I love riding at Bear Creek. The course is very technical with a good deal of climbing; nothing like Danville, but enough to make it a challenge. The descents are super fun with lots of tricky sections. Racing here is usually only done for the MASS final, but this year they decided to hold their own series. Race 1 was also a Kenda Cup Qualifier as well as a qualifier for USA Cycling XC Nationals.
There were not as many racers as I had expected, but I met people from all over the place who had come to race. There was the girl from Colorado who was in front of me picking up her race packet. The guy I met on a funky polka dot bike from Ohio, and more then a few French speaking folks who I assume came down from Montreal area.
My race didn’t go so well. I had been feeling a bit run down all week leading into the race. My chest was tight and I figure I must have some cold or infection. As I write this, I’m still not feeling so great. I hope it’s passed for this weekends race at Neshaminy!
Anyhow, I had a great start and was holding a great position for about 3 miles at which point I expected to have settled in a bit (as is usual for me). This time I never did and I was having trouble getting my heart rate down. I was not feeling good and had no power. I had more then one friend pass me and wonder why I was dragging so far back. Thanks to some wise words from Topher Valenti as he passed, I just kept turning the pedal around unwilling to quit; which I thought about every lap.
On my third lap I started to feel a little better, but the damage was done. I was sitting in second to last place with no hope of catching the leaders. I let go and just did my best to stay safe and finish the race. As I was nearing the last couple miles of the lap, I caught a glimpse of a couple guys in my class, but they were far ahead and soon out of sight. I did my best to dig deep and before long a few friends cheering on the racers told me they were not far ahead. This, combined with clearing a nasty switchback which I usually just run to save time spurred me on. I gave it all I had and found my legs again for a bit. Before too long I saw Matt, maybe 2 miles to the finish. He was struggling and I passed him with a little speed to make sure he didn’t try and chase me. He had beat me last week, so I didn’t feel so bad. That left Joe, who I knew couldn’t be too far ahead.
As I left the single track to make the grassy climb before the descent to the lodge and the final gravel road to the finish I found him, pushing his bike up the hill. I had made that climb the two previous laps despite feeling like crap. This time was no different. As I passed Joe he cursed me out! Ha! It was awesome and probably the only time I smiled all day! Well, that’s not totally true… Harlin’s sister had been hula-hooping at the top of that climb all day and cheering us all on! I am pretty sure I smiled at her each time I made that climb (no doubt with her help).
Joe was not having it and ran the rest of the way, got on his bike and chased me down with some serious fury. We were neck and neck at the bottom of the hill and he was literally growling! Yeah Joe!!! We raced each other like that until we were both dying and with a good 200 yards left to go we both slowed. I was sure he had it, as I was spent, but just as quickly I got another flush of energy and with a shout to Joe, “I’m not giving it up!” I pedaled on. Joe did his best to chase me, but he wasn’t as lucky. It was for sure one of the most exciting and challenging finishes I ever had, despite both of us not feeling so great about our times. Joe is a good friend and a great competitor!
I ended up in 6th place. Ed Bush took 1st putting down some sick lap times! I only wish I could have hung with him a little longer. He has amazing handling skills and I have a lot I can learn from watching him race.
The next Bear Creek race is a few weeks away and I’m looking forward to it already!
D and Q Racing 