Cable Classic
The Cable Classic course was a bit different this year and was set up to be over 75% single track (Best course to compare it to would be the Tour Da Woods.) It started on a smooth fire road which kept the whole group together at about 25 mph. At about the 2 mile mark it abruptly turns into a 1 rider wide single track (with a 90 degree right hand turn.) As you can imagine, 50+ riders going 25 mph and then hitting the breaks to go into a 12 inch wide single track is not a pretty scene. I pre-rode the course the night before and knew this would be a big point in the race. I figured the top 10 guys in the single track would establish enough gaps and become the race. That's exactly what it did. Right before the single track I made a move to about 6th and sure enough the first pile up happened. Tyler Jenema and Tom Carpenter had the line and I was right behind them. Another guy tried to squeeze in and Tyler sent both into the trees but it also caused him to stumble. I stepped over Carp and the other guy and we quickly jumped back on. I went in about 6th or 7th with Tyler in front of me and Aaron Swanson and Carp right behind. A group of about 10-15 was established with small gaps between riders. We reached some two track and the tempo picked up and a group of about 5 was forming and pulling away. I jumped a guy's wheel and pulled up to the group. Not long after that we had put a small gap on the group behind. We stared up a slight hill and this was the changing point in my race. Aaron Swanson reached down to turn on his pro pedal and caused a slight stoppage of me and the guy behind. I had to put my foot down to establish balance. Aaron and I struggled to get back up to speed and the guy behind us jumped onto the group. The slight stop caused a gap which put me and Aaron on the chase. A quick wrong turn by Aaron and that left me chasing by myself. Still on two track I knew it was going to be hard to chase the group by myself but I pushed on. I raced by myself for the next 30 min or so chasing the group trying to keep them in sight. I approached the 2nd aid station and I would soon find out that would be the end of my day. The long course went left and the short course went right. Well.....I took a right and continued for several minutes. I didn't quite realize this until I saw a Mafia racing guy riding towards me. You could imagine the exchange of words, we were not pleased. We had both taken a wrong turn. Come to find out we were riding 6 & 7 and not far off the 2-5 group. I road the next 10 miles pretty relaxed knowing my day was over and came in 20th overall. We were not the only ones to get lost that day. The 2-5 group also took a wrong turn but it happened not to be as bad of a wrong turn as mine and the Mafia racer. The general consensus was the course was poorly marked with small signs that were posted on trees not on the ground. There were a couple of turns you had to actually process in your mind on what way to turn and that should happen in a race. Anyhow, I complained for awhile and figured it wasn't getting me anywhere so I moved on and was ready for Rhinelander. WORS #2
Rhinelander was similar to Cable in that it was set up with over 75% single track. It was going to be another tough day on the bike as the quick acceleration single track can ware on a guy. The race started out on about 2 miles of fire road and moved smoothly into single track. The Comp group stared last this week so we had the Women, Open, Jr's, and 35 & up in front of us. With so much single track I knew passing would be the key to creating gaps. On the first short section of single track I went in 3rd right behind Tyler Jenema. We were both feeling good and knew we didn't want to be behind anyone for the next section so we hammered to the front and jumped in 1-2 on the next singe track. Then the next 20 min consisted of, "Rider behind." "When you can.", "On your right.", "On your left." "Thank you." "Good job." You get my point. We did a lot of passing. Because Tyler and I had done some passing in Iola we were actually pretty good and making 2 bikes become 1. One of us would say, "When you can, on your right." and pass quickly and the other would quickly say, "2 of us." and we would be pass in no time. With the smooth passing and steady cadence we were able to create a gap fairly quickly. We didn't have to say much we were both feeling good and you could see it. Tyler and I shared the lead in and out of the single track putting on seconds with every pedal. We had finally starting seeing some open space and picked up the tempo even more and then disaster struck for Tyler which left me solo for the rest of the race. The sheer power of his pedal stroke snapped his derailleur right off. At this time I was leading through some single track so I wasn't quite sure what was going on I just heard him yell, or what I thought was, "Go Go Go" but come to find out he yelled, "I broke my derailleur you're solo." Anyhow hit gave me a burst of energy and I pounded the first lap out in about 44-45 minutes. At the start of the 2nd lap I knew it was going to be important to get through the 2 track quickly so I took advantage of a group of riders from the open category until the single track. I settled into a groove and went solo the 2nd lap for the victory. My 2nd lap was a bit slower but I had a tough time gauging what tempo I should ride but regardless I felt good and had a little bit more in me. This is officially my first victory of my mountain bike career. It felt so good to make that jump and grab my first overall podium.
The 1st place was a great way to finish an awesome weekend of traveling and racing. Better yet my wife and family were there to witness it. It was a great feeling to share that victory with them.
Thank you to Culvers Racing and my family.
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