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Channel 3 MTB Race |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Steve Morse
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Sunday, 10 June 2007 |
Channel 3 MTB Race
Root 66 Series #5
Andover, CT
June 3, 2007
The drive out to CT from RI was marked by the traversal of several rain bands and T-storms. So, things were not looking too good. I was astonished to arrive at the race venue an hour later to find that not a drop of water had fallen the entire morning. So I got to the business of reg'ing, kitting up and headed out on the course to do a warmup lap.
At first, the course seemed to be in great condition - mostly dry and fast. The humidity seemed to be making some of the roots and rocks a little sweaty. I would find this out the hard way towards the end of my warm up - 10 minutes before the start. As I rounded a low-speed turn, my rear tire slipped out. I tried to put my right foot down to stop from falling, but my foot also slipped on said root, and got twisted under my bike as it and I crashed on to some nice muddy rocks. I heard and felt a pop in my ankle, and knew right away that I would be doing this one handicapped. Also, my right arm had the familiar sign of a nice stream of blood, as I pulled up to the starting line. It seemed to be eminating from my elbow. I felt bad as I accidentily leaned on the guy next to me, and left a nice elbow print on his white jersey.
I couldn't believe it, but I got the holeshot, and already started opening a gap going up the starting climb - angry ankle and all. I had the suspension locked out and was mashing on the big ring as hard as I could. I led for probably the first mile or so. I hammered down the fire road and literally ran out of gears. My Salsa Dos Niner was soaking up all the bumps nicely, so I could concentrate on going fast. When we got to the first large log crossing (which I dismounted for), places #1 and 2 blew by me. I guess I went a little too hard and was now paying for it, going into the first technical section. I had nothing in response so I just let them go. I still had a decent gap on everybody else. I settled into timetrial mode for most of the remainder of the race.
The rest of the course was pretty fast singletrack, marked with the occasional rock and/or root section and a few wood or stone stream crossings. Everything got a little greasier as the race went on, too. In the middle of each lap, came the dreaded "Twin Sisters of Mercy", basically back-to-back steep granny gear climbs - just enough to mess up any rythym you might get going. Coming down after the 2nd sister, was the harrowing off-camber and loose soil downhill switchback, pock marked with greasy roots crossing the trail, leading down to ill-placed trees. I rode this section pretty cleanly every time despite being completely blown up by the climbs.
My leg and arm were both hurting pretty bad by the last of 4 laps and I started to overheat a little too, as evidenced by some spotty vision (or were my glasses just dirty?). I went into survival mode, trying to retain my string of podium spots. I could see 4th place in the switchbacks, and he was gaining on me, less than a minute back. I started running for my life, then I slipped out and plowed into a tree, shoulder-first, I'm pretty sure I smacked my head on the woody obstacle too, but my Lazer Genesis helmet seemed to do it's job and my melon remained intact. I got up and once again hit my ankle wrong. I really felt it this time. I figured that guy in 4th must be about to pass me, but I remounted and somehow finished the race strong. 4th place crossed the line around 30 seconds after me, so he was definately gaining on me. All I can say is I was really lucky to have that gap to burn - so I scored another 3rd place. I won some sweet shwag and added another bronze Root 66 medal to the pile.
I stuck around for a bit and watched the Pro/Semi/Expert race. There seemed to be some bad mojo afoot in this one as 3 guys I know all DNF'd with either flat tires (double flat in one case!) or mechanicals, or both. Fellow Bikeman Matt Demeis was one of the unlucky victims as he flatted out of the lead in the expert 30-39 race, but I'm sure he'll get it next time.
Steve |
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