Madison Ga.
First time at this venue. Rain was predicted for Sunday morning so I worried about that all week. It only sprinkled and the trail was perfect. Such a fun place.
Not knowing my competition I led into the woods at the start. It was a touch slick in places so I kept the pace safe. Second and Third passed me on the first road section so I got on the end of that train until second blew up near the finish of the first lap.
First and I had a great race, never more than a bike length apart. He asked me on the last lap if I was tired so I felt like he was on the edge. As we approached the finish I heard him click down a gear and I knew it was on. I stayed seated and pushed hard, passing him with a bike length to spare for first. I will admit to some antics as I crossed the line. I was pumped.
Little did I know that I would slide from that lofty perch on the next two rounds.
Hells Trails
Ah the lovely lime rock crap that is Gatorback. I've raced here since my first dirt bike race in 1974 and have grown to hate this place. This MTB race was no different. The course is hard enough as is but this time the promoter (who doesn't race anymore) put in a tricky off camber turn in the first section. I fell trying to clean it in practice. Just a scraped knee and pissed of was the end result.
On the bright side I was glad to see I could crash without breaking something. Still, it put a damper on my race.
The Race
Got off to a good start, hit the above mentioned corner, walked it, and was immediately in last place. So fun. I caught and passed a few eventually ending up 4 out of 7. I had a problem with the steep short climbs which was kinda a surprise. I've been working on my leg strength but it didn't seem to help.
Conyers
One of my favorite courses of the series. It was dry and perfect for the pre ride Saturday afternoon. Not so much after the soaking thunderstorm Saturday night.
Eight of us line up in the 50+ sport class. I of course am the eldest. Two have just made the jump from 40 sport to our class so I've got 13 years on them. Boy that's weird to type.
Off we go up the long muddy start straight, 4 of us bar to bar heading into the first section of single track. I back off and end up in 6th. We freight train most of the first lap, just trying to feel out how slick it is. The real race starts on lap 2.
By this time first has blown up and fallen back, second has become first and put a gap in, and I'm dueling with 3 and 4. We pass each other back and forth. Sometimes I'm in second then back to fourth. They are all gaping me on the two big climbs, I mean like 10-15 bike lengths by the time we get to the top. I am fully gassed by the time we clean each hill.
As we complete 3/4 of the last lap second attacks and manages to take 3rd with him. I get caught behind a cat 1 women with no place to go around and they manage to pull away a little. I catch back up to them on the last climb only to be dropped at the top.
I came out onto the open field leading into the finish, I could see 3rd but didn't have much hope of catching him. Still I tried, missing his wheel by 10 seconds. So fourth again.
I was unusually frustrated after this race. I whined to The Lovely Wife and anyone else who would listen. I am embarrassed by this lack of zen on my part. I didn't leave anything out there so I should be satisfied. But I'm not.
Maybe I was tired. My HRV4T was low all week, telling me to take it easy, which of course, I did not. So I'll recover this week and see how it goes in Tsali. It's supposed to rain all weekend up there, oh joy.
