Ice Weasels

[onegeardoug]

Colin & crew basically setup the same great course as past years, the tall barriers in the spectator section, a set of hop-able short barriers and everyone’s favorite: the Flyover. This may be the only course in New England that actually needs to use the flyover in order to make better use of a very small piece of land. They added some single track in the woods, with rock wall barriers at the entry & exit; which proved troublesome for many racers (including Chris Pare).

By the time the SingleSpeed race started, the course was a complete wreck. It was nearly 100% mud, and as Stefan said, all types of mud were represented. There were long stretches of energy-sapping peanut butter. The turns were greasy slick mud. There was a 100+ foot stretch of split-pea soup type mud just past the finish line. Surprisingly, the best part of the course was the wooded section, which was hard-packed and tacky.

I’m definitely with the majority, who believe that this is the best race of the year. The vibe, the course, the crowd, the whacky dudes with the microphones, the lack of USACycling sanctioning….all make for a good time.

I came into this race 4th place in the Zanc SS Series. The top 2 spots weren’t in play, but 3rd place was within my reach. Jeff Walker wasn’t at this race, but had 31 points on me in the series. 5th place gets 35 points, 6th place gets 30 points. My goal is obvious. The only problem is that there are several ringers to steal my points. Mark McCormack and Chandler Delinks were both doing the double, back-to-back: Elite then SS. Shawn Mottram was also doing the double, but he hadn’t really been a factor this year, so I was less worried about him. So with Mark, Chandler, Shawn, Curtis Boivin and Mike Rowell all in the front row with me…I had to beat one of them. A difficult task.

I had a good start into 3rd or 4th. Mark basically disappeared off the front within the first few turns. Shawn went by me and I was in 6th almost immediately. I kinda thought he’d fade and I’d be able to bring him back. I was basically chasing Curtis at this point, though. There were several sections where he would power away from me, primarily in the peanut butter after the flyover (both under & over).

My only big mistake was trying to take a dollar off the tall barriers on the first lap. I was riding well and feeling good, and made a split-second decision to pluck it with my left hand. When I did, my front wheel hit the barrier and violently spun into my left knee. I have wicked contusions on my left knee and right ankle as a result. It hurt like hell for a lap or so, but then the cold or adrenaline took over. I donated the dollar to Frances Morrison’s nationals trip fund, along with $20 for a waffle.

Curtis and I continued to battle. I would bring him back a bit in the woods, and I passed him on a couple of laps in the soup at the finish, or at the barriers. He didn’t need any points, so he even took a few liquid handups. I was okay with that. I was hoping he’d stop for a waffle and an interview with the microphone… We had this back & forth several times, until the bell lap, when he basically rode away from me. And I finished 6th. One point off the series podium. Mike & Curtis finished 4th & 5th. Mark, Chandler and Shawn took the podium. I heard that Mark really enjoyed the SS race, so maybe he’ll get the bug.

Another fun year of CX and SS. Ciao. Or maybe I should say “tot ziens”.

[cbusick]

Beginner's race.
Eric Bauman got the hole shot followed by Marty Walsh. I was in third, but then slipped back to 6th behind Chris Goguen JF Fullum and Chris Pappas. At the flyover it was Eric with a huge gap and then our 5 man chase group. I passed Chris Pappas in the post flyover mud, then snagged my shorts on my seat dismounting in the ravine but managed to hold my position. JF had to stop and pick up a $100 stick he'd kicked up into his frame, which put me in 4th going into the woods. Chris Goguen messed up the barriers somehow and I moved into 3rd. The first half of the lap it felt like people were going so fast. Now it was feeling like they were all slowing down. I passed Marty by taking the path less traveled to the right of the bush and then started pursuing Eric. He was much faster remounting on the flyover, and I lost a little time, but quickly got it back, and passed him in the power mud and opened a good gap. I loved the woods section and I think clearing the stone walls and the logs helped me hold my lead. I lost time in some of the soupier turns around the trees, but could push the gap back out on the long muddy sections. At this point it was just me holding of Marty.

I crossed the finish line, pretty sure I'd won, but a lot of the spectators didn't know, and were still cheering Marty on to catch me. I had to ask the announcer "It's over, right?"

[ahamilton]

Firstly, Doug, too bad for the one point miss. But I'm sure you had a lot of fun despite not getting on the podium.

Secondly, Chris I have two questions about your post:

1. I thought I knew the names of all the Goguen kids, so where did Chris come from?

2. Was the race over, and did you win?

Congrats to all you mud hounds.

[cbusick]

1) I don't know he's always near me in the Cat 4 races. Lives in Franklin Mass, maybe Chris P knows
2) Yup, got to stand on the top step (stump) of the podium.

Now I get to start getting my butt kicked in Cat 3.

[cbusick]

Video of my race:

https://vimeo.com/55496552
Sorry it's hard to see at times with all the mud on the lens.

[scottc]

FANTASTIC! Things really mudded up a lot after your race.