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Coyote Hill Report |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Alan Moats
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Tuesday, 29 May 2007 |
Coyote Hill Classic MTB Race
West Fairlee, VT
May 27, 2007
My neighbor Tom Masterson hosts the Coyote Hill Memorial Day Classic XC race in West Fairlee, VT each year. It also serves as the VT State Championship and a Norba Nationals Qualifier. The 5 mile course is mostly sweet semi-technical middle-ring single track with few places to pass, rest or eat. It had stayed dry all week and was beautifully prepped. I pre-rode it a couple of times prior to the race when I went over to help with trail maintenance, so I was familiar with the line. This was a big advantage.
I had done some 'opposition research' by browsing the prior Root 66 results and discovered that the 50+ Expert class was heating up. A few years ago, I'd show up at the start of the 50+ and immediately recognize the 3 or 4 other Masters. Based on the posted results, quite a few battle-hardened Vets have now turned 50 and are continuing to beat each other up. The top 5 in the series were consistantly close in time and seemed to rotate postions on the podium with each race Sure enough, when I rolled up to the start there were 15 Expert Masters on the line, many of them almost 10 years younger than me (I'm 59). I figured that a reasonable goal was to crack top 5.
The 3 lap race started with a 1/2 mile middle ring climb. Steve Fletcher (West Hill) took off like a rocket with the front half of the pack red-lining to hang on. I maintained a more reasonable starting pace and let them go. I entered the single track in 8th to find myself in a pony ride (snout to butt) while the leaders increased the gap. It's hard to take advantage of the fast line when you're on the brakes and dodging blunders. I was frustrated. I gradually moved through the pack and was finally able to see the leaders again by the end of the first lap. They gapped me a bit again on the half mile climb but this time I had the single track to myself and again reeled in Steve, Dave and Chris.
Half way through the second lap, Chris, Dave and Steve finally cracked and I was able to open up a comfortable gap going into the 3rd lap. The big factor was that I was able to 'glide and relax' frequently on my dually 29er because I knew the line while they stayed in continuous attack mode, slowing down and reaccelerating continuously.
The last lap was pretty comfortable. I had the trail to myself and a clear rearview mirror and I was able to let it rip and have fun.
So.. I was able to flash my BIKEMAN jersy from the top of the podium. I also ended up with the 50+ VT State Championship and qualified for the Nationals in July.
Take away thoughts (reminders to myself)... Trust your pacing. Pay attention to a clean fast line. Keep your hands off the brake levers. Let the bike seat carry your weight whenever possible.
Alan
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