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Finally have some time to put out the write-up to this long weekend. Taken me almost a week to recover not from the race itself, but rather from the sleep deprivation of driving to the race and back all in a matter of two days. Almost back to normal.
Well to the race then. Drove down from the snowy and cold white north to the green and warm, I mean warm, Kansas countryside. On the way down I pleasantly watched as the temperature crept up and up until finally it was in the mid 60's on Saturday when I arrived in the early evening. Well got the camp set up quick (Single Male doesn't take much: Tent, Sleeping Bag and that is it!!!). Thought I would go out and do some openers on the course to also get a good idea for what I was going to be up against. WOW, what a eye opener!!! Rocks, Rocks, Rocks, Tree Root, and some more ROCKS!!!! This was quite the first dirt trail ride of 2013, yeah that is right, haven't been on clear trails yet this year. Overall could tell that this was going to be tougher than expected so got back to camp after pre ride and geared a tooth down in the back to run 36 x 20.
Racetime
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| Bart Cox Photography (Sorry can't afford $7 a photo, it is my mug anyway!!) |
Woke up on Sunday to clear skys and also didn't even have to put any extra clothes on to crawl out of the tent. What a difference 400 miles south can make!! Race day was going to be windy, 20-30mph winds and hot 70 degrees. Yeah that is hot when the high has been in the 30's for the past month. Got the pits all set up pretty early and then it was Breakfast and waiting. Figured out on the way down I need to change my pre-race breakfast as I don't think it is giving me what I need to get going at these long events. Changes to come! Rode the parade lap a few times to get a feel for it and fueled up. Team Noah Foundation finally showed up with Adam and Pete coming in stylishly 30 minutes before the start. Greeted them as I saw fit (One fingered salute!!!) Joking of course. Great to finally have a team at these things that I am proud to ride for and have some comrades on course to keep the mojo going.
Toe the Line and we are off!!
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| Bart Cox Photography |
Front row start today as I could tell that it was going to be needed for this one because of the tight single track and the tight entrance into the woods after only less than 2 miles. Slotted Pete next to me and Adam slotted a few rows back. And we are off. Got out good and settled in about 6 behind the leader, Ginger King Ryan. He set a good hard effort to help thin the heard right from the gun and up the opening climb we went. I held my own up the climb and entered the single track about 6th or 7th in line. Never bottle necked and we were clear to roll.
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| Bart Cox Photography |
Majority of lap one was spent in the red zone, 170 bpm or higher!! Settled in nicely for my second trail ride of the year on some of the rockiest trail I have ever ridden so far in my 10 year riding career!! 6 miles of pure hell on rocks with short steep up's and we finally got to the smooth open trail that was a blast to cruise around! Rocks thrown in every once in a while to keep us honest. Spent lap 1 chasing the leaders and catching up with Ryan and settling behind him as he was flowing nicely. Came through I believe in 5th Overall and was feeling quite well. Quick pit and off again for lap two. Laps were rolling around 1:15-1:20 (+ parade ) for about 13.5 miles so moving along pretty well considering.
Lap 2, 3, 4 was pretty much the same all 3 laps. I was able to move around Ryan on Lap 2 and open up a gap nicely on the smooth stuff ( halfway through the lap) and got into rhythm. I was cooking around at 11 mph and feeling really good for first race of the season on trails. Surprised for sure!!! Got some company on lap 3 and 4 as Brad "Superman" Auen came riding up on my wheel and we traded back and forth taking our turn at the front where we saw fit. He was riding unbelievably smooth through the rocks at the begininning so often I sat back and just kept pedaling through this section. Didn't know it but during these laps we were siting 2nd and 3rd Overall chasing the lone one that got away in Frank from Orbea/Tuff Shed. We discussed it and figured at how fast he went off he would run out of gas before the end. We were right. Came up on Frank on Lap 4 and he was hurting with stomach issues. So now we were fighting for the Overall!! Well not much of a fight with a mere mortal and Superman!!!
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| Bart Cox Photography |
Lap 5 saw the move and nothing more to do!! Brad was again feeling it and there was nothing I could do but salute and ride to the line. Lap 5 saw me riding the course enjoying the last bits of single track as I knew that I wouldn't be riding this in the near future with the snow, cold, and rain up North!! Felt fairly well as I pulled into the finish at around 6:46:36 for 68 miles of rocky goodness (Nightmares did follow!!!) and only around 10 minutes off the pace of Brad. Like I said he was flying on the rocks!!!
Team Noah had a good day as well!! Brad took the Overall with 5 laps. I was the only other solo out there to take 5 laps which made me feel good accomplishing that goal that I set on Lap 1. So I took 1st SingleSpeed and 2nd Overall. 2nd, 2nd of the year, still a podium though. I was joined on the Podium by my good mate and Team Noah Teammate Pete Henry who moto'd (He was kick starting his bike at the start!!!) to a 2nd SingleSpeed and 4th Overall. Adam was able to come in 7th SingleSpeed so a great showing by TEAM NOAH Foundation!!!
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| Bart Cox Photography |
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| Bart Cox Photography |
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| Bart Cox Photography |
After the race it was the Marathon drive back to Iowa of 7+ hours where I got home at 12:30a.m. Monday and had to teach in 4+ hours. Lead to a long week of work with not much sleep. Well worth it thought!!
Again overall felt great to be on some single track and looking forward to the season ahead!! I am up next at the Decorah Time Trials in a week to try and take back my title that I vacated last year and then it is to the heart of the season!!! Starting on May 11th I am going up to Rochester for the Sandwich 50 to keep the legs fresh for the following weekend NUE opener for me of Syllamo's Revenge 125K. After that it is into the Dante's Inferno of Hell as June see's 5 100's in 5 weekends and then every other weekend until Cyclocross season!!
Going to be a long one but looking forward to spreading the hope that is Team Noah Foundation. If you would like to help spread all that is good with the foundation make sure to visit the site and donate to support the cause. Visit Team Noah Foundation- How you can Help to find out more!! Thanks for reading!! OUT!
