Weather was superb for another mountain bike race. It was warm but not uncomfortable and the bugs are still not a problem. I had never been to Willowdale State Park before and there is certainly a lot of fast swoopy terrain there. More technical terrain would probably help me in my placement but I was pleased with being 8th out of 26 in Masters(50+) Sport (Category 2). Final posting could be slightly different but that is what was posted at the race. Although I only saw John Plump in front of me at the start I finished only 40 seconds or so behind him so that was encouraging, definitely a step up from my fall cross racing in the back of Cat 4 races.
I keep screwing up by not turning on my Garmin at the start - doh! Turned it on about half way through the first of two laps, I think the total mileage was about 15. Race was pretty similar to the last, fast start, fall in line on the single track, then start passing as things opened up. The mix of fireroads helped with providing ample passing opportunities. No crashes for me was very unusual! Followed a fellow old guy racer for the last half a lap and then passed him on the finishing 1/2 mile or so of fireroad. The race scene was excellent overall. The start was a bit of a clusterf..k since everyone lined up on their own well past the starting line and we all had to back up which took a while. First results were on a big video screen linked to a computer. Sounds good in theory but the racers from all categories were mixed together and noone really understood what they were seeing - printed results that they posted were much better.
MRC associates (racing under other affiliations) at the race included John Plump, Gary David, Todd Prekaski, and Abel Tomkinson. Fellow MRC riders David Deitch and Michael Condon were registered but I did not see them (I think I met David while cross racing in the fall but I don't think I have met Michael). Chris Pare was registered but his son had his first pitching outing so hopefully he enjoyed watching a baseball victory instead! I think others were interested in this race but the cap was placed at 400 and registration filled up a few weeks back. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Weeping Willow
Re: Weeping Willow
Results are up on the EFTA site and I moved up two places. Now I finished 6th out of 24 finishers, am very pleased with that.
Re: Weeping Willow
I'm 20PoundSkull at cyclowhat.com.
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michael todisco
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Re: Weeping Willow
Nice results Gumbo! Sounds like you had a good race. Podium is getting closer.
I did have this race on my schedule but opted to do a long ride on Sunday in prep for Pat's Peak 12 hour solo race. Also I was involved with the RTB running race Friday and Sat and was a bit sleep deprived.
Are you planning to do Pat's Peak? There are standard XC races plus the 6,12,24 hour events.
I did have this race on my schedule but opted to do a long ride on Sunday in prep for Pat's Peak 12 hour solo race. Also I was involved with the RTB running race Friday and Sat and was a bit sleep deprived.
Are you planning to do Pat's Peak? There are standard XC races plus the 6,12,24 hour events.
"Disco Inferno"
Re: Weeping Willow
I don't know about Pat's Peak - I have never done any endurance racing and have certainly not prepared for it. The standard xc is a possibility but I am aiming to race the previous weekend and at some point family weekend events will need to take precedence. Mostly I am planning on doing races located in MA but depending on how things shape up I may go out of state.
Nice job with RTB - I did the fall one for 3 straight years until I finally convinced myself I am not much of a runner. Have you done the Pat's Peak 12-hour or other races there before? If you did how do you like the venue?
Nice job with RTB - I did the fall one for 3 straight years until I finally convinced myself I am not much of a runner. Have you done the Pat's Peak 12-hour or other races there before? If you did how do you like the venue?