#1 Duntroon Highlands, decent turn out as always for the first race. Good weather, dry conditions, ready to test out the new bike. Got the first call up being the 25’ points leader, that’s kinda funny being 45 yrs old. We are racing with the u19 group again so expecting a fast start and eventful first lap. I had heard about this “gap Jump” and as I didn’t pre ride it was definitely in my head. Asked a master who had just raced and he said it might give you an oh shit moment, but it’s nothing to worry about, then I thought i heard him say it’s on the 2nd trail of the race…but actually he likely said 2nd last trail! So whole first lap im thinking where the f is this jump. I was shuffled back about 10th for most of the first lap mixing it up u19 and Pete Glassford. The leading group about 10 to 30sec ahead just shreading up the course. These u19 are fast in single track and made me really feel my age, shit.
The gap jump, yep almost f××ked that up, kid behind be was sure to let me know lol.
Just wasnt feeling it, I could tell. Pete attack start of lap 2 and was gone like that. I tried to go too and got away from 2 u19s but by the gap jump they had got back to me. Fast forward to starting lap 5, the u19 guy finished and I was to do lap 5 alone with next ahead Calvin about 45sec. But one of the u19s was actually a u23 and in my race. I caught him and we had a brief chat then he got jets and just rode away. 6th on the day, not a bad race to finish with the 3rd place u19. However, any day Pete puts over 3min into me is a disappointment.
Since that race I’ve gotten to know the new bike better, raised the saddle, faster tires, going forward looks positive. Just got to deal with these new u23 kids.
#2 Bolar, the wet one!
Like last year low turnout and looked to be a duel with myself and Calvin again. Calling for 100% storms I decided to set up a spare (heavey) wheel set with mud tires. It was the correct call. If no rain I could quickly swap wheels. The morning races were dry beautiful conditions. I got to Bolar about 12:15, checked radar and had about 40min before the rain was going to hit. 1:30 races were not so lucky. They pushed the start back to 2pm to avoid lighting which didn’t happen, if we started at 1:30 the 1st lap would have been dry. Anyway we lined up in the rain elite, u19 and u17. Lol the boy to my left on the start line had to be 15yrs old and shivering away.
Course was shortened (took out the best trail as I was told) and we were doing 4 laps instead of 5. Fast start, really fast, surprisingly fast. I was just holding on the first lap about 6th. Imagine riding your mtb as fast as you can go, on a track you haven’t been on, in the pouring rain. Great thing was traction was good. That meant all the guys on fast tires (not muds) were going good. I think the 2 leaders were u17 and the 1 u19 leader i passed on lap 3 couldn’t see very well due to mud.
The track was worst by lap 3-4 but still totally ridable. Calvin was ahead of me the whole race stretching anywhere from 10-30sec. Last lap though at the feed zone i tossed my fogged up 100% glasses and Clavin was back within site. Slowly getting closer as the lap went on, last few trails it was 10sec. Out onto the lower grassy run in to the finish he was 5sec. I locked up the suspension (weather that work or not I don’t know due to mud) and gave one last smash to maybe surprise and best him. He looked back at a perfect time and was just able to say away for a 1sec victory. Damn! Kids definitely got my number so far this year. Haven’t had a mud fest like that in a long time, best part was that every trail was still rideable and fast.
Next up is Hardwood xco this Sunday. Thought about doing the short track on Saturday but $50xcc + $95xco + $22pre ride fee, forget it!
Should be a big turn out for this one. A Lot of crazy u19’s anyway.
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