Its December 4th, 2011 in the PACNW and the majority of people have transitioned from autumn activities to their winter pursuits. However, several Mongers were not willing to let go of the autumn past-time yet. Unlike earlier races the departure from PDX took place in total darkness. While Glen and I traded stories about wanting to sleep-in we drove on to the Washougal motocross track.
Glen was joined by Jamie (recent b-day boy) in the beginners race. My camera was toasted for batteries so I had to rely on the GPMC photographers. Here is one of Jamie that I found(if you click on the link it will tell you that you are leaving the page, just hit back when your done looking at the photo): Jamie: http://leonardjohnson.zenfolio.com/p15792214/h36548ae7#h36548ae7Karl jumped in the Clydesdales race and he looked like he was enjoying himself, heck he always looks like he is enjoying himself:
Karl: http://leonardjohnson.zenfolio.com/p15792214/h36548ae7#h25ae33a5
Bill was our sole rider in the Cat. C race and admitted that he was not feeling it (too much as Jamie's b-day party!) but as always Bill-dozer mowed down the course and had fun staying upright on some of the technical turns and steep mud drops.Bill: http://leonardjohnson.zenfolio.com/p15792214/h36548ae7#h222c0403
Our last riders of the day were the Mstr C's. That included Ryan, Sean and myself. All three of us started in the top third of the pack. At 52 riders this was a light Msters C group. Ryan and Sean bolted off as I figured out if the late night at Jeff Gamer's 5oth B-day was the right kind of pre-race preparation.
Prior to the race I let some additional air out of my tires because I had spun out going around a few corners during the pre-ride. It still took me a lap to get comfortable with all the ups and downs of the course. I was right behind Ryan when he rolled down a steep drop into a mud pit and bounced off the course.
I kept pushing the nice, cold air down my lungs as the bourbon poured out in the form of sweat. I was looking for Sean but I could not see him yet. This course had some really painful little hills that zapped all your energy and one big sucker that started after a barrier, with no momentum. Nothing like Rainer but these felt like 'death by a million little hills.' By lap three I had a visual on my target as I headed out on a out-and-back: Sean Stroup was four or five riders ahead!!!
I kept pushing that bourbon out and by the start of lap 5 i had passed the 4-5 riders between us but Sean was still a 100 ft. ahead. With all the twists and turns on this course I had trouble reeling him in. I would make a push on a straight away only to find that he smoothly made it around a technical section where I needed to brake. The bike stayed upright and I kept pushing but he saw me coming and he floored it. He was far enough ahead that I could not catch him within the last 1/2 mile of the course.
Within that last 1/2 mile I had my own problems when three riders passed me going down hill, damn single chain ring. Now I had to fight for my position of finishing right behind Sean. All three of them hit the run-up before I did but at the top one clipped his bike on a stake and toppled over which allowed me to continuing running while the other two tried to remount there. I remounted last but i was out in front of these three and started the last climb...one of the guys caught me but I was happy with that as my body was entering a hang-over induced translucent state of pain. I could not catch Sean and I tip my hat to him as we have had some very fun races this season and he has just been getting better all season. Nice race Sean!! Good luck in Bend this weekend and I look forward to re-connecting on some MTB, short track or next cross season.
Final results for the Mongers Mstr C's at WinterX were impressive: Sean finished in 8th (10th overall for the GPMC - CONGRATS!), I finished 10th and Ryan was 25th out of 52. Next year the Mongers Mstr Cs is going to be brutally competitive. Time to hit the trainer ;)
When I rode my first X race I was hooked on the competition but of course I never thought I would be fighting it out at the top level of any category. That takes serious biking dedication that my climbing interests would not allow (only so much time). However, as the BMCC started forming I began to hear from the Lady Mongers about their 'nemesis' that they would see and race against every weekend. Being that the Mens Cats are so big its hard to find riders who consistently come out. What I have learned is the internal team rivalries are just as good for pushing one another towards the finish line and better results. I guess in a non-team sport, such that cycling is, that is what your teammates are for: pushing you during the race and drinking beer after the race.
All the best to everyone for a Happy Holiday it has been a great Cross season!!
Save the date of Thursday, January 26th, 2012 for the BMCC season ending party at the Beermongers where we will give out the Rider of the Year award and the Mongrel of the Year award.
Cheers,
TC
