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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Jansen Lindner
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Tuesday, 29 April 2008 |
NUE Cohutta 35 Miler
Copperhill, TN
April 19th, 2008
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Last Saturday was the Cohutta 100 in Copperhill, TN. This is in the Blue Ridge area. The main event was the “hundie”, but they also had a 65 and 35 mile option. I raced the 35 with my brother and mom. My dad raced the 100.
The day before the race I pre-rode the first 12 miles of the course, which consisted of a long climb on the road, a section of easy single track with sweeping turns, some crazy downhills, and finally a flat section with a river crossing with large flat rocks across it.
I got to meet one of my Bikeman teammates. Chris, from Maine, stayed at our cabin with us and it was cool to get to hang out with him.
The next day I got up at five to make it to my dad’s race start, which was at 7:00am. Mine was at 7:30am. It rained for a bit the night before, so I wasn’t sure how muddy the course was going to be.
On the line, I started in the second row back. When the gun was sounded, I took off with the front group and ended up about fourth into the single track. I stayed there while attempting to pass loads of 65 milers and hundies. Then, I passed a 35er after the wide river crossing. The first section was slick with mud, but then there was only one other section where the mud was like peanut butter and I just hoped my drive train wouldn’t rebel against me.
I continued up a long climb, but I only recognized one other 35er, as I passed him in a sea of riders. Once, I took a turn onto a road, everybody disappeared. I slowed down, since I was afraid I had taken a wrong turn, but pretty soon a guy caught up to me on a gravel downhill and I knew I was on the right course. I lost him on the following climb and I raced the rest of the race knowing he was right behind me.
I won with the guy, in red, only 34 seconds behind me.
After the race I volunteered at the scoring trailer. They were having some problems and I was happy to help.
This was a great race. The course was fantastic, food was great, hats and shirts were cool and it was nice to have so many friends of our family in one place. I want to race this one again next year, for sure.
Jansen |
; "click to enlarge")
