I entered the Novice 40-49 since this was my 1st proper Mountain Bike race. As expected I got some crap but you have to start somewhere don't you?
Anyway I did a little pre-ride with Condon and Stieger. With only 1 lap it was pretty obvious that the 1st hill right after the hole shot would be decisive. Race plan was simple get the hole shot, ride hard but not go red and see if anyone tries to get past. If they do then pin it if not just ride hard.
Race went totally to plan let 1 guy get the 1st corner but moved past him immediately and led into the single track. Had some heavy breathing behind me on the 1st half of the hill then I was on my own. From then on in it was just a case of picking my way through the earlier fields. Only had 1 dab on the whole lap when I didn't change down in time for a sharp climb. No shout out for my finish but I was happy especially with the trophy/medal which is sweet
Course was excellent super flowy. Willowdale's worth a road trip to ride.
Several other great results today for a "Road Club"
Weeping Willow
Re: Weeping Willow
Sandbagger 
Re: Weeping Willow
Cat 1 40+
Lined up behind Pare and Rowell. This time I wasn't going to let a bunch of scrubs get ahead of me to the hole shot and jam me up. When we hit the single track there was Rowell's pack with Pare hanging on the back, a little gap then the bearded dork who had inserted himself into the front row, then a little gap then me. I blew by the bearded guy on the 2nd switchback of the climb and continued to have Rowells group in sight through the single track. Then came around a corner to see Pare banging on his wheel off the side of the trail. I assumed he had a flat or something, but Leo was breathing down my neck so I didn't have time to say much more than "that sucks" or something when I went by.
We got into the 30 something traffic really early. They probably have little kids at home that keep them from training enough, and should start behind the 40's.
I hit the fireroads and drilled it to pass as many of them as possible before the next single track. I was redlined into the wind with Leo and someone drafting me. When we hit the single track I had to ease up a bit to recover, then we got seriously jammed in traffic. Some fist fights nearly broke out ahead of me after some blatently dangerous passes by the guys I was chasing. I figured they would be gone for good since I wasn't going to run some poor 30 something into a tree and have to deal with his toddler asking me "Why did you hurt my daddy?"
Just before hitting the next section of fireroad I saw Pare on the switchback behind me. This nearly crushed me, if he could fix a flat and catch back up that quickly I must really be slow. (turns out he only had to bang his bars straight) I hit the fire road and drilled it weaving through the 30 somethings left and right. I could feel Pare breathing down my neck, but didn't chance a look over my shoulder.
Back into single track and back into traffic. Following another 40 on a pass he had his rear wheel hooked by a rotten log which threw the log up into the air. I was sure he was going to go down, but the log let go when it hit his seat stays and then swung back into me. Somehow we both stayed up and finished the pass.
Through the start finish I saw Leo ahead of me. I caught him on the fire road.
"Are you Max or Leo"
"Leo"
"Hi I'm Chris"
"Oh, the one who crashed?"
"No the other one. He's a couple bikes back, and will be here soon enough"
"You look much taller on the bike"
"It's a tall bike"
And then we hit the single track climb. He was looking a little tired so I went around, kept the pace up and opened a gap.
The rest of the lap there was always someone just a turn behind me. Shawn Mottram was close and gaining for a couple miles but then he faded away. I kept seeing red and black a couple bikes back and was convinced it was Leo. Kept thinking why doesn't he just give up already. It would be better for both of us.
Mile marker 4 was depressing. How was I going to keep this up for another 5 miles? I got chills at one point, which can't be good on a hot day. I was getting sloppy, washed out one turn and bounced of several trees, but there was always pressure behind me. There was a guy in red/black for the last 2 miles of single track that I couldn't shake. I hit the fire road at mile 9 and gave it everythign I had but he was gaining on me. I sat up when he got close enough to draft and then saw he was a Jr and let him go. There was nobody else behind me, but I kept the Jr in sight, and actually got close to getting him at the line, finishing 6th. I was and still am shattered from this weekend's races.
This puts the MRC standings at:
Chris P 16 + 2 = 18 pts.
Chris B 2 + 12 = 14 pts
Lined up behind Pare and Rowell. This time I wasn't going to let a bunch of scrubs get ahead of me to the hole shot and jam me up. When we hit the single track there was Rowell's pack with Pare hanging on the back, a little gap then the bearded dork who had inserted himself into the front row, then a little gap then me. I blew by the bearded guy on the 2nd switchback of the climb and continued to have Rowells group in sight through the single track. Then came around a corner to see Pare banging on his wheel off the side of the trail. I assumed he had a flat or something, but Leo was breathing down my neck so I didn't have time to say much more than "that sucks" or something when I went by.
We got into the 30 something traffic really early. They probably have little kids at home that keep them from training enough, and should start behind the 40's.
I hit the fireroads and drilled it to pass as many of them as possible before the next single track. I was redlined into the wind with Leo and someone drafting me. When we hit the single track I had to ease up a bit to recover, then we got seriously jammed in traffic. Some fist fights nearly broke out ahead of me after some blatently dangerous passes by the guys I was chasing. I figured they would be gone for good since I wasn't going to run some poor 30 something into a tree and have to deal with his toddler asking me "Why did you hurt my daddy?" Just before hitting the next section of fireroad I saw Pare on the switchback behind me. This nearly crushed me, if he could fix a flat and catch back up that quickly I must really be slow. (turns out he only had to bang his bars straight) I hit the fire road and drilled it weaving through the 30 somethings left and right. I could feel Pare breathing down my neck, but didn't chance a look over my shoulder.
Back into single track and back into traffic. Following another 40 on a pass he had his rear wheel hooked by a rotten log which threw the log up into the air. I was sure he was going to go down, but the log let go when it hit his seat stays and then swung back into me. Somehow we both stayed up and finished the pass.
Through the start finish I saw Leo ahead of me. I caught him on the fire road.
"Are you Max or Leo"
"Leo"
"Hi I'm Chris"
"Oh, the one who crashed?"
"No the other one. He's a couple bikes back, and will be here soon enough"
"You look much taller on the bike"
"It's a tall bike"
And then we hit the single track climb. He was looking a little tired so I went around, kept the pace up and opened a gap.
The rest of the lap there was always someone just a turn behind me. Shawn Mottram was close and gaining for a couple miles but then he faded away. I kept seeing red and black a couple bikes back and was convinced it was Leo. Kept thinking why doesn't he just give up already. It would be better for both of us.
Mile marker 4 was depressing. How was I going to keep this up for another 5 miles? I got chills at one point, which can't be good on a hot day. I was getting sloppy, washed out one turn and bounced of several trees, but there was always pressure behind me. There was a guy in red/black for the last 2 miles of single track that I couldn't shake. I hit the fire road at mile 9 and gave it everythign I had but he was gaining on me. I sat up when he got close enough to draft and then saw he was a Jr and let him go. There was nobody else behind me, but I kept the Jr in sight, and actually got close to getting him at the line, finishing 6th. I was and still am shattered from this weekend's races.
This puts the MRC standings at:
Chris P 16 + 2 = 18 pts.
Chris B 2 + 12 = 14 pts
-Chris Busick
Re: Weeping Willow
Now THAT is a race report. Congrats on the Sunapee Stage Race. I did it last year, let's just say I didn't fair as well on day 2.
Re: Weeping Willow
RUSS I EDITED FOR YOU
^^^^ What he said ^^^^ That is a really fun course, but between the endless singletrack and very quick mixing of fields (due to a big climb near the beginning) it was VERY difficult to move up through traffic. I definitely learned this the hard way. I had a decent start, dangling off the back of the front 4-5 guys who I knew would comprise the final podium and thinking to myself I have no business being here but at least if I hang with them for a while it will increase the gap to the guys behind me. Felt good on the first climb (side note: if you really want to feel like a can of spam just look at Wilichoski’s KOM time on that climb) and was surprised to be catching up to the front group in the twisty singletrack, even making some moves on Rowell on the punchy climbs. Feeling pretty good, railing turns, and then BAM! I hit a little sawed-off sapling stump and lose the front end and go sailing. Body check is OK, but now my bars are twisted 45 degrees and my multitool is back at the car, bummer. I managed to straighten the bars through brute force and ride the next hour plus while hoping the steerer isn’t dangerously loose for the next impact. Watched a bunch of guys go by and got to work picking them off. It’s a real bummer not knowing if the rider you’re chasing is in your field or not though! At one point at the end of lap one I could see Busick right ahead but unfortunately although he was only about 10 seconds in front there were probably 5 guys between us. I concluded after trying to gain ground that each guy is worth about 5 seconds in the singletrack LOL. Apparently he wanted to not be caught by me more than I wanted to catch him because I gave a dig for few minutes but when I was gassed from the effort he was actually further out of sight. Well done CB. The rest of the race consisted of chasing 2-3 guys who I knew were in my field and were attainable goals, stopping at one point because my bike started shifting like crap and the guy behind me graciously pointed out that my quick release was loose (must have happened during the crash). One of the chasees was Matt Mitchell. Caught and passed him (after graciously sucking his wheel on an interminably long power section with headwinds) before a long section of singletrack. I extended my gap back to him by probably 20-30 seconds over the course of that singletrack before spilling out onto the last maybe < 1 mile of fire road. With no one in sight ahead or behind I eased slightly until I was within sight of the line, but then a glance back and the diesel is stoked and Mitchell is closing. Kicked it for a sprint and got him by 2 seconds on the line. Me 9th, Him 10th. Looking forward to the results being posted to begin the unhealthy obsession with analyzing lap times (haha). I’m really enjoying racing the same field at these MTB races since it’s pretty easy to tell if you are having a good day as we are now getting to know each other and our individual strengths. And yes Rowell won. Again. The MRC Kenda Cup rivalry is in full swing though! We’re calling a truce and taking the next race (Millstone, VT) off and continuing the rivalry for the last 2 Kenda Cup races at Gnar Weasels and Barn Burner. Stay tuned.
^^^^ What he said ^^^^ That is a really fun course, but between the endless singletrack and very quick mixing of fields (due to a big climb near the beginning) it was VERY difficult to move up through traffic. I definitely learned this the hard way. I had a decent start, dangling off the back of the front 4-5 guys who I knew would comprise the final podium and thinking to myself I have no business being here but at least if I hang with them for a while it will increase the gap to the guys behind me. Felt good on the first climb (side note: if you really want to feel like a can of spam just look at Wilichoski’s KOM time on that climb) and was surprised to be catching up to the front group in the twisty singletrack, even making some moves on Rowell on the punchy climbs. Feeling pretty good, railing turns, and then BAM! I hit a little sawed-off sapling stump and lose the front end and go sailing. Body check is OK, but now my bars are twisted 45 degrees and my multitool is back at the car, bummer. I managed to straighten the bars through brute force and ride the next hour plus while hoping the steerer isn’t dangerously loose for the next impact. Watched a bunch of guys go by and got to work picking them off. It’s a real bummer not knowing if the rider you’re chasing is in your field or not though! At one point at the end of lap one I could see Busick right ahead but unfortunately although he was only about 10 seconds in front there were probably 5 guys between us. I concluded after trying to gain ground that each guy is worth about 5 seconds in the singletrack LOL. Apparently he wanted to not be caught by me more than I wanted to catch him because I gave a dig for few minutes but when I was gassed from the effort he was actually further out of sight. Well done CB. The rest of the race consisted of chasing 2-3 guys who I knew were in my field and were attainable goals, stopping at one point because my bike started shifting like crap and the guy behind me graciously pointed out that my quick release was loose (must have happened during the crash). One of the chasees was Matt Mitchell. Caught and passed him (after graciously sucking his wheel on an interminably long power section with headwinds) before a long section of singletrack. I extended my gap back to him by probably 20-30 seconds over the course of that singletrack before spilling out onto the last maybe < 1 mile of fire road. With no one in sight ahead or behind I eased slightly until I was within sight of the line, but then a glance back and the diesel is stoked and Mitchell is closing. Kicked it for a sprint and got him by 2 seconds on the line. Me 9th, Him 10th. Looking forward to the results being posted to begin the unhealthy obsession with analyzing lap times (haha). I’m really enjoying racing the same field at these MTB races since it’s pretty easy to tell if you are having a good day as we are now getting to know each other and our individual strengths. And yes Rowell won. Again. The MRC Kenda Cup rivalry is in full swing though! We’re calling a truce and taking the next race (Millstone, VT) off and continuing the rivalry for the last 2 Kenda Cup races at Gnar Weasels and Barn Burner. Stay tuned.
Last edited by pace21 on Mon May 18, 2015 2:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Weeping Willow
MORE PARAGRAPHS PLEASE CHRIS P
I feel like I'm trying to read an Apple EULA or something.
I feel like I'm trying to read an Apple EULA or something.
Re: Weeping Willow
Great job guys. But can someone explain these categories to me.... I go look at the race results and I see:
Veteran, Veteran II, Sport, Master, Senior, Clydesdale (I get that one), Expert, Elite, Novice Veteran I, etc.
Veteran, Veteran II, Sport, Master, Senior, Clydesdale (I get that one), Expert, Elite, Novice Veteran I, etc.
Re: Weeping Willow
Speed/Skill level:
Slow = Novice = Cat 3
Medium = Sport = Cat 2
Fast = Expert = Cat 1
Ludicrous speed (or plaid) = Elite
Age:
Senior = 20-29
Vet 1 = 30-39
Vet 2 = 40-49
Master = 50+
Slow = Novice = Cat 3
Medium = Sport = Cat 2
Fast = Expert = Cat 1
Ludicrous speed (or plaid) = Elite
Age:
Senior = 20-29
Vet 1 = 30-39
Vet 2 = 40-49
Master = 50+
Re: Weeping Willow
Millstone is fantastic riding. Its a bit of a drive for us down here in MA, but well worth it.
Re: Weeping Willow
Looking at the times is interesting, especially since sport raced the same number of laps as expert.
Looks like at least for 40-49, sport is nearly as competitive as Expert.
You would think the traffic on this course would have been just as bad in the Sport race, but Sport was much more competitive here than it was at the last race.
Expert 40-49:
Winning time: 1:42:26, faster than any other Expert category (slower than the winning Sport Jr, Sport Senior and sport Veteran 1 winning times)
Chris B 1:46:13 6th
Chris P 1:46:15 9th
Sport 40-49:
Mike C 1:46:19 4th (would have been 7th in Expert)
John S 1:50:43 13th (would have been 16th in Expert)
Sport Vetran Women
Julianne N 2:08:04 2nd (would have been 3rd in Expert)
Beginner:
John S 0:53:30 1st (projection 1:47:00) 7th in Sport, 8th in Expert (Not sure projecting his first lap time is fair. I know Smudger would have gone faster on his 2nd lap since this was his first proper MTB race and he must have learned a lot in his first lap)
Looks like at least for 40-49, sport is nearly as competitive as Expert.
You would think the traffic on this course would have been just as bad in the Sport race, but Sport was much more competitive here than it was at the last race.
Expert 40-49:
Winning time: 1:42:26, faster than any other Expert category (slower than the winning Sport Jr, Sport Senior and sport Veteran 1 winning times)
Chris B 1:46:13 6th
Chris P 1:46:15 9th
Sport 40-49:
Mike C 1:46:19 4th (would have been 7th in Expert)
John S 1:50:43 13th (would have been 16th in Expert)
Sport Vetran Women
Julianne N 2:08:04 2nd (would have been 3rd in Expert)
Beginner:
John S 0:53:30 1st (projection 1:47:00) 7th in Sport, 8th in Expert (Not sure projecting his first lap time is fair. I know Smudger would have gone faster on his 2nd lap since this was his first proper MTB race and he must have learned a lot in his first lap)
-Chris Busick
Re: Weeping Willow
Some people do say divorce is so expensive because it is worth it.scottc wrote:Millstone is fantastic riding. Its a bit of a drive for us down here in MA, but well worth it.
I'm not going to risk it for Millstone though. It's Katie's birthday.
-Chris Busick
Re: Weeping Willow
Maybe it'll work its way into a VT non-MTB race weekend.
Re: Weeping Willow
Thanks Chris B. that saves me all sorts of time analyzing the results.
Re: Weeping Willow
The benefits from sandbagging just keep on coming 
Just received the following mail:
Just received the following mail:
Hi there, Weeping Willow Novice winner!
The Kenda Cup East would like to invite you to Kenda Cup East #3, The Millstone Grind, on May 31th in Barre, VT:
https://www.bikereg.com/root-66-millsto ... b-marathon
Should you elect to upgrade to the next category up (Cat 2) on the heels of your glorious victory, you may use the coupon code "" during registration to receive
a free entry to the race!
(If you don't own an annual USAC License, you'll need to buy one for $10)
If you've already registered for the race in this category, let me know and we'll give you a refund. If you try to register someone who isn't a novice
winner from Weeping Willow with this coupon, karma will give that person a flat tire at the buggiest part of the Millstone course.
Thanks,
Kenda Cup East Staff
Re: Weeping Willow
What a great race venue! I saw you all posted race reports, so here's mine. Some of it is a little fuzzy, but now that it's all over, it's all good!
I don’t like to push the first mile, knowing I’ll regret it for the next two hours, so I tucked in behind the first five and we gapped the other twelve racers before the first climb. The Senior and Vet Sport classes race together, so it’s hard to know where you stand unless you’re in the lead. I assumed they were all over 40 (Vet) so I had my work cut out for me. The five took off up that first hill and I thought, well fine, I hope you all blow your wads, I’ll see you in the second lap. I kept a couple of them in sight and caught them on the twisty downhill as they were braking all the way down. ugh! I pulled in front just in time to hit the double track where they quickly tucked in. I slowed down, hoping they'd pass so I could tuck in. They obliged and promptly pulled away. Never saw them again.
I had a huge pity party going on in my head for the rest of the lap, which was crashed by somebody who caught me at the finish line. She shouts out come on girl, let’s go! Which would have been a lot more inviting if she’d pulled in front of me, but she didn’t. She tucked in until the first climb, where she took off, spinning in her granny. Sure wish I had a granny. But you’ve got big wheels, she said. But I want a granny, I said. I kept her in sight and passed her right before the next double track, where I was able to stay ahead, don't know how, probably the big wheels. Distanced her in the next single track by the lake and reeled in another (unfortunately, from expert class). Wow, maybe I don't feel so bad! So I kept kicking it, hoping to catch some more, and whaddya know, I reeled in two more around beginning of mile 8, passed them on a climb in single track and left them behind pretty quickly. Holy Carp, maybe I will keep racing for the rest of my life!!!
Flying through the single track, a tree grabbed my left handlebar, the bike went quickly sideways and I went flying and, LANDED ON MY FEET!!!! Rushed back to my bike, with others not in sight, but my chain was off. ugh. I got it back on with the other two still not in sight, and tried to pedal, but the chain dropped off again. ugh, They rode by with me tugging to free the chain from behind the small ring. Oh well, I still have about a mile to catch them. I rode by another girl (another expert) which gave me another dash of energy, thinking I’d gained one more spot. Got to the final double track, put it in the big ring, which is really only used as a rock guard, locked out the fork, and tried to stand up. Yeah, right, you're gonna stay right in that saddle, my pretty. So I rode as fast as I could, just to ward off all the women roadies I imagined were gaining on me, and ended up second in Masters class (40+ for women). The winner was one of the two that passed me with the chain thingy, so that was close.
I don’t like to push the first mile, knowing I’ll regret it for the next two hours, so I tucked in behind the first five and we gapped the other twelve racers before the first climb. The Senior and Vet Sport classes race together, so it’s hard to know where you stand unless you’re in the lead. I assumed they were all over 40 (Vet) so I had my work cut out for me. The five took off up that first hill and I thought, well fine, I hope you all blow your wads, I’ll see you in the second lap. I kept a couple of them in sight and caught them on the twisty downhill as they were braking all the way down. ugh! I pulled in front just in time to hit the double track where they quickly tucked in. I slowed down, hoping they'd pass so I could tuck in. They obliged and promptly pulled away. Never saw them again.
I had a huge pity party going on in my head for the rest of the lap, which was crashed by somebody who caught me at the finish line. She shouts out come on girl, let’s go! Which would have been a lot more inviting if she’d pulled in front of me, but she didn’t. She tucked in until the first climb, where she took off, spinning in her granny. Sure wish I had a granny. But you’ve got big wheels, she said. But I want a granny, I said. I kept her in sight and passed her right before the next double track, where I was able to stay ahead, don't know how, probably the big wheels. Distanced her in the next single track by the lake and reeled in another (unfortunately, from expert class). Wow, maybe I don't feel so bad! So I kept kicking it, hoping to catch some more, and whaddya know, I reeled in two more around beginning of mile 8, passed them on a climb in single track and left them behind pretty quickly. Holy Carp, maybe I will keep racing for the rest of my life!!!
Flying through the single track, a tree grabbed my left handlebar, the bike went quickly sideways and I went flying and, LANDED ON MY FEET!!!! Rushed back to my bike, with others not in sight, but my chain was off. ugh. I got it back on with the other two still not in sight, and tried to pedal, but the chain dropped off again. ugh, They rode by with me tugging to free the chain from behind the small ring. Oh well, I still have about a mile to catch them. I rode by another girl (another expert) which gave me another dash of energy, thinking I’d gained one more spot. Got to the final double track, put it in the big ring, which is really only used as a rock guard, locked out the fork, and tried to stand up. Yeah, right, you're gonna stay right in that saddle, my pretty. So I rode as fast as I could, just to ward off all the women roadies I imagined were gaining on me, and ended up second in Masters class (40+ for women). The winner was one of the two that passed me with the chain thingy, so that was close.