Montour75

Yesterday was the 75 Miles of Montour. A road race with 7,000 feet of climbing, with all the climbs in the last 40 miles. The beginning was a bit stressful, since a dog and 2 horses ran in front of our group. At the first climb, I made a break and caught the lead group. The pace was being set by Ray Adams and a few elite road racers. I was able to keep up with them on the climb, but they slowly dropped me a few miles afterward. Then I joined a chase group and we eventually caught them, but we got dropped again. Got a quick bottle switch at the aid station, then found another group with a very organized paceline that got us back up to the other group. People slowly dropped off the back, and it ended up being me and 2 others for the last 20 miles. That was good because I learned how the other riders rode, and I was able to plan my breakaway. That happened on the last switchback of the last climb, because I knew the other two riders eased off and rested when the grade got shallower. So I rode up beside the other rider, pretended like I wasn't breathing hard, and dropped him around the switchback. I knew he was a good downhiller though, so I really needed to work hard to make up for my light weight on the long downhill to the finish. I knew that I needed to take all the corners as fast as possible so that I didn't get caught in the straights where I wasn't able to go as fast as the other 2 riders. I almost slid out on the last turn (a 3-way intersection with a railroad crossing), but I finished the last miles of the race strong. I didn't have any cramps or difficulties until the last bit of my breakaway, where my calf siezed up because I was putting everything I had into the finish. Came away with 14th overall, and 2nd in the 2o and under division. I'm happy with that since I'm not a road racer. When I broke away, I remember coming to a slight uphill, and just praying that I didn't go too early, because I knew it would be all over if I blew up before the finish.

Today I did a 3 hour ride. I woke up early and rode over to a state park on the other side of the forest, that way I could get an hour ride in before I met up with a group ride. I didn't want to climb one of the forest's hardest dirtroads after yesterday's race(Seeger, for those of you who have done the W101), so I took another road out of the forest, around the mountain, then back in. The ride went good...we shuttled to the top of the mountain, did about 13 miles, and then got 2 people to drive the cars back while the rest of us bombed the 3 mile downhill back. That downhill was Lower Sassafrass - the tough trail climb that the Wilderness 101 hits at about mile 60, and that the Stoopid does at around 35. Grilled some burgers afterward and had a lot of fun.

By the way, Cadence is having and endurance camp in State College. Go to it. The trails are great, and the price includes entry to the W101. It's the weekend of the Stoopid though, but we're having some problems putting that on I guess. It will probably happen, but if it doesn't, definitely come up and do this....the trails are great. I wish I could ride but I still have school.
http://www.masuperseries.com/2009/files/MTB%20Endurance%20Camp%2009.pdf

Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at how stupid this sport can be...

Last weekend was great, cause when races go well, there's nothing else like it. Saturday was a bit rushed, but it's alright. I woke up, picked my bike up from the shop, went for a ride, packed for Granogue, then got ready for the school's spring dance. Danced with some girls and was pretty tired by the end of the night. My dad picked me up with the bikes on the car, and I rode down to some Hampon Inn in a suit. Got to bed around 1:30 that night, but I got a lot of sleep the night before so I wasn't too worried. Woke up 4:30 later and didn't want to get up. Finally got back on the road and finished the drive down. It was raining...yay. I was really stiff and didn't feel very good when we first got the bikes down, but a quick warm up fixed that I think.


Race started well. Got to the line with little time to spare but at least I was warm. I didn't have the best starting position but I worked my way up to 2nd by the singletrack. First lap went really well. Fell a few times but I kinda expected that. Turns out that out of all the riders who finished the race, I was in 2nd place after the first lap. I've ridden on ice that gripped better than that mud. Second lap was kind of a disaster, but I think it was for everyone. Had to walk way too much since my rear triangle was completely caked with mud. Finally got the bike up on to my back and pressed through the mud until the last pavement section. I can say that I was able to ride what might be the most technical rock drop on the course both times, but that's about all I rode of that area the 2nd lap. Found a gear that actually worked and finished the final climb strong. It was a good day, but I was shivering shortly after I crossed the line.