Alum Creek State Park XC, OMBC #7

Fun race at Alum creek! I took off a head out of the gate but got passed on the dam. I kept her close in sight and caught her within the first mile on the single track. After that I didn't see her again. It was a good race and Ryan said I may have set a new record for my time in this class!

Respectable. Woke up this AM and decided to load up the mountain bike instead of the road bike. I had every intention of doing the Milk Race in Orrville but changed my mind overnight. So, Alum Creek it was today on a course I've never ridden. Lined up with the Masters group surrounded by some stiff competition. The sprint to the woods was fast with several of us taking turns pulling into the wind. I was the first one into the single track and rode the first of two laps reasonably well. Rudy Sroka passed me and I followed him for quite a while. Eventually he pulled away and I was on my own. I could see glimpses of Scott Young on the switchbacks and it wasn't long before he caught me. We rode in tandem for a good part of the second lap. Scott's skills allowed him to get a gap and he disappeared through the tight twisting trail. I continued on trying to stay within myself and determined not to do anything overly stupid. Finally, I rode out of the woods and back across the levee at near-puke speed to the finish.

I ended up in 3rd place (podium) and got accused of being a mountain biker. That has never happened before. I've learned that suffering on a mountain bike is much different than a road bike.

First time racing! I think I like it, although I need some work to do if I ever race across that dam again!

Raced hard, and placed about as well as I could have hoped without any real training beforehand. The highlight of the race was catching and then dropping the guy ahead of me on the final stretch across the dam. Definitely a good day.

Course was in great shape and I enjoyed the race.

Austin and I "pulled" across the finish line at the same time!

Great day overall. The rain held off. It was fun to ride as a group for the first lap of the course.
The kids' race really helps make the whole day a family event.

I had a good time racing just need to be faster next time.

Hmmm... Lets just say this was not my day. Started out feeling really good, unfortunately that only lasted until the first hill where I decided to make an ill-timed pass and washed out in the loose gravel. Almost took out most of the riders in the division, luckily they paid close enough attention to miss me. Sorry guys... Hopped up relatively quickly and got on with the chase across the dam.

Caught up with everyone and went into the woods in second... That's where the problems began. One flat and three CO2 cartridges later I was out of the race. Could not get a tube to hold air. I didn't even get to the main trail...

Oh well, good to see so many of the other Roasters doing so well. Here's to hoping for a better race next time...