Overall, a continuation of good results for CFF clients at WORS #3. Seems that a few were negatively affected by the course markings being knocked down in one area = there will be those days. I decided to write this one up from a personal perspective since it was a relatively new experience for me in many ways. I've been racing WORS for 15 years, and still having new experiences that lead to personal growth = pretty cool!

I facilitated the CFF Time Trial on Saturday. It was the typical 10 mile all-out affair. With only 4 in attendance, and 3 racing WORS the next day, we did an easy recovery spin to the local coffee shop afterwards = thanks to Michael, Dan, and Ben S. Going backwards in time I'd say that Thursday was relevant to this post. I rode the new Reynolds wheels on my road bike for the first time and was totally stoked on how they performed. I was equally stoked to decide that racing my MTB on Sunday was something that would truly light my fire; the passion for racing. Odd how that was determined on a long/great road ride. Must have been the 3.5 hours in the saddle, and the contemplation that goes along with it.


photo courtesy of Brittany Nigh

So I'll keep the WORS race review short since most won't read this long. Start was horrible because of me not clipping in well, and being almost last over the line. Oh well, onward through the thick cloud of dust I went. From 60th place, I knew that the moves had to come early. The course was very road like but many passes had to happen on the grassy edges versus main lines. With the temp's in the 90's, the matches seemed to burn with more intensity with every surge. I settled down to ride with Scott Cole for awhile, then up to Ronsta, and finally with age group contender Michael Naughton. I do love the fact that you can make allies in a MTB race by working together with a common purpose of moving up through the field. It was a very cool vibe with some excellent riding partners. I lastly settled with Kevin McConnell (IA) as most everybody else had dropped off his pace. We were polar opposites in that he'd drop me on the climbs and I pull him on the straights. But, it kept the pace high so that was good enough to bring it home in 9th place overall, and 1st in age group. I was so fatigued on the last lap that I had to let Kevin go. It was all good though. The 9th place finish was more than I had hoped for due to the 60th place start, lack of MTB training... 2:15 of a good mixture between learning how to ride single-track again (sorry guys), learning long race pacing/drinking strategy, and fine tuning the race tactics. I'm stronger because of this experience = pretty awesome!