MNSCS #8 / WORS #9 : BORDER BATTLE!

The start

Today was the Minnesota, Wisconsin border battle race. This was the race we have been looking forward to all year. It takes place practically in our back yard. We train there almost every week. The course was perfect for our single speeds, a 100 yard dash to a long double track climb before heading into the single track. We knew that getting up that climb first would be one of the most important parts of the race. Zach's wave went off second and he hammered the climb and was the first of his wave (12 -18) into the single track. I took off in the fourth wave, I got the the hole shot and was the first to the climb. I gave it all I had and at the top of the climb I had a large gap on the rest of the wave going into the single track. The rest of the race went very well until half way through the second lap I saw Zach by the side of the trail with a ripped tire, bummer his race was over. I pushed it hard the rest of the way And narrowly took first place in my age class by 3 seconds. I got 10th overall from a field of 109. I was very happy because my last WORS race I was a distant 3rd. It definitely helps to have home course advantage.

MNSCS #7

Last Sunday was a near perfect day for racing, the temperature at the start was in the low 60's and the sun was shining. Zach started two waves ahead of me and got a good start down a short section before the first long climb to the top of Buck Hill ski area. Two minutes later I was off. There were two guys ahead of me at the start of the climb, but I was able to real them in before the top. At the top most of the rest of the course was some very buff single track. That made for some very fun racing. At the top of the climb on my third lap I turned into the single track a little to fast and found myself looking up at the sky and watching the two guys I had just passed, go riding by. Nothing hurt but my pride and a little dirt rash. I jumped back up to finish 6th overall and 1st in my age class. Zach was tearing it up and finished 2nd overall and 1st in his age class 1:45 ahead of me.

24 Hours of 9 Mile

All I can say is WOW. This has got to be the toughest sport I have ever witnessed. Last Saturday Zach and I met up with Misty from Vassago cycles to pit crew for Eddy and Namrita O'dea. It was a real eye opener for me, I only wish I would have had a better idea of what I was getting into so I could have done a better job of supporting our racers. I guess it's just one of those things you have to do once to know what it's all about.
Overall it was a great experience and I came away with a huge amount of respect for Eddy and Nam for all the work and pain that must be endured to compete at this level. You guys are Awesome!