Wild 100 - 2004

Elk River Touring Center www.ertc.com
August 14, 2004
Year 4

For the last 3 years, I've done the Wild 100 mountain bike race with Trainwreck (TW). We've had a variety of cohorts in our adventures in pain, and this year was no different. Jen's been here for the last 2 years, and we had a few new first timers. Brian Lennon and Mike Ryba are CAMBA members from Cleveland, and Jesper from NC.

Mike, Jen, Jesper, Brian, Trainwreck, me

This race can only be described as EPIC. No matter what happens, the format of the race guarantees you will be on the bike longer than you want to be, going over some of the roughest terrain you can imagine for the entire day... or longer. You are given a trail map of the Slatyfork, WV trails at 7:00 AM with a collection of checkpoints scattered all over the mountain. None of the racers know where the checkpoints are until the maps are passed out. You have to hit the checkpoints in order, but the route is completely up to you. The only rule is you must stay off pavement except where specifically marked as legal. To succeed in this race, you need orienteering skills, rocking technical riding skills, good fitness and stamina like you've never used in a race before. The race is divided into multiple categories, with solo and team formats, as well as first timer and over 50 categories. The basic Wild 100 has 5 checkpoints, and should work out to be about 100K, there is also a 100+ category for those riders that think 100K on a mountain bike is just a little 2 easy. The 100+ adds an extra checkpoint and somewhere between 5 and 10 extra miles.

In first 2 years, we did 64 miles in 12.5 hours and 60 miles in 10:40. Last year they introduced the 100+ and TW and I did 70 miles in 11:28. We've been rained on every year except for the last one, where it didn't matter, because so much water came up from the trails, that we were actually wetter than if it had only rained from the sky. After the first year, this event became my main training goal. Nothing like an all day event, riding beyond your technical and physical limits to drive a training program.

Last year, unlike previous years were I felt almost like baggage, Trainwreck and myself were at similar levels. He still smoked me on any technical stuff, but I'd catch him on the roadie like fire road climbs and descents. We worked out our path choices together and pretty much hung together, trading places in each of our strengths through out the event even though we raced solo categories. This year, I've trained more but I've done almost no mountain biking. So my plan was to ride my own race, and let TW ride his. I knew where I'd pass him, and were he'd catch me. I figured we'd finish with comparable times if the courses were anything like the previous years.
Travel

The 5 Clevelanders hooked up at 10:00AM on Friday, and we split the group into 2 vehicles. 6 hours later, with a stop at Fat Tyre Cycles in Elkins for tubes and lube, we arrived and unloaded into the cabin. Trainwreck showed how resourceful he was by fabricating a power cable for his CD player from some bike parts and speaker wire, so we had tunes and could start prepping for race day.

We hung a CAMBA banner on the porch, and got almost immediate recognition. Brian and Tiffany Kenny came by and we chatted a bit about trails and the event. They're Cleveland area riders. Brian races expert, and Tiffany rides pro for Ford MTB team. She's raced some of the 'cross races I did last year, and I'm pretty sure she was at one of the Covered Bridge races I did. This is their third year doing the race.

Last year, I rode part of the Prop's Run trail on Friday evening to clear my head and legs from the driving fog. This year, I hadn't planned on it until we arrived... and I started to get the itch. Plus I had a feeling they would take us down Prop's Run during the race. It used to be a premier downhill trail, it was closed the first year, we'd climbed it the second, so it was about due. I suited up, and off I went... with no water, tubes, tools, or a realistic idea of how long the trail was.

I realized how silly I was when I got off the road and onto the trail proper. So my plan to climb to the top, and then descend it changed to only going for about an hour long ride at a moderate pace. I've done hour long cross races without a bottle, and I wasn't going to press this ride. Nothing strenuous, I'd save that for the race. So I started climbing. Prop's Run looks like it was an old rail bed, it has a pretty constant grade. Of course, the trail follows along the bed, but has more terrain than just the constant grade. I climbed 4 miles in about 40 minutes, turned around, and ended up with an hour ride of 8 miles. I felt good, and seemed OK negotiating the technical sections. Of course, I was still not going race pace.

When I got back, Trainwreck and whipped up some excellent Buffalo meat spaghetti for us. So we ate, and started prepping our stuff for the race. I did a superficial bike cleaning, with special attention to make sure the chain was cleaned and lubed well. Slatyfork is wet always, and the weather forecasts called for rain on race day, so the wet lube was in order. Unfortunately, in this process I dropped half my power link in the grass. Fortunately, I had a spare in my collection of "way to much stuff".

The organizers will haul a "care package" up to the 4th check point for the riders. We can put whatever we think we'll need in there, and pick it up when we get to CP4. Lights are a recommendation, but I also pack "way to much stuff" in there. A change of clothes, extra pair of shoes, tire, tubes... and more (a spare cassette, but no tools to install it... only because it was there.). With our bags packed, and our CamelBacks loaded for the race, lights out at 10:00. 5:30AM will still come WAY to early.
Race Day

At 5:25 my alarm goes off, and Brian is out of bed, dress and in the bathroom almost before I could shut the alarm off. He's racing already! We found out that breakfast was not included in the cabin cost (which was also more than we expected). I was about ready to spend the extra cash on breakfast, but everyone else had brought enough to share and get my engine fueled up. So I'm moochin food before the race starts. Breakfast, drop the CP4 bag, and get ready to race by 6:45 for the pre-race meeting.

The temperature is somewhere in the mid 50's with the dew point somewhere in the high 60's I think. It's damp and cold, and the forecast is for rain. I have a base layer, arm and knee warmers and SmartWool socks to start with.Then if it does rain, I'll still be able to stay warm enough. Hopefully, it warms up before it rains.

TW and I are doing the 100+ again, so we get an extra checkpoint and some extra milage. At the meeting, they split the 100+ from the 100 riders, and we see who we're competing against. Chris Scott has won this event 2 of the 3 years we've done it, Brian Kenny is in our field as are some other familiar faces from previous years. The directions are only the road from the lodge to the base of mine road, and from the lodge to the base of Prop's are legal. There is also a little note on bushwhacking across the mountain. It's legal, but be careful, as the some of the terrain may be nasty. We get our maps, a quick check of where we're going and we're off.

CP 1

For some reason, the start this year was a bit off. Normally there is a whistle or something, this year it's more of a "get you're maps, and go." With the strange start, the group hits the road sparsely. CP 1 is up a long gravel road climb on Mine Road to USFS 135, then take the saddle loop trail to the check point.

TW and I hit US 219 and we swap a couple of pulls on the 2 miles of pavement to the base of Mine road. Mine road does about 2000 foot of climbing in about the first 4-6 miles, so I hit a nice spin, and settle in for a long climb. I basically set my heart rate to 160-165, and a nice cadence, and about 40-50 minutes later, I crest and get some relief. The gravel road continues to roll in a general upwards fashion to 135, which continues to roll to the trail head.

On the way up I'm alone in the fog. I catch a glimpse of about 10 riders up ahead of me, and 1 or 2 behind me, for the most part, it's sit and spin. About 2 miles into the climb, I'm passed by Chris Scott and a train of two other guys, I tried to jump on, but I'm not going to do Chris's race and survive. He beat me by about 2-2.5 hours last year. I last about 30 seconds before I realize this and back it off to my own pace. A little later another pair pass me, and when I jump on, the second guy pulls up next to his leader. OK, so no relief here.... then a guy on a single speed passes me... he's flying, but working like a dog. He catches the pair and they chat bit while the leave me behind.

Back alone, I make the turn onto USFS 135, and re-catch the SS rider. He can't spin this part as well because of the rollers, so we chat a bit about the race, while he can keep up, then I leave him on some descents.

For the most part, I have the map folded so I can ride and scope it out as I go. I can pull and store it in my back center pocket and I check it occasionally here to verify the best route. I wanted to get a map folder so I could have it readily available at any time, but didn't move soon enough. At the entry to Saddle Loop I stopped for a second to make sure I've got the right trail. Brian Kenny, the SSer and another guy catch me here, and I follow them onto the single track. Brian said TW was pretty far back... "for now" I think. He'll catch me soon enough.

Saddle Loop trail is marked as "Extremely Difficult, very tight, technical single track, often hike-a-bike, nearly impossible in wet conditions." Fortunately for me, it's mostly uphill, so we're all off the bike in the same, sections and I can mostly keep up through to the CP. I give my name and number, and strip off my arm warmers. Check the map for the way, eat a bite and away we go again.

CP 2

CP 2 is on Bear Pen Trail. I take Boundary Trail (Extremely Difficult) to Bear Pen. TW catches me within about 10 minutes of the checkpoint and I follow him for a while. We passed Brian Kenny taking a natural break, and TW drops me like a rock on the trail as it tips down. Brian and SSer pass me again, and I'm alone to Bear Pen.

At Bear Pen, we have a choice. A moderate trail to USFS 135 which we can take to Gauley Mountain trail (moderate) to CP2, or Bear Pen which is rated Difficult. It's longer, but easier on the gravel road, it looks MUCH longer, so SSer and I choose the trail. Another guy went to the road.

I'm doing OK, but am left alone again pretty quickly. At the intersection of Bear Pen and Tea Creek trail, I stop and check the map again, to make sure I take the correct trail. Tea Creek trail is impossible (we've done that before), so I want to stay AWAY from that. About 6 other riders catch me here, including CAMBA Brian, a concensus is reached and we're away in a 6 person line up the next climb. Turns out we lined up in the correct order, because it was 5, then 4, then I slid out my rear wheel and couldn't get going again.... hike-a-bike, and the other three climbed away. Brian was third, and was a bit surprised when I wasn't behind him anymore.

I caught them a little bit later, while hoofing the bike up another climb. A bit of complaining about my having a 32 cassette instead of a standard 34... my own stupid fault, I should have known that I needed that gear. Then I managed to climb ahead of that group, and into CP2.

At CP 2, I saw Tiffany Kenny just getting ready to pull out... and wondered how she beat me there? She didn't pass me, and yet... She told me TW had just pulled out. So I'm not too far behind him... limit my losses on the trails, and make it up on the fire roads.... Removed my leg warmers, stuffed them into the camel, check the map and I'm away again. CAMBA Brian pulls in as I take off... last I'd see him for a while.

CP 3

The end of Bear Pen is a ridable descent to Gauley Mountain, take a right there to the base of Tea Creek mountain. Tea Creek Mountain is a hike-a-bike climb to a huge rock garden that looks like you're on the moon, then a short descent to a shorter rock garden. Then a 4-5 mile tight descent to the CP. That descent is the main reason TW does this race. I've had a good day on it, and a bad day... I was hoping for good today. Fortunately, it was earlier in the race today, so I was not quite as tired as the other times.

When I get to Gauley Mountain, I see Tiffany turn left on the trail... where is she going? I turned right, for the Gauley Mountain descent (moderate) and look for the connector. I passed a guy with a flat on the way down, he must have been finishing up, cause he caught and passed me shortly afterwards. He stopped at the turn off... and I verified it as I rolled up. Across Gauley Connector, to Right Fork. Nasty Technical trail to the base of Tea Creek Mountain. I caught the flat guy again there, and directed him again. I went first then, and he was fine behind me for a bit. We popped out into a field with no markings. I looked around, and knew to go toward the right, the guy says "Are you sure, or is it a guess?". Third time on this trail didn't steer me wrong, and we found the trail in seconds.

Up Tea Creek Mountain for some crazy hike-a-bike. For some reason, it all seemed shorter this year. I was into the rock garden in no time, and through. I hopped in the bike as soon as we were through, and rode to the next garden. I walked that section, even if it was marginally ridable, because I watched a guy bite it hard there on our first year out. Once through there, I was back on and away for the DH.

The descent felt good, though it was long, my arms and legs had just about enough standing and braking. I started behind the guy I had gone through the rock gardens with, and just tried to ride my own pace. I kept telling myself that my technical skills are not bad, I'm not really slow, I'm just not as fast as the best riders. Stay safe, and get through at my own pace, and I'll pick up places where I can. At the bottom, I caught the guy I crested with and no one passed me... so a personal victory there!

As I came out of the woods into the parking lot at CP3, TW was there pulling out (another victory there). He pointed me to the station, and said "nothing but a F***ing road ride from here." I told him to go, and I'd see him at the top.

12:00, 5 hours of riding to do 31 miles. I stripped off my base layer as the temp must have been close to 70 by now. The sun was out, and I was warm. I checked my camel and it was still more than half full. I had finished my bottle of Accelerade, but still wasn't drinking enough. I'd been eating pretty consistently, but I'd have to concentrate a bit more on that.

Time for a quick lunch. CP3 had sandwiches, bananas, chocolate pudding (NO BANANA PUDDING??!!), and cookies... chocolate covered grahams... ok, it's a reasonable sub for the banana pudding, I guess. I ate and drank quickly, filled my bottle with PowerAid and was back on the trail in about 10 minutes.

CP 4

10 Minutes, TW had a 10 minute head start on the climb up Bannock Shoals This is an old lumber rail bed. It was a constant grade climb for about 3 miles that ended on USFS 135 right where the Saddle Loop Trail from CP 1 is. We then took 135 back to Mine Road, then to Crooked Fork Trail, which was an out and back section on another constant grade descent, with about a mile of moderate single track about half way to the CP.

For this climb, I put my HR at 140. I didn't want to over do it, with lunch, and quite a bit of climbing still left to do. I know I can maintain 140 for a long time normally, but I don't know about after 5 hours in the saddle. I ended up doing about 6-7 mph, and spin away.... again.

On the way up, about 6 or 7 riders pass me coming DOWN. Then I figured out Tiffany's strategy. She did the gravel road between 1 and 2, and beat me into 2 even though she was behind me at 1. Then the left turn had her climb back to 135 and reverse what I was about to do to get to 3. She then could do the same thing I was to get to 4. Interesting strategy, it added miles (lots of them) but they were over easier terrain, like gravel fire roads instead of Difficult or extremely difficult trails.... and I figured (correctly) she was still ahead of me.

All the way up Bannock Shoals... spinning and seeing no one in front of me... or behind me. I hit 135 and still no sign of TW. On 135, the grade is a bit lower, so I can push a bit faster. I'm just starting to get discouraged, when I see TW up ahead. That gave me an extra gear... cause I had made up some serious ground on him. He said it gave him a victory also, cause I didn't catch him until he was off of the Bannock Shoals trail. We rode a little together, but eventually I pushed ahead in my roadie like manner..

Down to Mine Road. As I came down the hill, I almost missed the turn (135 T's into Mine road on a descent). That's when I realized I may have some brake issues going on. I had way to much pull, so the wet must have helped me wear a good deal of pad down. I made the turn and away to Crooked Fork.

Again, I was checking the map while rolling, and had my landmarks picked out. I made the turn, and started pushing down the gravel trail. Every piece of single track left was marked moderate, and there was only about 4 miles of that before I had to descend down Prop's Run to the finish. So I figured, I'd be fine if I could put enough time into TW on the road sections, he'd just be able to catch me on Prop's and we'd finish about the same time.

Then I hit the single track on Crooked Fork... and had to do more hike-a-bike. Some of this was OK, but I think it should be marked as difficult now. TW caught me almost at the end of this section, I stopped for a nature break as he came by. I popped out of the single track section, and there was Tiffany again. She said we had a few miles to go to the CP, so I started my gravel road descent... and caught TW again.

I got into the CP about 2 minutes before he did. Filled my camelback with water, ate another chocolate covered graham or two, and lubed my chain for the push to the finish. I dumped anything I didn't think I'd need for them to carry back to the lodge with my "Bag of way to much stuff". The last thing I did was ask Joey (from Elk River) about the path between 5 and 6 and not using the road. He said it would be an easy win then. "So I have to go back over the mountain on Mine Road?" and he affirmed. Before heading out, I asked about Chris Scott, who'd hit CP 4 at 12:30! It was then a little past 2:00. Some ibuprofin, and I'm headed back out Crooked River Trail.

CP 5

I left TW at the CP, because I had to get through 2 more miles of ST to get to CP 5. Out Crooked Fork to Mine Road, then descend that 4 miles of 2000 ft we climbed at the beginning, to the Power Line trail. 1 mile on on Power Line and I'm there. So I set me HR to 140, and start spinning to the ST section.

Pretty uneventful, except for the hike-a-bike through that same section, and passing a deer skeleton right in the middle of the trail. The skull and spine were still connected, and the pelvis was a bit further down the trail. The bones were still red, so it couldn't have been that old, even though it was picked pretty clean.

Just as I was coming out of the ST section, I saw Marshall, another 100+ rider that has kicked our butts in all three of the previous races we'd done. He was heading down to CP 4, while I was a good way out... so I could beat him today, barring anything bad happening. I also saw CAMBA Brian here again. Spin it up the gravel climb to Mine Road, then hammer the descent. My brakes were getting worse, so I was being a bit tentative on my speed. Still I needed time here, without wrecking. Looking at the map, I found my landmarks, found the trail, and started in.

CP 5 was the extra checkpoint for the 100+, and I saw no one climbing back out. I figured the only way from 5 to 6 was an out and back up Mine Road. Since no one was climbing out, they must have reached Crooked Fork before I got out... that's a huge lead. I wasn't going to be picking up many places now. I just had to work to keep from loosing any.

At Power Line Trail head, there was a sign that said 1 mile to the next trail, so I checked. 60 miles, so I should see the CP at 61 miles. I knew Brian Kenny and another 100+ guy were ahead of me... by a bit less than I was in front of Marshall. CP 5 was the extra checkpoint for the 100+, and I saw no one climbing back out. I figured the only way from 5 to 6 was an out and back up Mine Road So the other two guys must have gotten back up Mine Road and past Crooked Fork before I got off of it... it was possible.

On Friday night, Jesper had told us that these trails for CP5 were "a lot of fun" when he did them in June. This was the first time I'd done any of them, so I was really hoping Jepser was right. There were a couple of steep climbs, that I had to hike, but overall it went well.

At the CP, I asked the guy which trail was the least technical to get me back to the road. My legs were dead, and I couldn't do the cadence changes necessary to power up the steep climbs. It was a mile of trails no matter which of the three ways I could choose from. He pointed and explained the way out, it would make me climb a bit more of Mine Road, but I hoped the steady cadence would be OK. I said I'd either thank him, or cuss him out at the end of the race depending on how it went. I asked how many guys were ahead of me... and found I was 8th into CP5. So, if any 100+ guys passed me, I could figure my placement. Ate a bit quickly, and was off for the last tough section.

CP 6

A short while after I rolled out, I thought I heard someone else coming into the CP. I wasn't far out, but I figured I had the climbing ability to stay away... I hoped.

This was about the easiest place to quit the race, I've ever seen. I hurt, and was pretty tired. It was only a 2 mile road ride back to the lodge, and yet a long climb up to the top of the mountain, then a long descent down Prop's run to the next CP. The easiest path to CP 6 would have been 3 miles of road between 5 and 6. The only legal trails were up Mine Road to the top of the mountain, across a couple of peaks, then down Prop's run. I've never DNFed a race, and I was not about to start now. Besides, I was right where I should be... middle of the pack with the toughest riders I've ever raced against.

Onto Mine road... and again, I could only muster a 140 hr, still not bad after 8.5-9 hours of riding. I was going about 6 mph, dropping to about 3-4 in some of the steeper sections... and it hurt. As I was climbing up to the Powerline, I was trying to figure my placing. Once passed the trailhead, I was suffering like I've never suffered before. I had a good lead on any rider I saw, and Marshal was the first one coming down. So I knew TW had gone into the woods, and would be working his way out and up the climb soon. How many more were between Marshal and I? I had no idea. This was the only part of the course I could tell for sure who I was racing with.

Still spinning, watching the odometer. at 4 or 5 miles, I should get to Crooked Fork trail, and the climbing would decrease... it took forever. I saw 4 100+ riders (I assumed they weren't 100 riders), going down Mine Road. So 5 or 6 riders still behind me... don't let anyone pass me.

Eventually, I got to Crooked Fork... FINALLY. A couple of 100 riders were there trying to figure out their next move, they asked if I was sent back up, trying to ride pavement or something. I explained I was riding 100+ and the extra CP as at the bottom of the hill (assassins!, like Alpe-D'Huez) I didn't stop, just pointed them in my direction, and kept going.

At this point, I felt like total garbage... so I ate 2 cliff bars, a gu and drained my PowerAid bottle, and drank a ton of water. Then I started to feel better, especially with some fire road descents.

I'd been by the upper end of Prop's Run twice. Once the first year when it was closed, and once the second year when we climbed it. I remembered it being in a clearing on the right, and being well marked. I really hoped my memory was valid. The food helped a lot, and I hit a nice rhythm on this part of the road. I started picking up riders looking for the trail... and dropping them. They took my pace to mean I knew what I was looking for, so they followed. One guy asked about something that looked like a possibility, I knew it wasn't, didn't say anything and just kept going. I think he took my hint.

Good thing I had taken the ibuprofin at CP4, my knees were extremely sour. I couldn't imagine what kind of pain I'd have been in without the Advil.

There was the most incredible view from one location on this climb... here is a shot from the spot in the morning, but at 3:30PM, it was also clear and beautiful...

I passed a power line cut down the side of the mountain, and suddenly thought about a bushwhack... of course, I was at the top of the mountain then, and the fastest way down for me was still Prop's Run. But I knew then that TW had bushwhacked a shorter path between 5 and 6. He'd do anything to avoid this kind of road climb again. Every year, he's suggested a trail cross cut, and every year, except the first, I nixed it, with successful results. This year, we were on our own, no one would nix his bushwhack.... nothing I could do, but head down, and keep going.

I'd passed about a dozen riders, one other rider with a 100 series number... which seemed to be how they numbered the 100+ riders. So I may be fighting with him for 7th place. Eventually, I was down to two guys on my wheel. One guy asked me if I knew what I was looking for and I told him... he asked about the descent and I described what I'd done and climbed since I'd been here, nothing super technical, but it was long... A short while later, we came around and there it was... the entrance to Prop's.

I'd done 4 miles, but really didn't know how long Prop's was. All I knew was I had to limit my losses, as some guys could smoke this, and I could only go fast. Plus my brake situation was still a bit scary. So I didn't stop at the top, but just hit it.

AND IT IS VERY LONG. I'd guess it's at least an 8 mile descent.. I know I was on it for almost an hour. I started strong, but that didn't last nearly long enough. Standing on the pedals, and trying to power through the smoother sections lasted about 10-15 minutes, then my back, arms and legs started to kill me.... but I couldn't sit on the saddle... not only was the trail to bouncy, but the hours had taken their toll, and I felt like I had instant saddle sours... and it burned.

... but what could I do. I couldn't stop and bail here, the only thing left was negotiate this descent, and then do a short pavement ride into the finish. Grit my teeth, and suffer some more. I hope my brake pads last, as I've got to use them to adjust my speed on this descent. I'm sure I was slowing down considerably as the run continued. Eventually, 4 or 5 guys passed me, including the one 100 series rider. And they went by like I was on a tricycle. One came up so fast, he surprised me into a fall... in the damn stinging nettles.

Eventually, I got to some stuff I recognized.... ok 20 minutes or so to go... then another guy catches me right before the bridge. He passes me, and I look back, no one else for a while. First creek crossing, and he's looking to stay dry... it's almost 'cross season. Hoist the bike, and through I go. We meet another guy coming the other way, looking for the CP. He says, it's supposed to be by the river... I should have sent him up the trail... instead, I said "There are two rivers, it's past the next one." We cross the next one, and they get ahead of me. I pop out into the lot give my name and number, and track stand long enough to get the OK.... almost home.

CP 7 (The Finish)

The road climb takes you out through a lumber yard road, back to route 219. Then 1 mile on 219 back to the lodge. The 2 guys I took through the creek crossings left me for dead... because I was, and there was no way I was sprinting with them for place since I didn't expect them to be in my class anyway. At 219, I could look back down the road, and saw no one. So I relaxed. No one to worry about. Marshal and TW were still behind me so I should have 8th place locked up... nothing else to do now but get in. Whatever place I got, was what I got.

I rolled into the drive, and cut behind the lodge, to the final check in. As I came by the food tent, I heard "Yuengerlinger, All right, Nice job". And I about fell off my bike! Only TW calls me that, and he was under the tent, showered, changed, eating and having a brew with Brian and Tiffany Kenny and the other 100+ guy! WTF! How did he beat me by THAT much?

I checked in for the finish and went right over to the table to get the story. Turns out he asked the guy at CP5 the right question, using the correct magic words, and was told about a bushwhack that beat everyone (including Chris Scott this year). TW effectively followed the second creek we crossed at the bottom of Prop's that runs parallel to the road from CP5 to CP6. So while I was riding 17 miles over the mountain, he bushwhacked and walked 3 through the Elk River. Not an easy Bushwhack, but I beat him into CP5 by about 5 minutes, and he beat me by 1 hour and 3 minutes at the end and helped another guy that followed him beat me also.
The final

Well, I called it at the top of the mountain, but I forgot by the time I got to the finish. I guess about half the riders were told about the creek, if they asked the right question. Chris Scott was into CP5 first, went over the mountain, and came in fourth place in the 100+ category in 8.5 hours... incredible time, but he probably did the same ride that Tiffany did, using USFS 135 to move between checkpoints very quickly. Tiffany won the womens solo 100 with a time of about 8.5 hours, and probably rode about 90 miles total.

TW came in 10th place, in 9.5 hours. Very nicely done, and after calming down a bit (and he did clean my bike for me) I offered to buy him a drink. I ended up in 11th place, 79.24 miles in 10:33. I haven't seen the cp results yet, but my guess is there was a guy in front of TW and behind me, that I heard get to CP5. Then TW and his buddy came through while I was climbing back up to Powerline trailhead. Those three took the creek. Marshall climbed over the mountain, like I did, and I beat him by another hour. He was livid that the bushwhack was allowed and even said it was against the spirit of the race. I think it may have been fairer if they had put a checkpoint about half way or more up Prop's. Then the difference between a ride over the mountain and a bushwhacked would not have been so lopsided.

There were 2 100+ DNFs, so that accounts for 14 of the 15 that were announced at the beginning. So either there were only 14 100+ riders, or another guy came in behind us that I didn't learn about. The other 3 riders I saw were either DNFs or 100 riders looking for a creek bushwhack.

Jen and Jesper finished strong with a nice bushwhack down 1000 feet to the creek between CP 4 and our 6. Jen got 4th place in Women solo, and Jesper got 3 in first timers. 64 miles in about 11 hours. Here is a GPS trace of their route over the mountain. (That looks like a nice toy for the bike...) Jen's report is at the CAMBA website.

CAMBA Brian took a wrong turn looking for tea creek mountain (exactly like Jen and Jesper only MUCH longer), and got the prize for the longest trek of our cabin, at 83 miles, in 11.5 hours. A very good time considering his milage.

Mike had the bad luck day. 74 miles was about the normal 100 riders distance without a bushwhack. Mike tore up his arm a bit and came in with it taped. He had a flat about 3 miles from the finish that he had trouble fixing. He eventually got it and finished in 12.5 hours. Still a very respectable first effort. It beat my first time at 12.5 for 64 miles, and that was a boat load of help from my friends.

In hind sight... I should have followed Tiffany out Gauley Mountain Trail. Play the game to my strengths, but I didn't think about that until it was to late to do it. I'm still happy with my race. The bushwhack thing is still pretty disappointing. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't think of it, because of how people found out about it by asking the right person the right question, or because I lost three places because I went the hard way around. Oh well, that's the way it goes. Another hard lesson learned in Slatyfork, WV.

Cross on the Lake 2004

Honey Stinger - Spinergy

August 25, 2004

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Just like riding a bicycle...

The first cyclocross race of the season. Of course, this wasn't REAL 'cross weather. 70 and partly cloudy... it hasn't rained in a couple of weeks. But it doesn't matter... all weather is 'cross weather, and the season is young.

Last year, I did this race as my first ever cyclocross experience... and did pretty well. The course didn't change significantly from last year. We started next to the road, with a long straight start/finish section. doubled back for the first set of barriers. Made a right turn and headed up the hill. Another quick right, into the first downhill through the trees. We turned back to climb half way up the hill, then snake across the field toward the stair run up. At the top of the stairs, a long straight section to the amphitheater terraces. We drop and climb the top terrace twice, then head down the hill to snake around through the stage area before heading back to the start finish straight. An interesting feature here is slotting through a 2.5 foot gap between 2 8x8 posts heading into and out of the start/finish straight. The course is about 3/4 of a mile long... so the repeated barriers, climbing and run ups become the issue.

Now that I'm a seasoned bicycle racer and 'cross vet (!), I actually had some expectations that I would be able to podium this thing. I even decided that 45 minutes wasn't long enough... so I planned on doing the B race for the podium, then joining the A race for "fun". I know... fun is not normally the feeling used to describe cyclocross.

I arrived at the venue at 8:30, and noticed many more cars in the lot than last year when I was the only cat 5 racer to show up. Honey Stinger had done much more advertising this year than last, and it paid off. The C race was off with 5 cat 5 racers including 1 woman, and a couple of juniors including a 10 year old.

The schedule is the C-race with Cat 5/cit/juniors. Then the Cat 3-4/women B race, and then the Cat 1-2-3 A race. Yep, 3-4's in the B's... well, maybe podium was a bit ambitious for this cat 4 racer. But then, without goals... you have nothing.

I saw a lot of guys I knew from last years circuit, I even talked a pair of them into racing B's... the event was sanctioned, but if they let me race with the cat 3 field, they'd let these guys race up with a one-day.

So a warm-up while the C race is going, and the course is OK. Ryan and I are representing Chaos. Pat and Linda Miranda, Brett Davis and Norm Kreiselmeier from Snake Bite, Brett and Norm are on singlespeeds. There's John and Jeff from Honey Stinger and Phil Hines is also there... from last years cross season. Paul Salipante from Square Wheels is there and he gives me the run down on who to watch from the Case students. From where I sit, it's pretty open... though my money is on Brett and Phil with way to many unknowns.

B Race

So cyclocross boils down to the start.... you need to have a good start so you don't get tied up in traffic and inexperienced riders going into the first obstacles, which was going to be the first turn between the posts when we were stuffing 20 guys in a small space, and then getting over the first barriers. After that the hill climb would start to spread the field out.

"Racers ready", and I start messing with my computer! I am out of practice. I know better than this! My goal was the hole shot, and instead I'm pushing buttons as we head out. So I'm behind about 5-10 guys through the posts, and start to move up as we approach the first set of barriers. I'm though and back on OK, then hit the hill. I'm still in a group, so I just run up the hill for the first time. I was able to ride it in practice, with guys in front of me, I didn't want the risk.

Out and around to the stairs, shoulder the bike and run the stairs. Remount at the top and get a little recovery. 4th place here behind a speedgoat, Brett Davis and Phil Hines. OK, I'm OK. I look down and I see my HRM at 196! My max used to be 182, at least before the Summit fall challenge when I saw 208. So either something is wrong with me, or my HRM is squirrelly. No other riders around me close enough to make a difference... and I feel fine, except that I know I'm over my LT (it is 'cross!). So I turn the HRM so I can't see the numbers. I don't want to know what it says until I get home and download the data. What I don't know, won't scare me.

Through the first lap, and it's time to get settled in. Pat Miranda from SnakeBite is leading me around, every time I try to come around, he either accelerates, or I don't have it. I start to wonder if he's playing the team game on me with Brett up front. It's possible... the front three are opening a big gap and I can't do much to close yet. Meanwhile I'm trying to let Pat protect me from the wind also. We were together for at least a lap, when I got around him on the start/finish straight. He encouraged me on. Big head or what, but he was right behind me going through the first barriers where I screw up the remount... don't screw up a remount... it hurts. You're supposed to land on the inside of the right thigh. I ended up landing a little further up, somehow ending up with the saddle in my stomach (after a few other areas were hit). I got readjusted, but Pat got around me on the climb while I was trying to clear my vision. Now I'm in 5th.

I passed Pat somewhere and was back in 4th place. Then one of the trips through the amphitheater I misjudged the climb and went down. Back up quick enough, but the chain came off my front ring. So I messed around with getting it back on, and was passed by at least two guys. So now I've got space to make up. Chain back on and I'm off chasing...

At some point Norm from SnakeBite went by me... and opened a nice gap. so I'm 6th or 7th with the 2 SnakeBite single speeds in front of me. Those guys are killing me, I'm hoping their legs blow up. I picked up the first place pretty quickly and am into 6th... and slowly open up the gap behind me.

Last year, it seemed my technical skills helped tremendously in the races. I have reasonable skills dismounting, running the barriers and remounting. I shoulder the bike pretty well, and feel pretty smooth in the carry. My mountain biking helps my control in the dirt and mud, so I use those to maintain and advance my position. I also ran a lot playing soccer. This year, my fitness and strength are better, but I've done almost no running and very little mountain biking and 'cross skills practice.

Jeff from Honey Stinger stayed in front for an appreciable time, and I was starting to get concerned. I was watching him and kept slowly bringing him back on the dismounts. Then going through the first set barriers, I clipped the last one and laid out completely. I bounced back up, and again had to lift the chain onto the front ring.

I eventually caught Jeff and passed him going up the stairs. I think he was blown because I had a big gap going into the amphitheater (about 600 meters past the stairs). 5th place.. with not much racing left.

The way the 'cross courses are laid out allow you lots of areas to see where everyone else is. It was pretty obvious that the front 3 were gone from me, never to be seen again. Norm was still a ways up ahead but I wasn't sure if I could catch him with what was left. I was holding Jeff off, so I was pretty sure 5th was mine. The race is figured on time, but after 5 laps or so they take the average lap time, then set the lap counter. So after 5 laps, they say we have N laps to go... and they start counting down. With about 7 or 8 to go, I start to second guess my choice to race in the A's. What was I thinking? I'd forgotten how hard these things are! No way will I survive another hour of this!

At one point, the course doubled back on itself and I saw Ryan cussing at the top of the hill... his race was over with a blown rear tire...

I'm still trying to catch Norm, hold off Jeff, and wondering if I'll race with the A's when I realize I may get lapped by the leader. The race is over when the leader crosses the line, so you finish the lap your on, and that's it. With about 3 to go, I decide I need to not only hold off Jeff, but also the leader so I can finish on the same lap as they do. 2 to go, and it's looking like it might be tight. Jeff is still a ways back and they are still behind him, but they start ringing he bell a little earlier than I'm comfortable with. So I start pushing more.

I realized here that Norm is too far ahead to catch, so my race now is to not get lapped. Down and around, and into the final stretch, and I'm through on the lead lap. I make the turn and through the barriers when I think I hear/see the race end... I keep looking back, but Jeff is nowhere to be seen... I realized that he must have gotten caught just about at the finish and won't be chasing. I won't catch Norm, so i sit up and just cruise in. Trying to save something for the A race.

Fifth place out of 20. Not what I wanted, but I can see areas to improve. It was the Speedgoat, Phil Hines, Brett, Norm and me. I know there were some Cat 3's in the field and I did beat some of them. I think if I could have stayed on the bike, including the bad remount, I could have been in with a chance at 4th. I still might not have had it, but the gap looked to be about the time I wasted in the three mishaps. I do need to get some running and more practice before the next race though. NEXT RACE!! THAT'S NOW! Eat, drink, mix up some Accelerade for my jersey pocket, and get down to the start for the A race.

A Race

OK, I'm now racing the Cat 1-2-3's. Who's in the field? Paul Martin, Rudy Sroka, Ernie from Speedgoat. These guys are incredible. The rest of the field is just really good and really fast... Brent Evens, Mike Goreman, some other Lake Effect guys... and I am spent. Fortunately, Brett Davis from SnakeBite is also racing again... we're the only fools though. Seeing Paul, I ask Brett... "What do you think? 4 or 5 laps down from the winner?" His response... "At least, the idea is to finish and don't be last." My goal is to finish... not more than 5 laps down... even if I am last. No expectations, since this is my second race of the day.

"Racers ready..." and this time I was at least technically ready, if not physically. The whistle, and I'm content to be the back marker heading into the first turn... in fact I was impressed I stayed with the field through the first barriers and up the first hill where I start to fall off.

OK, so it's my own race, and I've got my goals. I'm relaxed and content to be the back marker... I settle in to a comfortable pace (relatively speaking, this is still 'cross). I'm just concentrating on being smooth through the dismounts, and staying steady. No mistakes, this is practice... Brett has a gap on me, then there is the rest of the field ahead of him.

I think I held off being lapped for 3 laps. Right at the top of the stairs, the leader comes through. At that point I started racing by watching who was catching me, and giving space where they could pass. Paul Martin was the second guy by me right before the amphitheater. Going through he caught a peddle and went down... the same place I had in the B race. I didn't see the fall because I was concentrating on my line, but I did pass him before he was up. I passed Paul Martin! Small victories... it didn't last long.

OK, keep it smooth, continue on. I haven't quit a race yet, and I can finish this one... even if it is ugly. But it wasn't. I was holding the gap to Brett pretty constant, and I started to feel pretty good. It helped loads to have people on the course cheering for me. So I kept it up. Before I knew it, it looked like there was someone between Brett and I. Tim Edwards from Honey Stinger... it's possible I won't finish last! Now there is motivation... so I started to chase him. Not burying myself, not taking huge risks, just steadily try to pull him in. I was still getting passed, but now I was racing... ahead and behind.

I eventually caught Tim.. and opened a nice gap. Brett was still maintaining his space, and I was maintaining mine. 2 laps down on the leaders. Then 3... That's OK with me... it just means 3 laps I don't have to do. Hold off Tim, try to close on Brett... well, as long as I'm not last, I've exceeded my goals!

At the finish, I was only 3 laps down on the leaders... and I wasn't last. A personal victory...

Post

The B race was about 10.5 miles in about 48-50 minutes, the A race about 14 in 1:08. I'm still setting goals for the Bike Authority series. I'd like to win the B points series... and get at least 1 win. The B field is supposed to be Cat 4/5, sport race. I think a top 3 in the series is a realistic goal... and I'd be disappointed with less since I got fifth last year without 'cross experience. A lot depends on where Brett Davis and Phil Hines race... and how often they show up. I think Phil is a cat 3 now, so that might help. My plan is all 6 races with consistent finishes. So it's time to get more practice, and more 'cross specific training.

Zoar Raod Race - 2004

Stark Velo

August 8, 2004

Geoff Zylstra has been gunning to win this event since he raced it last year as a 5. Of course, we took a couple of risks to his completing the plan by A) Catting up to 4, B) racing hard on the Tuesday (where he came in second in a break) and Saturday (Blossom Challenge)prior to the Sunday race. Recovery was a big issue. I'd decided to ride for Geoff before we got onto Chaos, and my plan hadn't changed. My dream of being the super domestique!

I've been talking to Geoff about putting a 12-25 cassette on for climbing races, especially after getting dropped at Chippewa Creek. He's been against it, saying it wasn't necessary. Maybe not, but I'd rather have, and not need it than the other way around. The decision was made when I talked to Dan Guggenheim on a training ride about it. He's the Chaos strong man and won Zoar 5 last year. I asked him what he thought about it, and he gave me the OK. So I ordered it, and put it on. If I didn't use it, I was only carrying a security blanket. OK by me.

We also had Ryan Williams show up, so the team had 3. I had been talking with Dave Steiner also, and hoped to recruit him for some help, if I could. My plan was to help out where I could, and watch for any breaks that went. If a break started that had representation of a few key teams, I'd try to bridge to join it. Else, given the opportunity, I'd kill myself for Geoff.

Sounds fun, huh? Here's why. Geoff is a climber. I can climb, but I usually am right behind Geoff when it gets steep. Close to equal abilities in all else, I could work to give him the advantage. The Zoar profile has 2 significant climbs. The first is a roller with nothing real steep, but hurts a bit at the end. The second climb is longer and steeper. It would be manageable, except for the last pitch. You get close to the top, and turn into the steepest section. So it's hidden around the corner, and it looks like a wall when you see it. After each climb are long descents where I can usually make up ground.

Four 10 mile laps. I'm hoping to hang in for the first 2 to get the lay of the course. I'll be looking for breaks in 3 or 4, and then be ready for the sprint up the last climb, and the decent to the sprint finish. Granted of course we didn't blow our legs out at Blossom. Geoff and I drove to the course together, and he was a bit worried about his recovery. I had the advantage of a 9 hour sleep, and reasonable meal and relaxation, so I was slightly confident in my legs. It's another 2 race weekend, which has been trouble in the past, so we'll just have to wait and see.

The Race

And my problems start. We arrived at 9 for a 10:00 start. Somehow I managed to get in line for the 1 port-o-pot at the exact wrong time. Not that the line was long, it just took some people FOREVER to finish up their business.... net effect... no warmup for me. I got about 5 minutes before the start. Bleach.

Fortunately, we had a 2 mile neutral rollout. Unfortunately, I must have stepped in something bad again. I could not get my right cleat clipped in. For the first half lap, I was riding with my right foot free. I was so preoccupied with it, I ended up behind a larger rider as the road tipped up for the first climb. I like to think I have a pretty good sense of who to follow to maintain my position. And I'll switch wheels pretty quickly if I find I'm wrong. Somehow, I ended up in the back end of the group on the first climb because I was boxed in behind this guy.

At the top, I jumped around and chased back on.... still trying to get clipped in. I reattached to the front group, and FINALLY got clipped in. Now I could relax and start working our plan.

Up the second climb, and I'm starting to worry a little about being able to stick with the group until the finish. I was fading through the group on the climb. I didn't use the 25, but the 23 was definitely in the mix. The 25 was definitely comforting with the prospect of 3 more trips up that last section.

A really nice decent down to the finish line. The whole first lap was a nice recounter of the course. Once we made the turn onto the second time around, the pace slowed up a little while the group started thinking about the next set of climbs. Our average was about 21 mph for the first lap.

The second lap was pretty uneventful. Stark Velo seemed to be running the pace in a little local turf action. My legs still didn't feel great on the climbs, but I was staying in the group. Ryan was riding well, until we hit the steep section of the last climb, where he'd fade a bit through the pack. I gave some encouragement as I passed, and it was down through the finish for lap 3.

The plan was working fine. No breaks and I had a good idea of how the course would go. I was eating and drinking fine, and intended on dropping one bottle at the finish before the fourth lap. Easy locale to retrieve it, and a little less weight to carry up that final steep. I was concerned about Geoff, as he seemed to be further back than I was, which is where I wanted him. I didn't think I could drop back to get him and still bring him forward.

Up the first hill, I did drift back a bit and Geoff found me. I gave a little encouragement, as it seemed I didn't come back all that far from where I was normally sitting. So I hoped he'd stay with me to the next climb. At this point I pretty much knew I'd make it with the group to the finish. The question was could I follow a break.

On the decent I moved up into the top 10 again, and we started the last climb. It's an interesting dynamic on the hill as the group rolls around you. Guys falling off the front, others moving up to the front. I ended up staying about 10th-15th wheel, but I think most of the wheels changed around me. Geoff went over in front of me (GOOD!), Ryan had real trouble getting over. I gave Ryan some more encouragement, made it over the top with a gap in front of me... so I drilled it to catch back on. Not at my limit, but I was flying past some of the guys to catch Geoff again.

At the bottom, Geoff and I exchanged pleasentries ("nice climb, Geoff", "nice descent, John"), and started talking last lap plans. I really wanted Geoff closer to the front at the start of the last climb than he had been. I told him I'd help if I could. I didn't know if Ryan was back on, so we'd just work together until we found out. I dropped the bottle where I wanted and we were off for the finish.

On the back stretch, we REALLY slowed down. We had an average of 21.8 for the race, but were going about 15. Must be time to fuel up again. Goo and water... and watch the front. We did about a mile or 2 at this pace, when a Summit guy jumped and the pace picked up. I would have liked the pace to stay high over the first climb, but couldn't do it all myself. Then Ryan came around, I tried to get him to chase and attack to lift the pace. From his previous 2 climbs at the end, I didn't think he'd make it in the finish, but I hoped he'd bury himself here to try to shed some guys. Not to be, as we caught Ryan and the summit guy right before the climb.

I had a little chat with Dave, who gave me tons of confidence. "No one in the group is stronger than you are, how much pain can you take? 30 seconds more than everyone else is all you need." I didn't believe a word of it, but it gave me a good boost anyway.

So, I had no idea where Geoff was again, but I found an MVC wheel to take right to the front. He went up, I just followed. There was the MVC, a Stark Velo and 2 Kraners (?) guys together at the front. So I just sat 4th wheel and let them rotate in. up over the second climb comfortable in 4th wheel. That would deliver me nicely to the base of the last climb. I hoped Geoff was somewhere close behind me.

As we hit the climb, I could feel the roll again. I'm peeking over my shoulder looking for Geoff. Hoping he'll come around me or get on my wheel soon. He comes around shortly before the last steep section. By then we're about 20 or so back. I can't get in front of him as we hit the really steep part. I told him to "Get up there, I can't help here. GO!" and he goes hard. He opens a gap on me and crests alone (Shoot). He's behind Mike and Pat from Snake Bite, and about 10 yards in front of me.

As soon as I crest, I start chasing to see what I can do. As I catch Geoff, I tell him I'm coming and to get on my wheel, and away we go. My goal is to haul Geoff up to the Snake Bite train, I think I'm gaining... and then I'm dying, and I have to pull off (I really should have just buried myslef here). I yell for Geoff to go and grab them as I pull off, and try to find the end of our line. It turns out, I'm hauling Geoff and 2 others. Geoff leads it, while I recover a bit.

Another guy came flying by, and I yell for Geoff to get on it. He does just as the guy dies. I was able to recover even though I thought I wouldn't, so I come around, and start hauling again.

I started doing the tunnel thing here. I knew Geoff was on my wheel, and the Snake Bites were still a bit up front. No one was getting in front of us, but we weren't catching anyone else either. We had our train of 4 or 5 guys, and every time I pulled off, Geoff had to work, no one else had it. I think I did 3 long pulls, I kept trying to get Geoff on my wheel. I'd shout a warning to him as I was coming and hoped he could get on.

I pulled off again at 1K, and sat in for a bit. Then came around again around 500M. At 200M, I didn't see Geoff on my wheel, so I decided to just sprint with everything else I had. I caught 2 guys that had given up on the line and know I passed one if not both of them.

I ended up 14th out of 38 starters, Geoff was a few guys behind me in 17th, so our results didn't work out the way we wanted. I was very surprised to see that we had managed to pull ourselves back up to the lead group, as they gave us both the same time as the winner. Results

Ryan finished further back, a bit over a minute behind. He was visibly disappointed in his result. He did do a load of work this week including a 3rd place at Westlake, and I hope we encouraged him with that reminder.

Dave Steiner must have suffered a bit longer than any of us, as he finished either 5th or 6th. I really need to figure out how he climbs so well. I could have used a bit more today. I guess I've got some goals for this race next year.

Chaos Blossom - 2004

Cleveland Chaos Cycling

August 7, 2004

Since my last entry, I was asked to join Cleveland Chaos cycling team. By definition, that meant I felt obliged to do the race that they had organized. It meant a two race weekend, since Geoff Zylstra and I already had decided to do Zoar together, but you do what you have to do. A cool part is Geoff is also now on Chaos, so we'll work together for both races.

From the beginning of the summer, I had heard that this was going to be a fast course. The course is a circle going around the Blossom parking areas. No corners, only a big loop. It has no real climbs, just a long roll up and a downhill finish.

Just to add to the fun, right at the start of the Cat 5 race, I realize I'd lost my wedding band. I knew I'd loose it eventually, unless I had it resized. Since I hadn't got around to it yet, it was now gone. Add a bit of distraction before the race.

Prep

Being a rather small team, Chaos had a problem getting representation in the races. Most of the guys on the team are working the event, so couldn't just jump in a race. I started the day directing traffic at a parking lot entrance. I was glad to be relieved before the cat 5 race went off, so I could warm up for the 4 race. Most of the team are cat 4 racers, so we had the best representation there, with 4. Geoff, Ryan Williams, Scott Schnitzspahn and myself. Ryan, Geoff and I have raced together as a team at Westlake, where Jim Karlovec and I were to sit in for the finish, while Geoff and Ryan attacked. The plan worked well, and Geoff and Ryan stayed away for second and third. The team did well, but it was a frustrating race for me. I'm happier being aggressive rather than sitting in for the second half of a race.

Because we expected this race to be fast, our strategy is for Ryan and myself to save it for the end. Scott and Geoff will get to the front for the last two laps to line it out. Ryan and I are to be in the top 5 or so, and we'll drill it to the end. If either of us feel good during the race, we can have a go, and the others will try to setup a block. Because the race was all 4's I expected some of the Westlake A racers to make the race harder than the B race. So I was curious how I'd fit into the group.

It's cool, I warmed up in knee and arm warmers. It may be because the course is completely shaded, but it's cooler on the road than the temperatures indicate. Base layer is staying on during the race today. As I strip off the warmers by the registration pavilion, I find they've back filled the foundation with sand. Sand, dirt and/or gravel are terrible for Speedplay pedals. Most people can't clip out when the cleats get fouled with dirt... I have to be different, when I get fouled I can't clip in. Fortunately, I get it all squared away before we line up.

The Race

Standard fair at the start. The four Chaos guys are talking strategy, and we're looking around at who showed up. 36-37 riders. Summit has a big presence, maybe 7 or 8 guys. Orrville has 4 or 5. We have 4. Snake Bite has 2. Then the smattering of other teams, either in pairs or singles.

We're off and Mike Bonomo from Snake Bite sets the pace up. We're motoring around at 25.2 or so. No major climbs, so it's OK in the group. There are a few minor pot holes (nothing deep) and a couple of dips in the road. The dips are worse than the holes, because they are shaped kind of like your wheel, they aren't deep either, but they scrub some speed. The only other obstacle are the hay bails in the final corner. They are protecting two pedestrian poles, but the line through the corners take the inside riders really close to them.

The first few laps go fine, as everyone figures out how to get through the course. We hit our first prime at about the fifth lap. I maintained my position in the top 10, and just observe the prime sprint. It winds up pretty early at about 500-600 meters, because the last 200 are downhill. So I rolled through the first prime somewhere in the top 20.

I'm comfortable on the inside line. I'm getting used to maintaining my position, and following wheels to move me up. I feel pretty good. Then the incidents start.

I think the first one occured as Scott tried to move up on the inside. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but it seemed he was moving up as the peleton squeezed in tight around a dip in the road. Next thing I see is Scott doing cyclocross right next to me in the grass. I eased up and opened for him to get back in. Score: One Chaos rider still up.

A couple laps later, I'm maintaining my position on the inside. There's a Pista Elite rider next to me. I recognize the team name as a junior dev team. Cool. Then the guy touches wheels with the rider in front and starts going all over the place. I tried to cut in tight to give him space to go down, and am about ready to call my race done. As he steers into me, I'm sure I'll be going down. I hear someone shout "rider down!" as the Elite rider has his left foot out, somewhere between my front and rear wheel. I'm leaning lightly as he is, and somehow we disengage with both of us still upright. I call up, "No one down", and jump up to get back up to the group pace. I don't know how we stayed up, that as the closest I've ever come to being taken down. Score: 2 out of 4 Chaos riders almost taken out. Nice little adrenalin rush before the next prime.

Next lap, the Pista Elite guy is near me again. I asked if he was OK, and we settle in again. At the same point where the last incident was, he blows his front tire. Fortunately, he kept it together again with out going down or bringing anyone else down. He pulled off, and took a free lap or two to fix the fla and jumped back in... very impressive how quickly he got back together. I get about one of those laps to relax before the bell rings for the next prime.

I'm planning on jumping into this one, as much to see what I've got as to warm up my sprint. At $50 a prime, it could be nice to pay for the weekends racing. I won't kill myself, as the finish has more chances than the prime, but primes are good practice for the finish.

The prime lap accelerates at the bell. At the point I expect, a group of Orrville riders go around the front on the right, and I've got space to slot in. Up over the last rise, then spin everything down the hill. I end up sixth for the prime, and learn it'll be hard to make up positions on the downhill section of the final. It pretty much came down to you finish where you crested the hill.

Overall, I'm feeling good. I'm moving around comfortably. Ryan is close to the front, but not really giving it a go. At Westlake, he'll jump off the front repeatedly, but that has a mix of Cat 4, 5 and citizens. This is all fours and may be the difference. We're averaging about 25.5 at this point.

At about 10 to go, on the same incline that the sprints have started, an AGH rider (NHVelo) goes off the front and opens a nice gap. For some reason, the group kind of sat up when he went, and I rolled off the front and pulled a gap also. So I bridged up to the guy. I wasn't alone, I brought Dave Steiner up with me. I train with Dave on the evening rides, and know he's strong and a good guy to have in a break. We catch the guy and try to organize it into something. Turns out Dave is shot (surprised me, as I haven't ever been able to ride him into the ground before), and the AGH guy is trying to take shorter pulls than Dave can sustain. I'm trying to get into 30 second pulls, so Dave and I can recover. AGH pulls off, Dave won't come around, so I get stuck doing most of the work.

Geoff somehow saw the break go, but didn't know I was in it. So he gets to the front and starts bringing us back. When he pulls off, Kevin Ward from Lake Effect finishes us off, and we write off our break after 1 lap plus a bit. Oh well, we weren't organized anyway, and didn't have good representation. We really needed an Orrville and a Summit guy to join us to make it stick for 10 laps.

The whole time I was away, I was hoping they'd ring another prime. I figured I had a shot of the 3 of us. Not to be. As we were swallowed up, the pack wanted us to pick up the pace again. I was waving them around, as my main concern now was to get into the group and recover... and under no circumstance did I want to get dropped.

Fortunately, the last prime lap was not until 3 to go. Plenty of recovery time... but a dangerous time for something to get launched off the prime. My goal this time was a top 10, so I could jump into anything that went. A little push over the top, and I was close enough to guard the group, but nothing came of it. All together with 3 to go.

Ryan is still staying nicely up front, and I'm near enough to him. I've spent about 1 or 2 laps on the outside, and didn't like it at all. So I'm sticking inside, waiting for our plan to go into action... if it does.

At the end of 3 to go, Geoff moves up on the outside. I should have shouted something, so he knew where we were. He gets on the front, and starts pulling. Ryan and I are sitting somewhere in the top 10, so it's close to what we wanted. Geoff pulls through the entire lap but then has to relent. Rob Tandy gets to the front for the bell lap, with 2 or three of his guys in tow. Rob could go, but is having bottom bracket trouble, so I think he's sacrificing for the team. Ryan and I are still following nicely at about 6 and 7th wheel.

Rob wasn't pulling long when the AGH guy jumped again. We picked up the pace in pursuit and I thought we had him close. Then Ryan and a Summit guy mix it up right in front of me. They both have to lean in hard, and both stay up, but it scrubs some speed off our finish. (Score: 3 Chaos guys involved, but all of us still upright.) Ryan jumps and I follow trying to regain what we lost. We make it over the top, and push to the line. I count 9 in front of me, with Ryan in 7th or 8th. Then as we go under the bridge, I see the AGH guy! Did he stay away? Sure enough! By a lot. Because of the near wreck, I'd lost track of what happened to him.

Post

So we ended up with Ryan in 8th, I took 11th. Geoff and Scott finished in the field. Overall, we represented the race sponsorship well. I was happy with my race. I was involved in a prime (though not at the front), happy with the break, and with the exception of the scuffle at the end, I'm sure I could have been top 10 at the finish, if not top 5. Thinking it over, I should have worked my way to the outside during the last lap. I then would have had some openings to react to craziness and maybe been able to answer the AGH attack.

Now to recover and get ready for Zoar tomorrow..