Heading out to West Virginia on Sunday morning, i was less than motivated. Feeling heavy from eating too much in the past few days, and not wanting to drive 4.5 hours to the town of Spencer were big factors. About 60 miles into the 230 mile drive i got tired and took a nap in the back of the van near Seneca rocks. When i woke up an hour later, i had the motivation and a challenge, a challenge to get there on time.
After quite the crazy drive on the twisty roads, i arrived with 10 minutes to spare. Fortunately, the race was pushed back 1/2 hour, and i could do some dialing in to my bike.
The race started and i quickly found myself in the lead, not bad, but then i thought that i had gotten lost and stopped. Soon after, i see mountain bike legend Gunnar Shogren appear. I hop on to his wheel, and soon two others join. Moving along at a decent clip i am feeling good now i realize, but keep getting dropped when the rider in front of me makes poor line choices. After catching the crazy train again, Gunnar falls and i attack. For a lap it is 3 of us and no Gunnar, then at the first climb of the 2nd lap, and one of only a few climbs on the course we drop the third rider.
The faux ralph dry tires on the bike hooked up alright in the mud, but left much to be desired, my 11t cog also stripped and that was an unfortunate scene. But everything else worked great and i was thankful for that!
The 2nd and last lap was different than the first with a series of me attacking on the short climbs and the other competitor, Jeremy sneaking back on the rolling singletrack. Leading at the end, i missed a turn and Jeremy found it before i had, gaining the lead in the last minute of the race. With no room to pass, and my 11t cog broken, it was over and i knew it was over for me. Jeremy took the win by 3 seconds and i was left to my bittersweet 2nd place. Gunnar was 3rd, 3:20 back.
Lessons from WV:
Mud tires are mandatory
Follow the locals
Drop all the other guys before the finish
Nice cash payout!
I will be back...!
Up to WNY next week to visit!
