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Plattekill Mountain Report #2 |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Art DeGraw
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Wednesday, 23 May 2007 |
NORBA NYS XC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES #1
Plattekill Mountian
Roxbury NY
May, 20 2007
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The races at Plattekill are always a highlight of the season. They combine some of the best trails in the east into a course that is approachable for all levels but challenging to the best rider and above all a maintains great flow and is so much fun to ride. I tell everyone looking to get into racing or for a good race to do that Plattekill is the place to go. No matter a good or bad day I always leave the race having had a great time on these trails and with the organizers and crew. No other place has this type of an atmosphere. These races always make me come back to the reason I started riding: to have fun.
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This year was no disappointment. Laszlo and the crew pieced together some great single track and 600' of vertical climbing each lap. Although it had been raining for 2 days the trails were in great condition, tacky and fast. Having a small turnout the starts were combined and all experts/pros/semi-pros went off at once. Seeing as the course quickly went into some single-track I pushed it to stay near the front and managed a second position onto the narrow entry. After about 10 minutes I realized I should have warmed up more thoroughly. Having arrived nearly 3 hours early I figured I had plenty of time to warm up and kept putting it off.  | | click to enlarge |
Eventually I only had 15 minutes until start time and had to warm up rapidly and continue the process through the first lap. I knew the racers would hit the course hard off the gun and so stuck near the lead until the end if the first lap when I felt good enough to make a move to gain the lead. Having anticipated a 40 minute lap, Mike Mooradian and I we were surprised to come through at 24 minutes for lap 1. Now in first place I could ride my own pace and lines not having to feel rushed to regain the leaders and instead enjoy the trails even more. The El Santo really flowed nicely on the course keeping the rear tire in the dirt instead of bouncing all over. The anticipated time of "a little under 2 hours for the pros" turned into about 1hr 12 minutes by my computer after 3 laps. After a fun ride on sweet trails I came across the line first overall and pretty happy with the result.
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The series at Plattekill has become designated the New York State XC Championship series by USA Cycling so hopefully should grow in popularity. If the quality of trails had anything to do with rider turn out then this race series should become very popular.
With a relatively small turnout overall, Bikeman.com had a big showing with 4 riders. It is great to see familiar faces and jerseys and cheer each other on. Bikeman.com came out with 4 podium spots, 3 firsts and a second place. My father was cheering us all on (Bikeman.com rider or not) and even got some nice team group shots after the race.
Art |
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