. I am on his butt going downhill.
He has a bit of trouble, stumbles into the brush and I go
by. Then another “leading” guy pulls off. I am
able to open a gap on the rest of the downhill and flat section.
However, we come to a hill. I hate ups. They both catch me
and pass on this greasy up. I see them make the turn at the
top, so I finish running up the hill and jump on the bike.
I push hard. This new section is slow but I push since I know
I have to and the course points down soon. I catch both again
at the base along the river. We ride together. Wish I had
passed. They stink on the roots and rocks but I can’t
get by. We get to the double track and go. Unfortunately,
they pull away on the up hill just past the lap/finish line.
I suck down the rest of my “goo” and start concentrating
on the trail and my pedaling strokes. Push and pull. I find
myself feeling OK. The downhills are still fun and the ups
are almost done. I pretty much ride alone the 3rd lap and
catch a couple of others who are bonking. Pulling through
the finish line I see the 40-49 lead guys still there leaning
on their bikes. We chit chat. Turns out they all just came
in the last few minutes.
Bottom line: I was 6th out of 17. Four and
a half minutes from the lead guy and a minute from 5th place.
Two guys (7th and 8th) are with in a minute of me too. So
this group is getting quite competitive. Recall the “lead
40-49” guy, who won the previous race by 5 minutes did,
so by less than 1 minute this time. I was off by 10 minutes
last time and now only 4.
Mr. “30-39” guy comes in
6 minutes after I finish and 10 minutes total. Sorry if I
seem petty on this but I have no problem letting better &
faster riders by, especially if I know I’m in back and
the rider is in a different group, which he knew.
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