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Maine Sport Run Off |
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Written by Andrew Freye
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Wednesday, 18 July 2007 |
 Maine Sport Run Off
It has been at least two full years since I have had the opportunity to race at the Camden Snow Bowl and needless to say I was really excited for it! I wasn’t only excited that I was going to be able to make it to Camden to race, but that it fell the weekend before Mount Snow! Timing couldn’t be better!
Lets go back in time: Wed July 11th, moved into the house!! Lots of moving big boxes unpacking but lots of fun. This same day I decided to call up SGC and see if they needed my help in the office Friday. Instead of going to the office I volunteered to go work up in Brewer (2hrs north of here) and cut line all day. July 12th , drive up to Brewer at night. July 13th, work 12hrs swinging a machete in the deep woods of Maine. Same day I am told I will be spending the night in Orono and to be in Searsmont Maine at 7 am Saturday. July 14th, up at 5 am, arrive in Searsmont around 8:30 after getting lost for a solid hour thanks to our super old map that doesn’t have an interstate on it. Worked 12hrs that day. July 15th race day, wicked tired….
There was a 60% chance of rain and by looks of the clouds on the drive down I was expecting some good heavy rain. Before the race I swapped out my Panaracer Fire XC Pro’s and mounted up the 1.95 Trail Rakers. I got in a nice warm up and was wicked tired. At the start of the race I was ready for bed. As the pre race directions were given the clouds parted ways and the sun came out. Along with the sun the temps sky rocked into the 80’s or higher and the humidity quickly rose.
Half way up the first climb, which goes forever my legs loosened up and my body woke up. I was on fire and felt like a million bucks. I would have taken off and never looked back, but in the last couple of years the course has completely changed and there were a lot of new sneak up on you really quick turns. So my strategy was to follow old man Wheels and teammate Rick for the first lap. 1st lap down, still feeling like a million bucks and I now know the course; things are going well. I opened up a gap on the climb, but as soon as I made it to the top of the climb I had a flat. I thought no problems, take some time, drink some water and refuel while I fix the flat. I had been sweating at this point more than I had ever sweat before. My shoes were completely soaked from all the sweat rolling off my body, and there wasn’t a drop of mud on the course so I knew it had to be coming from me. Oh and by the way that tire change before the race was not a good idea. Anyways, fixed the flat and charged on hard. By the top of the climb on the 3rd lap the heat got to me. My brain felt like it was going to explode from my skull. I couldn’t do anything to cool off. I think my salt levels in my body must have gotten really low. But at any rate I slowly finished the rest of lap 3 and 4 to finish 6th over all. I think the drop out rate was pretty high at this race due to the heat. I know a couple other Bikeman teammates didn’t finish and complained of cramps etc.. from the heat. My legs didn’t give me any problems. The only issues I had was the pounding headache and blurred vision. I am going to take this as a good sign that my legs are strong for Mount Snow this weekend.
It was a little upsetting to get schooled by your old high school coach. Wheels was on fire at this race. I guess being on this planet for almost half a century gives your body a lot of time to acclimate to all kinds of conditions. Kirk Turner also had a good race finishing with a strong second place finish. After changing up and replensishing my body with lots of water it was time for the award ceremony. At this time the clouds came rolling in over the top of the Snow Bowl and just like that it started to rain. To bad for me the rain didn’t come 2 hours early other wise I would have had an unfair tire advantage!
Mount Snow is less than a week away and I am feeling great! Wish me luck!
A
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