I had so much fun at the Island Lake race and talked about it off and on all week that I think Jimmie was itching to race. He was down in Brevard, NC riding on some awesome trails and wasn't able to race at ILRA. We made a last minute decision to make the trip up north to the western side of the state to race on one of our favorite trails in Michigan.
After Jimmie raced the Lumberjack 100 a few years ago we made a short trip from Big M to Arcadia, MI and discovered the awesome single track at the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve along M-22. The trail is fun, fast and flows real well.
The race started at the community center in downtown Arcadia. It was a little cool that morning (but warming up) and there was still a slight chance for rain. After we picked up our packets we got our gear on, lubed the chains and headed out for our warm up. We rode the beginning roads of the race. Based on how things were going to start I figured on a hammer fest at the start.
I lined up near the back of the group next to Kati Krikke. I told her that my monies on her for beating Sue Stephens. We lined up and we were off. All of us in the first group stayed together almost entirely on the roads and the pace was surprisingly slow at first. It was sort of a mutual role out pace. As we approached the entrance to the dirt roads, the surging began. I hung on for as long as I could but unfortunately I had to watch the group ride away. Ah in the back...love it there. Nothing but work to catch up to anyone. I spun along the suck out your momentum sandy roads until I spotted Erin Vicary. I set my sites on her wheel and very slowly reeled her in. I pulled up next to her and it turns out she was waiting for the quickly approaching group of male racers. We latched onto their wheels for some fast pavement riding and again I shot out the back after a short period of time. Maybe I need to road race some more.
I didn't catch up to Erin again until just before the single track and rode behind her for about 1/2 of it. The last couple of races I've done have helped me determine my current weaknesses and one of my them was taking it's toll on me so I decided to just enjoy the trails and have some fun while I lost site of the competition. Eventually I passed Melissa Ryba on the side of the trail letting approaching racers go by. I didn't expect to see her again. She was way ahead on the dirt road sections. Again, maybe I need to do some more road racing.
Once I exited the single track I checked my computer to see how much further I had to go. I rode on some fast two-track and thought about how much it reminded me of the Great Deer Chase in Calumet, MI. There was a whole bunch of two-track in that race. I came to a hard left that sucked all my speed away and I had to work back up to a good pace for the remainder of the race. I pulled a couple of guys along the last stretch of road until they sling-shot around me and sprinted for the finish.
I was happy with the race all in all. Jimmie finished 8th and I finished 5th; Jimmie was closer to the first place time in his class than I was. Unfortunately Kati didn't beat Sue, but it's early in the season yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment