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Brighton MTB Stage Race |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by C. McDowell
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Sunday, 20 May 2007 |
Brighton MTB Stage Race
Brighton, MI
May 19, 2007 to May 20, 2007
“You’ve never done the Torn Shirt Loop before!?” The woman’s voice was practically quavering with fear and disgust. “Nope, but I’m glad I got here in time to pre-ride then.” I was trying to be chipper, civil and end this conversation, but I avoid coffee on race mornings, and my brain was less than adept in helping me navigate this social context. So I just smiled, clipped in and rode away… and returned 35 minutes later quite happy. This was going to be a good morning after all.
This past weekend’s stage race in Brighton, Michigan, near the famed Ann Arbor, was an all around treat from the friendly coordinators and volunteers, to the well-maintained trails, to the weather that reserved its fury for other hapless regions to the east. Never before have I participated in an off-road event associated with USA Cycling, but the caliber of the whole operation was truly impressive.
Saturday began with the Torn Shirt TT— well, let me back up. The morning actually began when I recalled golden advice passed down through few friends, but first uttered by Adam Craig. Apparently, Adam’s buddy James had been having some woes in the short track event with legs that fizzled and faded all too soon. “Well, when do you shotgun your Redbull beforehand?” Adam inquired. James: “Uhhhh…?” Adam: “Well then there’s your problem.” Imagining this exchange I swerved into the convenience store lot and promptly purchased one of those loathsome-tasting beverages and stashed it in my cooler.
Back to the TT: The Torn Shirt loop was not in fact the menace my morning mentor had made it out to be. Technical, yes; a killer, no. With more fun twists than a bag of Twizzlers, and my positive pre-ride memories to call upon, I finished the stage in 4th position. I was somewhat astonished, and from there began to think of myself as perhaps being ‘in the game.’
The afternoon’s short track was what I anticipated most. As far as I was concerned, this was the closest taste I would get of anaerobic suffering until ‘cross season. My Redbull and I were ready, and I stealthily downed the wee can in my car. Caffeine does funny things to me— especially in concentrated doses— but if only for the psychological buoyancy it offered (Adam Craig tested and approved!!), I highly recommend this practice. After 6 blissfully disorienting laps, I finished only a minute and a few second behind the leader— a gal who had trounced me to the tune of 4 minutes on the TT. I was pleased to be 3rd in the event, but still shaking from my furtive pre-race festivities. Nonetheless, I was moving on up.
Sunday, I arrived to see that I was 3rd in the general classification, with a girl my age only a minute and change behind me. I understood her to be a steady cross-country contender, and I was hoping that yesterday’s cool down and hearty dinner would serve me well. The XC course served up a seven-mile lap in which we encountered all the usual enchantments. I’m talking like this is old hat, but I have yet to see anything super out of the ordinary on a bike trail.
My competitive nature kicked into overdrive seeing lady #4 pedaling out in front of me, and I decided that for at least one lap, I would have her ride ahead to determine her pace and if I could hang. To begin, I was fortunate to ride another woman’s steady 29’er wheel for a few sections, but was pleased to discover that I had the legs and the lungs to push on ahead and get my ‘rabbit’ back in sight. She and I rode together for a portion of the second lap, in which I tried to learn what I could from her experience and technical grace. Fortunately, the course included intermittent power stretches; I seized one such opportunity and attempted to put my roadie past to use, passed her, and rode on. To keep a long story brief, I was able to stay away despite more than a few bumbles— some of which may have involved discovering course-side poison ivy, but only time will tell. I was so stoked to put Bikeman.com on the podium twice: 3rd in Sunday’s open XC and an overall 3rd place in the stage race.
A man approached me afterwards who had passed me on course in the men’s elite race, and we politely congratulated one another. He said, “Bikeman, huh? Great team. You guys are the real deal.” Heck yeah! Here’s to spreading the good word in the Midwest, and continuing to keep it real. Thanks again to all the sponsors who help keep us rolling!
Cal
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