Boler Mountain last weekend was my second XCO race and second OCup of the season. I came into it feeling fairly confident after winning the first OCup of the year in the Senior Men’s category.
Once the race started, I settled into around 8th to 10th place overall in a mixed field that included some very strong Masters athletes. I decided to make the most of the opportunity and put in a surge on the first major climb. I moved up to second place but drifted back after going through a series of flat corners.
For most of the first lap, I rode with two or three Masters athletes through some fast, flowing singletrack. I eventually dropped them on the final significant climb of the lap. From there, laps two and three were fairly uneventful. I spent that time experimenting with different lines and making sure I stayed on top of my eating and drinking.
Near the end of the third lap, the skies were getting considerably darker, and I was hoping the rain would hold off for just one more lap. On the fourth lap, I had to navigate some lapped traffic and came close to catching a few of the Masters athletes who had dropped me earlier in the race, but I ultimately finished a few seconds behind them.
Luckily, I beat the rain and secured my second age-group win of the year. The race also reinforced my feeling that I have good fitness at this point in the season, while highlighting that I still have a long way to go when it comes to my cornering skills.
Overall, it was a great race, and I’m glad I came away with more racing experience and a better understanding of where I can improve.
-Ben D
