Spring

Spring TMBRA Series
Races & Results

Champions Cyclery/Specialized Presents
the Warda Race
Mar 4-5 - Warda, TX
I finished 26 out of a field of 31 with a time of 1:06:09

My race went great, I don't know where in my class I finished, but I finished and am in one piece to boot. Sunday morning was mostly overcast and cool, we arrived at Bluff Creek Ranch about 9:30 am. For volunteering to work for a couple of hours we got free admission/parking, lunch (subway, chips, drink) and a T-shirt, not bad! Our duties ranged to making sure the riders wore a helmet to stopping foot traffic as the racers rode the course. We were done by noon and I began my warm ups.
The beginners (40-44) got off at about 1:55 PM and I finished in a little over an hour. I rode well and didn't crash, there were a couple of log jams in some of the technical areas but I was lucky and wasn't delayed by them. It was inspiring to have complete strangers cheering ya on, Donna was able to cover a bit of the course and took some pictures of me as I passed by.
Towards the end of the course is the killer sections, ya start by descending a bluff (Gas Pass). I had not ridden this before, I had walked down this section but not ridden it. I started down and didn't look back, I think having people watching helped. Do or die! The next challenge was riding back up, it's long and rather steep at the top. Donna was there encouraging me on, I made it up. I was stoked but there's more. The trail turns and heads back down (Mule Terrace), here it's stepped and the trail sides were packed with spectators waiting for the inevitable crash. I was on the heals of another rider and paced myself with him we made it to the bottom and then he went down, I was barely able to squeak round him. The ride back up this time is via a suspension bridge. I made it up and remember a guy with a "Limy" accent encouraging me on, "Your awwwwwwwwwright mate, easy on! Ends near!" I nearly busted out laughing but didn't quite have the wind. At the finish I was in a sprint with a younger rider, I think he nosed me out but it didn't matter as he was in a different class and I had finished.
In retrospect I'm not as sore as I though I might be and am excited about the next race at Flat Creek Ranch the 18th of March.

March 18/19
Flat Creek Ranch

Schlotzsky's Presents the Flat Creek 2000 MTB Race
Mar 18-19 - Austin, TX
Another great race, I finished 24 out of 27 with a time of 1:12:07. I was fortunate in that my spring break was the week of the race. I was helping my parents move and got to pre-ride the course Thursday afternoon. What a trail, Flat Creek is one technical mother. My Kona handled the trail without incident and I was grateful to finish in one piece. Close to the finish I was behind a couple of riders in the woods, a twisting section of single track that passes through live oaks. One rider let me pass and I had my sites set on the other as we hit the power line right of way. The right-of-way is jeep trail and runs downhill. We came upon another rider and at one point we were all flying down hill side by side, but only for a moment. I took advantage of my greater mass and passed both on the right. Sunday Donna and I volunteered as course marshals. Beautiful weather and mucho funo!

RaseBase Presents
The
Rocky Hill Mountain Bike Rally
April 29/30
Location: Rocky Hill Ranch
Smithville TX
I finished 17 out of 19, not so great but I had been batteling a nasty sinus infection, excuses, excuses. The course is fun, Fat Chuck's did me in, zappepd my energy. But I did finish and am stoked.
The site of the 24 Hour race, Rocky Hill with its great camping sites introduced a point-to-point course in 1998 that many of the participants found to be a pleasant addition. All information is available at http://www.rockyhillranch.com

This was my last race for the spring series overall I placed 25th out of 29. I'm excited about the Fall series and have been putting in some time at the gym and on my bike. The Mrs. signed us up with Nortwest Cycling Club so I'll be racing under their banner this Fall.

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