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On the Rocks at French Creek |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Josh West
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Sunday, 20 May 2007 |
On the Rocks at French Creek
Birdsboro, PA
5/13/2007
French Creek State Park is beautiful and has some really nice hiking and biking trails. Local MTB advocates have been able to maintain a great working relationship with the Park that allows for this annual race. After last year's mud festival, it's surprising the Park even considered allowing us to race this year. However, this year was a "shine" only event. Luckily the sun was out for race day and the scattered showers the night before weren't cause for concern.
Despite it being Mother's Day, there was a large turnout of racers and spectators. My class (Expert 19-34) had 42 starters on line. Race time was scheduled for 9:00 but we didn't go off until 10:00. This year's course was a 1.5 lap, 18 mile "loop and a half".The start was a fast, not so short climb, up a gravel fire road. At the top of the fire road we "dropped" a sharp left into a rocky singletrack washout that led to the classic continual rocky singletrack that French Creek is known for. The singletrack broke off at the second climb which was a steep, paved road climb that went on for a bit and definitely spread out the pack. At the top of the road we headed back into the woods for a really fast and technical downhill. Here I was able to catch up to two riders that passed me on the paved climb. After the downhill it was more rocky singletrack with a couple minor climbs. (The only significant climbing on the course was the gravel road at the start and the steep paved road somewhere in the middle). The start/finish line was at 12 miles (one loop). Then it was another half-loop to finish the race. I held a pretty steady pace throughout the race. Passed two riders in my class at the very end and made 8th place by about two seconds. Had a lot of fun and it was good to see all of the usual MASS suspects.
Josh West
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