I’m a bit behind on race updates, but the good news is that
means I’ve been racing a lot! After the big result at Iola I took a step back
and realized that I was a little bit ahead of where I wanted to be so it was
time to take it easier for a while. Last year, I did something similar, I was a
little too far along at this time, but I didn’t take a step back then. I’m glad
I did because this year I think I’ll time my peaks much better for big results
when they really count. But long story short, it’s been some lower volume, high
intensity training, with lots of rest.
But racing is still going on so I make sure I was well and
ready for the WORS race in Rhinelander. I came into it knowing that I had a
chance to win and that everyone else would be watching me. Brian was going to
be there and everyone else seemed like the rust had been knocked off and
everyone was back at a high level. In short, I knew it would be hard race. When
the race started, I could not have had a worse start. I got my pedal right away
but when I put the power down, the gravel lost grip and I didn’t go anywhere. I
think Dave Flatten lined up on my wheel thinking it was the fastest one. Not
that day, sorry dude. But the long lead out means it didn’t matter too much.
The pace was high but nobody wanted to gas it. So we played the tactical game
for the first few minutes until the trail started getting rougher and we hit
the first hill. This was about half a mile or less from the first section of
single track. I rode the hill from the front and let myself drifted back a
little to save some energy, but at the top I lost the front wheel a little bit
from leaning too far forward and ended up a little farther back in the pack
than I wanted. From there the pace was fast, as people started racing for the
single track. Nate surged forward and Brian caught his wheel. I latched on and
knew this was the move but as we hit the front I fell into 4th wheel
with a rider between myself and Brian. I didn’t think anything of it. But when
we hit the single track, Nate gassed it 100% and gaps started to form.
Unfortunately, one of them was behind Brian and all I could do was watch as it
opened up to about 10 seconds.
Nate and Brian were just out of sight by the time I was able
to make the pass and start to close the gap, about 15 seconds to make up. I
started going as hard as I could sustain. And even harder on the straights. I
knew that was the move and that catching them would take everything I had. But
in that situation, it’s either ride solo for 3rd, or give it
everything you’ve got for a chance at the win. But I knew that if I could catch
them, it would both be an amazing feat, and the beginning of the end as I would
be cashed. I tried anyways. I pulled them to about 5-8 seconds, but just couldn’t
bridge. That’s basically the story. I went as hard as I could and could never
catch them. Hats off the Nate and Brian, between their battle and holding me
off, we opened up a serious gap back to 4th.
But besides the effort and the race, I have to mention how
fun that single track is up there. I always forget about it, but it really
flows nicely and is well built. It has some surprisingly technical sections and
some super-fast flow sections. But for some reason when I think about the
course before the race all I remember are the fire roads. But I had so much fun
ripping the single track. I had a really good rhythm going. My timing was
perfect, I was hitting the corners just right and stringing them together even
better which is something I’ve struggled with a little. In Iola I was 100%
focused, to the point where I barely remember the race, in Rhinelander, I was a
notch below that, so I got to enjoy it a little more. But at the end of the
day, 3rd for me. It was enough to keep the overall for now. But Nate
is looking strong and Brian is just a race down, and there are a hand full of
other guys who will no doubt come on strong in the next few races. It’s cool to
have the lead for now, but it won’t be easy to keep it. But I’ll be racing as
hard as I can to keep it, you can be sure of that.
After Rhinelander it was time to switch gears a little bit.
I went to Iowa for the Memorial Day races, specifically (and only) the Snake
Alley Criterium. Snake Alley is hands down my favorite crit. It’s very well
suited to off-road racers because the tactics and strength required are
similar. Go as hard as you can, then keep going. I came into the race
specifically making sure I had fun. I have been a little tired and run down
between work and training so I needed something to put some fun back in it. I
showed up and signed up on site, last row and only 20 laps to get to the front
and see how much money I could win.
I had a good start, but you always get caught up on the
snake. I stayed patient and made passes when I could and saved energy when I
couldn’t. I made passes on the climb and descent. After about 4-6 laps I was in
the front group. I was pretty gassed so I was just hanging on, but after a few
laps I was coming back on and was able to continue to follow the moves.
Eventually after some moves went it came down to the last few laps. Coming
around to see 1 to go I got forced into the inside and hit a pot hole hard. I
even commented that it was a hard hit, just as all the air came rushing out of
my tire. So I did what any sensible bike racer would do. Keep going. I rode the
last lap, the snake and the descent on a flat. Very fun, terrifying, and good
enough for last guy on the lead lap, 23rd, and $100. Paid for gas
and entry fee, so I call it a win.
Coming up I’ve got the Mt. Borah Epic on Saturday and then
Cam-Rock WORS on Sunday to defend my overall lead in the series. Going to be a
busy weekend of travel but the legs are starting feel rested again so I’m
looking forward to see what I do. Check back for how that goes. Thanks for
reading.
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