NMBS @ Windham Mountain

Racing this weekend went ok. Arriving the night before in Windham, NY was great, and we stayed at a cheap and decent motel with a diner. The next morning at 8am was our race, so after a pre ride and registration we went to bed.

Starting out at 8am proved to be very hot as the sun was shining directly on the course and there was little shade anywhere. Temperatures were in the 80s with a lot of humidity. The semi-pro field shot off and quickly became bunched up at the first entrance to the woods, making everyone except a few lucky ones walk their bikes. The course was a big climb, and then a big descent as most USA cycling courses are. Settling in midpack I was taking it easier than normal as i didn't want a repeat of what happened at the Raccoon Rally two weeks ago. The downhill was awesome, and friend Shane's mom was a savior int he feed zone when i lost a water bottle somewhere in the woods on the second lap. I ended up 18 minutes back from the race winner and not last, but not feeling tired and wishing i had pushed a bit harder. A lesson learned for MT Snow this weekend.

The short track went ok, but was cut short as they pulled myself and about 8 others. Apparently we were about to be lapped but this was not true, and i feel that the officials made a bad call as we were only 1/3 of a lap back 3/4 through the race! It makes me contemplate doing the short track at MT Snow, although i didn't warm up which i think would have helped, and the course thee is slightly longer....we'll see...

In the expert 19-24 class Reagan Woodall won followed closely by Shane. And in the Expert short track Corey got third. Brian Martina did awesome and got a big win in the 25-30 year old expert category, so at least some people from WNY did well! Apparently Mike Festa from the blue mountain race got third in that category but i didn't get a chance to say hi and ask him when he is coming to race with the semi-pros!

I had a chance to speak with Barry Wicks about possibly purchasing his big boy bike at the end of the season, and Jeremiah Bishop after a close second place finish in the pro short track about Harrisonburg, where i am heading on Wednesday for a job interview! Both guys were super nice and Bishop said Harrisonburg is the best kept secret riding destination in the country!

Info on the weekend Here