The good, the good, and the ugly

Race Day Overview

In the days leading up to this Sundays race we had contemplated camping on site. With both Andrea and I trying to get over bad colds, however, we opted for a decent nights sleep in Superior. We woke up at 5:45 in order to get everyone dressed and the car packed by 7:00 so we could grab a quick continental breakfast and be on our way by 7:30. As usual, it took us an additional 15 minutes, but we still had plenty of time. At 7:45 AM the temp was already 72 F and I knew it was going to be a hot day: perfect conditions to try out our new 10' x 10' canopy. We arrived at Mt. Du Lac a little after 8 and started unloading our stuff to set up camp (6 bikes, 4 kids, 1 dog, 2 coolers, 6 chairs, 1 bike pump, 1 EZ up, tools, and 1 bag of food).

The citizen race was scheduled to start at 9:30 AM with sport at 11:00 AM and expert at 1:00 PM. I felt fairly rushed the entire day, probably because the start of the citizen and water station for sport was halfway up the hill. Jordan had a great race finishing 1st for her age, 2nd for the women, and 38th out of 56 overall. Andrea recovered from a first lap flat to finish 4th in her age, 4 for the women and 51st our of 86 overall. I unfortunately had my first DNF. Detailed results are listed below.

Race Results

Matt's Race

After lining up a couple of excuses for todays race (bad cold being one of them) I ended up using one I hadn't thought of. After a short but decent warm-up and going up and down the hill to see how Andrea's race was going I felt fairly good for the start of the expert race. At the line I was in the third or forth row and as the gun went off the pack started to gain momentum towards the first steep section. I settled into a decent but conservative pace, because the first climb is a long one. As I approached the first steep section, I cranked hard out of the saddle and passed a couple of riders as they grinded it out. After the steep section the climb levels out slightly before making a right turn continuing up a gradual climb. I dropped down a couple of gears and settled into a nice pace, even taking some time to have a friendly conversation with Jennifer Meyer. I think I even made the comment something like, "I wish there were more people this happy when they are riding". As I approached the last steep section I left it in my middle ring and started to push hard out of the saddle. On my third or forth pedal stroke I heard a loud "crack" and immediately the back of the bike felt like a wet noodle. I pulled off the trial and quickly realized that I had sheared off the drive side single pivot bolt. Needless to say, I was really bummed, so I picked up my bike and threw it into a section of nice tall weeds. Jennifer Meyer must think I am a complete hypocrite.

View of the damages

Andrea's Race

The day was hot and I knew it was only going to get hotter once the race started. I warmed up by climbing "the hill" once just before Jordan's race started. I decided to try the climb in my middle chain ring and I did it, I was amazed. After the climb I tooled around on top the hill for a awhile then I headed doen to where Jordan's race was to start, we sent her off then I went down to chill for a bit before my race. Just before my race started I rode up and down the road a few times then I headed for the start line. Thanks to Angela Collins the ladies got their own wave to start in. Although, even with a 2 minute lag we quickly caught some of the men in front of us. As we took off I made my way up the hill keeping a good pace, I was the fourth women up to the top of the hill.

Once we got into the single track I got into a rythm and just rode, I felt great. Then less then half way into the first lap my back tire was making some strange noises and I knew I was in trouble. I knew the 5th place women was close behind, so I quickly stopped and my fears were true, my back tire was partially flat. I was soooo bummed, I had never had a dnf due to a mechanical before. Since it was not all the way flat I figured I might as well try to ride out verses walk, so I hopped back on my bike and continued to ride. I was still keeping a good pace and I was still in 4th place. I few minutes later I checked the tire again and it felt the same as it had previously, so I figured maybe I had just burped my tire, so I continued to ride, al beit a little slower. Some riders were coming up behind and I let them pass and told them I had a flat tire. Matt Johnson asked if I had anything with me to fix it and I said no, next thing I knew he had stopped and pulled out his CO2 and reinflated my tire. It had more air in it than I needed, but I was hoping for the best and thanked Matt and I was back in the race. Thanks again Matt!!!! Only 2 women had passed me and at this point I was just happy to be able to finish the race. After I started up again my legs felt dead and they ached, I was hoping they would soon start feeling better and then the back climb was right there. I vowed I was going to stay on my bike the whole way. Then I looked ahead and I spotted Angela and I put it into high gear and near the top of the back climb I passed her. Matt was waiting for me at the top and asked how I was doing and if my tire was holding air (Matt J. had told him). I said I was fine and I thought so. Next I was happily joused with water from the volunteers and then I made my way up the rest of the way to the top. I settled into a nice pace and I rode pretty clean and quick. I was happy wit how I was doing. Towards the end of the 3rd lap I decided I would quicken my pace a bit and try to catch and pass the guy in front of me, then I saw just in front of him was the one other lady who had passed me while I was fixing my tire. I kicked it up and rode right behind her heading into the last climb, I couldn't catch her but I ws right with her. Next we came to the top of the hill heading into the last decent into the finish line. I made a quick inside pass and I was in front. I zoomed down the hill as fast as I would let myself go figuring she was right behind me, Matt was at the bottom all lined up for his race and I quick asked him how close she was. He didn't answer so I just pushed hard into the finish. I looked back and she was just coming down from the top of the hill. I found out later that her brakes had locked up and she took a headed. I felt so bad, she said she was fine and it wasn't my fault so I felt releived she was ok.

Look Matt I'm smiling!!! Thanks Dana for the great photo!!

All in all I was very pleased with my result, I didn't feel so good going into this race, but I felt great coming out and I like the trail a lot better after completing 3 laps at race pace.

Jordan's Race

Jordan continues to amaze me with her skill, stamina, and compeditive spirit. For example, at the start of the citizen race, the race director made the decision that instead of the women starting in their own wave as usual, they would be starting in the second wave with the men. While the other ladies hung out at the back the pack, Jordan moved towards the starting line to get a better position amongst adults at least 2 feet taller than her. When the race started she bolted off the line, holding her own in the pack and pushed up the entire first climb without getting off her bike. At first it was hard sending her out on the longer races not knowing if anything bad might happen. She has proven that she can handle anything thrown at her during the course of a race.

She is a very well rounded XC rider. She climbs exceptionally well and continues to improve as she gains leg strength. She handles technical sections with easy and I have never seen her afraid of riding a section. She reacts instantly to conditions on the trail and bike position. But what I am most impressed with is her ability to never give up. Last race she went down hard causing her bar to smash into her chest, but she got back on the bike after a minute and pushed even harder to regain the ground she had lost. In all respects she is a racer and is having a great time doing it.

Jordan working the switchbacks coming down to finish the race

Jordan pushing hard up the last rise to the finish line.

Jordan finished 1st for her age group (10-18), 2nd out of 11 for the women, and 38th out of 56 overall. You can see by the picture how small she is compared to her age group.