With the family summer schedule I have not raced in almost 2 months so it felt good to get back out there. This is a Root 66 race held in Oxford, MA on some fast trails. Cat 2s went off at 2 pm and it was very hot and humid and the trails were bone dry and dusty (apparently the opposite of what conditions were last year). On the starting line there were 19 of us 50+ year olds, 17 finished. As is my tradition I did not pre-ride the course and planned on learning it as I went. Fortunately there was a long fireroad climb to start the race so I was able to pick my position pretty easily and went into the rocky singletrack 4 riders back from the leader. This let me see the lines riders were taking as I learned the 6.2 mile lap. On some turns i could not really see much at all because of the dust and dirt in the air from the first few riders but as we strung out more that was not a problem.
Not a single crash for me in 2 straight races now! However, I smashed a pedal/crank into a rock and almost went down. No damage done but a little while later I realized my Garmin Forerunner was no longer in its mount, I guess my knee sent it flying. Did not see it on the other laps and noone turned it in but I will keep my fingers crossed someone will find it and send it my way. There were 2 steep but very short hills that I had to go up on foot. I forgot my bike gloves so I went without. That was not much of a problem but sweaty palms make for a greasy connection to the bar grips - would have been more comfortable with gloves, even with the heat and sweat.
I traded places with some riders over the first two laps but had dropped a few positions. There are some sections of the course that are flat fireroad and even some old pavement for a short distance that are in the middle of the course and towards the end. On the final lap I decided to lock out the front shock and hammer on these sections and was able to retake my original position, the road riding definitely helped me with that. Also about half way through the final lap it got really dark and windy and I heard the distant thunder booms and then the sky opened up and it poured, and it was good! The rain washed all the sweat off my head and face and the air temp and body temp dropped quickly, it was incredibly welcome. That, and a gel, gave me a good kick and I finished strong, only passing riders, none catching me.
At the end my time was 1:54:02 and I took fifth place. I am pleased with that but felt I could have pressed a little harder on the singletrack. I did run out of water/HEED on the last lap even though I had almost 70 oz of it in my pack - I find it easier to drink regularly from a pack rather than from bottles. This was with even drinking some water provided by the volunteers at the start of the last lap. Next one up I think will be the Treasure Valley Rally here in MA, an EFTA race on August 26th.
Hodges Village Dam MTB
Re: Hodges Village Dam MTB
Tom just read this. Nice job. Let me know about the 50 miler we discussed today.
Re: Hodges Village Dam MTB
Jeremy - It is the Landmine Classic at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham on Sunday, September 9th. It is a Root 66 Series race http://www.root66raceseries.com/page/2-home. Registration details are on Bikereg. I am planning on the Cat 2/3 Open Marathon for two laps, 50 miles total. You need mountain biking on your license or you need to pay a one-time license fee at registration. Rob is also considering this race. I have never been there but apparently it is quite flat but with typical New England short ups and downs, roots, rocks etc.
Re: Hodges Village Dam MTB
I'm strongly considering this. I'll hopefully be coming off a long 130mi ride to Vermont the week before, so it would be good time to finish up the season with 1 last sufferfest. Although its nice that its flat!!!!
Re: Hodges Village Dam MTB
Jeremy on a MTB? Say it isn't so. No he didn't!!!
And good job Tom on the MTB race. 2 months is a long time away from racing within one season so it is good to come back.
And good job Tom on the MTB race. 2 months is a long time away from racing within one season so it is good to come back.
Re: Hodges Village Dam MTB
Nice! John R join the rest of us roadies on MTBs for this 50 miler.JeremyC wrote:I'm strongly considering this. I'll hopefully be coming off a long 130mi ride to Vermont the week before, so it would be good time to finish up the season with 1 last sufferfest. Although its nice that its flat!!!!