|
Written by George Lapierre
|
|
Tuesday, 22 September 2009 |
Millstone Grind
Websterville, Vermont
September 13th, 2009
I have been looking forward to the Millstone Grind for a year now. Last year a couple of my good friends raced there, and I constantly heard about how good the trails were all summer. I am a bit spoiled with my location (ride out my front door to some incredible single track) so I was looking forward to a day that I would have to go down and ride at the Quarry.
Race day came and I met my car pool buddy and his girlfriend. We cruised down through intermittent fog, and parked in the field across the street from the trails. The fog in the valleys dissipated while we got suited up, giving a killer view of the surrounding hills and old granite quarries around the trail system. We registered and headed out for a warm up, missing the pre-race meeting. The start was filled with familiar faces (one of the benefits of a local race) and everyone was feeling good, ready to ride some very fun single track. The race went off and I made it through the field into the single track in fifth place, which I was happy about because it was an 8.5 mile lap that we would do four times. I passed the guy directly in front of me in a few miles, and then caught up to the Matt, who I discovered lives right down the road from me and has a sweet Niner that I have been eyeing when it is on top of his car. We rode together for a little bit and then I lost him on one of the “less” technical downhills. The course at Millstone is very unique. After the field start (uphill) you head right into a doubletrack width trail that is only really rideable for the width of a normal singletrack. From there you head into twisty, turny, rooty singletrack that heaves and drops like a cheap fair ride. To make it even more fun, granite chunks litter the forest and trails keeping you on your game or making you fix flats (many racers were victims of pinch flats) There were two big climbs, just long enough to make you hate gravity and curse the sausage you ate the week before, and a couple fun downhill sections that combine hairpin turns and steep, short hills that keep you honest.
I finished my first lap and was starting my second when I saw another racer I started with on the side of the course fixing his rear tire. I offered him my tubes or pump, but he was all set and I don’t think my 29” tubes would have helped with his 26” wheels. I knew he was strong, but I hoped I could keep him behind me for the rest of the race. My second lap was a bit slower than my first, because I failed to eat anything on my first lap. I downed some shot blocks and a bunch of water and rallied just in time to start the third lap. I felt really good and kept eating, and had lost sight of my competitor with the flat. A few friends who were in the older group gave me a scare as they caught me, but I was safely in front. I ditched my camel back on the last lap (it really wasn’t necessary, the feed stations were better stocked with Gels and sports drinks than most sports stores) and hoped I could maybe catch a glimpse of the guy in first. I rode a good strong lap and was very happy to be finishing, even though I never caught sight of the guy who won. I did get to meet bikeman.com teammate Paul Simoes, and I only finished about fifteen minutes behind him, although I did have the handicap of twenty three more gears. I ended up second for the Expert II men and about 14th overall. I love the course and will be back there next year, as this is a race that is going to continue to grow once people hear about it.
George
 |
Show/Hide comment form
