2021 has been an odd year with the Pandemic lingering a lot of the regularly scheduled events in the Spring and summer ended up having to postpone until the fall. Generally speaking, bike racing doesn’t take high priority for me in the fall. So, to make a long story short I think this was my 3rd? Actual event this year. With that said I did a few bigger rides throughout the year with the Pisgah 99(115), spent some time on the Colorado Trail, but that’s different from racing.
Despite feeling a little off pace, I was excited to get back out and race bikes to say the least. I’ve been riding a fair bit lately but I haven’t really had too many “hard” days and just haven’t felt like I’ve had the jump I’ve had in years past. With that said I have been starting to feel a little stronger lately, but still not where I’ve been before.
Anyhow, the Swank last year was a pretty rough day for me. I never really got anything going and overall felt like poo, on top of that I had a few crashes. Going into the race I was actually a little nervous, having not raced much since then, and knowing that I do put pressure on myself to do my best. I just wasn’t really sure what to expect.
Leading up to the race I’d had a lot of thoughts of riding my SingleSpeed, on some level it helps keep me from doing dumb things and sort of forces some on course recovery. However, after a ride this week on my squishy bike I made the decision to go with it. Also, this was going to be my last race in the 30-39 category before being forced to age up next year so I felt like I should give it a go.
Some heavy rain on Thursday pulled down a lot of the remaining leaves and kept a few things a little damp and slick but the sun had been out Friday and Saturday so by and large we had some great conditions. The race went back to a true mass start this year and this course goes almost straight into a choke point then hits single track pretty quickly. A good starting position is pretty critical, being the polite guy that I am I didn’t push far enough forward.
We got started, immediately things ball up and I’m forced to make 2-3 passes I didn’t want to. Then I pick up a few more spots but not quite enough before we get to the single track and I get caught behind a few folks who seem to be struggling. This is singletrack that I ride a couple times a week, so I’m pretty familiar, but alas racing’s racing.
We pop back out on the road and Joe comes around with some serious pep, so I oblige and hop on his wheel. This is a spot where I felt like I over did it last year without a lot of gain, so when he moved to let me pull, I kept a more even pace. Over to Clawhammer and I was getting settled into what I felt like was a good pace for the day, trying really hard not to overdo it up this climb. I really wanted to have some legs for the last climb of the day up Maxwell.
A little way into the Clawhammer climb and there was Katie and the kids with a sign and bells, so awesome seeing those guys. Clichés be damned they are my world right now. Rolling up Clawhammer I had about 5 in tow I think, I tried to get them to do some of the pace making but I kept finding myself back on the front of the group. I was able to hold some conversation so I felt like my pace was ok, maybe too conservative but honestly, I was ok Erring on that side today.
Up to the singletrack on Black and I was able to separate from the crew. Up near the top I still had one lingering but as soon as we started down, he was gone. I felt good descending Avery, unfortunately about half way down I saw my buddy Keith changing a flat on the side of the trail, always hate seeing that happen.
Avery was all smiles and through the aid station at the end of Buckhorn and on to the gravel. I kept seeing Chad up ahead, I tried a couple times to close the gap without burning too many matches but was never able to. Then we hit Bennett Gap, the leaves were thick and I was discombobulated….so slow. I just couldn’t find my rhythm and I swear I hit every damn thing out there. Flashes of the Days of Thunder line when Harry tells cole to hit the pace car kept going through my head, so at least I was smiling. Near the bottom Jacob came around, man he’s a smooth descender.
I did manage to catch someone on the bottom of Bennett, I made the assumption he was in my class so it was time to race. After a little small talk at the bottom of Clawhammer, I started to ratchet up the pace. He started to fall back, so I kept my foot on the gas. It wasn’t long before I had a gap. The finish was a little easier this year without the hike up to Hickory Knob and the re-route on Black Mtn being a little bit of an easier ride.
So, goal #1 achieved, I had legs on the last climb. Secondary goal was to be in under 3 hours, cresting the top of Black I looked down…2:48 or so…uh oh…gotta go. I still didn’t go nuts but I did push a little and managed to cross the line at like 2:59 and change so just made it. Honestly, it’s hard not to be super excited with the day. I ended up 3rd in the Vet Men category, achieved both goals but unfortunately, I’m one of those folks who always wants more.
I do think I left a little out there, but I think I learned a pretty good lesson as to how much fun it can be when you don’t overdo it early.
Overall, the Sycamore Cycles Collective had a pretty big day as well, with a big turnout of riders from the shop and Podiums in the Open Men, Open Women, Masters, Vet Men, and Singlespeed. If there were enduro stages there would have been some pretty solid representation there as well. It’s a pretty good cross section of riders.
