July 1, 2013
ProGRT & GES Medals for My 3rd Place Run
What a weekend. Three jerseys on the podium. Got my first podium 2 seconds behind Justin. We rounded out cat 2 30-39 with second and third place. Stoked. Windham is a respectable course. It has a bit of everything; drops, big tables, rock gardens, pedal sections (strength, cardio, tech skills and balls). To win here means more to me than the other venues. And to do it side-by-side with my teammate couldn’t be better.
Cat 2, 30-39 Podium
Rained all week before practice. Things were sloppy to start practice on Friday and Sat. Lots of drainage running off the mountain. Lots of big mud pits. Rock gardens were mostly soaked. As practice was finishing on Sat. it started drying up in a lot of sections. I was trying my best to follow Looney into some lines but he would ghost me the minute he took off. I knew he was going to kill his race run. My practice went well. I spent my time riding sections at speed without going all-out. Ended the day feeling fast. It was calling for rain on race day.
Half of the team got pizzas and went back to our cabin 2 miles off the mountain. Amy, Mike R., Justin, Audrey and I went to a steak house. We ate goood, boy. Drank good beers and good liquor. It was a great time and certainly a highlight of the trip for me. Good food, good friends, bikes.
The first practice run on race day is always a little stiff. No exception here. Loosened up over the course of the next two hours and started feeling fast. It started getting real dry. Rain held. Come race run time, Justin and I rode the lift up together. We were picked up a golden painted chair. No lie. Didnt see this chair all practice long. We looked at each other and sort of knew this meant something. It was a super cool feeling to ride that golden chair up to our race runs.
We got to the top. My name missed the start list. So I went to the officials and told them I was just going to jump in line in the order of my plate. Remember, this was ProGRT race. So these were UCI officials, not GES officials. If you don’t already know, that means they rule with an iron fist. Told me I was gonna run last in my class. I told them that I refused to be penalized for a clerical error that someone else made. They let me go in the proper order. I got down with a 5:05. Sat in the hot seat for two more riders until I got beat out. Sitting in second now. Watching Justin come down. It was getting closer and closer to my time. Wanted to beat him so bad. He edged me out by about 2 secs. All good. Big congrats, J….. next time : )
Justin bringing it home.
Off the top of the ladder in practice.
Can’t say enough about Looney, Waskie and Monger. These guys are fast. Looney went on a tear from hell. When we saw him finish on that bottom double, he was soaring in the air seemingly 30 feet above ground. Came down nose-heavy with a giant THUD but in total control. Pedaled his ass off through the timers, slid out in the finish area and laid flat on the ground to a roaring crowd applaud. 4:11. Held that time as the fastest time on the field for what felt like 45 minutes. Sick run. Nailed first place. Moving up to Cat 1.
Pat Looney takes flight in practice.
Cat 2 19-29 podium. Congrats Patrick Looney!
Waskie was on a burner but clipped a tree. Think he broke his pinky. Time was still sick (4:25) and he aired out the double like a pro. Welcome back Danny. Monger came in after two race run crashes. Still a great time, but understandably a bit bummed. We all had a great weekend. We all walked away. And that’s what it’s really about. Right Mike? : ) Dan Wolf, who came up with Monger and Pat, won his category in XC. Owned that race and took the podium. Congrats Dan.
Broken or jammed?
Dan airing out the double in his race run.
Mike & Amy both had great days. Mike was on his new Status and it must’ve felt right cause he finished one place better than any other race on a really tough course. Stoked for him. Amy had her first race as a pro. Not sure she liked the long wait time, but she finished mid-pack. Considering how youthful this field is, and the fact that Amy basically walked on to pro, her abilities are remarkable. Only progression from here, girl!
Amy on a practice run.
Mike Render on his race run.
Dan Wolf first place XC Cat 1 19-29.
One hand wheelie on the Lime.
Peaceful solo ride at the end of practice.
Neko low on a left line no one else took.
Pro women's podium.
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Two Logans and a Neko.
BJ reversing the luck on his plate.
Gutted by his race results, Monger ended it all.
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