The night before the race, Jay and Cameron Dodge, Alan Consalvo, Chad Mccurdy, and Jeff Dicky came up to stay at the house. Bob Popovich, the photographer, also came to stay. As everyone staged for the start, it started to lightly drizzle. Thunderstorms were in the forcast, so I don't think anyone was too suprized (although most people weren't too happy with the wet rocks). As we cruised up the road, the rain started to pick up. It was really raining hard as I turned into the first section of trail that takes you up to Tussey Ridge. Cameron was on my wheel and we were setting a pretty good pace coming up the road. A short but rocky downhill takes you to the ridge, which is one of the best trails in the race. My mom was watching the race at the gasline crossing and she told me that I was in the top 10. I wish I could've kept this position all day. After the ridge there is a benchcut downhill that takes you into the valley, where the toughest climb on the course seems to look down and laugh at you. It looks like you are about to ride off the edge of the mounain as you climb up through the clouds, then the road makes a turn and you get your first look at a long wall that stands between you and the top of the climb. Every singlespeeder that passed me earlier on the climb had to walk this section. Then you take a jeep road down the other side of the mountain to the first aid station. After the aid station, there is a slick, rocky, rooty section of trail that can really waste your energy. Then there is some downhills and climbs, and you retrace your way back to the aid station. Most of these trails were also on the Transsylvania Epic course. Once you're back at the aid station, all of the tough singletrack is behind you. But there are still three major climbs and one crazy descent to the finish. Thought I'd share this little write up of thoughs from the race.
The next week was the Massanutten Hoo Ha. It was a hot weekend and the course was dusty, but it ended up being a fun race. Raced the Super D on Saturday and that turned out to be really fun. The course wasn't nearly as technical as I would've liked, but that's alright. We stayed around and watched the short track race and saw the intense finish between Jeremiah and Sid.
The next day was the cross country race. Just as dusty and hot as the day before. The race started off with the most hectic, confusing mass start fake out start I've been in, but once I picked my way out to the front of the field I could actually enjoy the course. Some seriously dusty trails, but high speed singletrack through dense trees and then out to the start finish area. Then started the only sustained climb of the whole course, but it was a long one. Switchbacks took you all the way to the top of the Super D course and through some rocks and ledges at the top. Then pretty muched bombed the Supder D back (with a little detour through some more fun singletrack) to the finish. It was really hot, but it was a fun weekend.
Next was a longish road ride up and down some pretty big climbs. I think we did somewhere around 80 miles with 5 or 6 serious climbs and sprints for signs throughout the day. And then every Tuesyday, the local shop holds a nice group ride. This week we took the first twisty descent on the Stoopid to the bottom of the first nasty climb, then turned off and rode one of the rockiest trails in the area. It's full of oddly placed boulders and lots of holes for your front wheel to fall into. Here's a video of one of the rock gardens, taken by Don Page on his nifty Iphone (yeah it shoots in HD).
Last weekend was the Long Pine Classic. A new race in the MASS series and probably one of my favorite courses anywhere. Gotta love those one-lap XC races. Some killer climbs, twisty singletrack, and just enough rocks to keep you on your toes. Not to mention some loose ATV downhills. This race was a fight throughout the whole 22 miles, but there isn't much that beats the feeling of pushing your limits and knowing that you did the best that you could do.
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