Saturday Day 01: Up hill time trial on Mill Mountain; 3 miles and 900 feet.
Starting at the Star Mart at the bottom of the hill, heading up the alley just off Walnut (past the man trimming his hedges w/ a 2 cycle gas powered trimmer), right on Sylvan, onto Monument Trail just below Terra Alta House, cross the road at the Monument, continue up hill on Ridge Line Trail (over the switch back I helped to build), past the zoo and Discovery Center for the final push up the grassy knoll to the upper picnic shelter. This was no picnic, though.
With a late start from the shop (East Coasters) and pulling a Ron Glowczynski by arriving at the start gate with elevated heart rate and 20-25 seconds to 'go' I managed a pretty good time, so I thought, of 20 minutes 11 seconds for 4th in 35-44 men expert and 6th overall. I was hoping for top 3 and sub 20. (maybe next year without sapping myself just trying to get to the race.) Then back to work at the shop where I spent another hour helping customers before being able to change out of my kit and shoes. (Thanks to Wes, Ted, and Bob for hanging in there while I left to go race!)
Sunday Day 02: Carvins Cove Cross Country Mtn Bike Race.
Expert Course 20 miles: rolling start down pavement to full throttle at the gate, left onto Songbird, right onto fire road, left onto Enchanted Forest, cross the creek, right onto Lower Comet, left up 1000' climb, left onto Hemlock Tunnel, left onto fire road, right onto Upper Comet across to Lower Comet, left up 1000' climb, right onto Four Gordge, left up Hi-Dee-Ho (of pain), right along fire road, right down Bucks Rut, right onto Hotel and finish at the parking lot... finally.
Man it was hot. mid 90's hot. Praise God for the cool breezes out of nowhere when we needed it the most along slow exposed steep climbs, and thanks to Dick Howard for dumping cold water and Warren S. handing out cool bottles of water. Did I mention it was hot? That was Wes with a look of surprise from the refreshing cool water. Man, it took my breath away when I got my refresher on trip two up the 1000' climb. Made me crave a 7-Up or Sierra Mist the rest of the race.
What a way to start a race, though. Nothing but having a Sunday ride in the woods on my mind and no pressure. Sure. There were guys who are usually faster than me, but most of them had not raced in the Time Trial. Not to mention, one of those faster than me at the time trial (Warren Carswell) was not racing today and the only racer behind me (Warren S on the Singlespeed) opted out of the XC race. By default and just finishing, I was guaranteed 3rd in the Overall... so I thought. I had forgotten about the experts being combined for overall and there was one more in the 19+ age group that could have displaced me. But I was just heading for a conservative but steady fast paced 20 mile Sunday Ride in the woods... with a smile on my face. Did I mention it was hot?! Check out the sweat stains on my jersey!It was a scramble for the entrance to Songbird with Gary Roach taking the risky move of the allowed shortcut. Ed Dickenson was next with entry onto the official trailhead. Someone bobbled and the rest of us bottlenecked and ended up tire to tire on single track. Not really caring much, I hung back last in line. Finally, some passing started, and I fell into a group with Davy Hazelgrove of Blackwater Bikes Lynchburg, VA and some fella I didn't recognize. As Davy and the other battled a bit, I hung back and conserved while taking the new log bridge crossing on Songbird. Wait a minute... playing around during a race?! It was a good day ;-p I shouted encouragement to Davy as he and the other battled around a bit. This was Davy's first Expert Race after winning Kyle Inman's series in the sport class. Davy was no stranger to the distance and terrain, but I think the high speed start and battle royal for hole shot caught him a bit by surprise.
Later on Lower Comet, I took a stump jump short cut (still playing around) and passed Davy and the other. Shouting encouragement back to Davy and feeling well warmed and ready for the 1000' climb, I lit my afterburners. When who do I see fixing a flat... Chris P. Suddenly by the fates, I've moved from 3rd to 2nd overall. I just had to maintain the lead.
Once on the dusty 1000' climb, I started picking off the riders. Little did I know, most of them were non racers. None the less, I kept climbing like the El Gato I am. Latching onto a Cardinal Jersey, I caught Charles of Cardinal Bicycles at the entrance to Hemlock Tunnel... where he left me like I was sitting still in a rocking chair. That is until suddenly I was on his rear wheel as the trail leveled out and started heading upwards again. Passing with a steady pace and purpose, I proceeded to shake Charles off my back and out of sight before the next downhill onto Upper Comet. (Sometimes, all you have to do is get out of sight to end the pursuit.) I was having a great day, and my decision to gloveless had paid off with easier feeding access into my pockets. Did I mention it was hot and dusty! Check out the line just about my socks. That's no tan line. And yes, those are Roanoke Valley Mountain Bike Patrol Socks...Well. keeping the pace and rolling like a Forest Leprechaun, I passed some spectators at the 4 Way Intersection saying I was only 2 minutes back.. from whom? I had no idea who was still in front of me at that point. Little did I know.. it was precious few.
Rolling onto the 1000' Climb for round 2, I passed Andrew Issem, junior racer and son of Mythical Legendary Rob Issem. Riding Support was his mother, Christina. Way to go you two. Well, I got my breathtaking cold water douse as I hit the Four Gordges Trail. What a crazy feeling to race on trails I helped build over almost 3 years ago. Keeping the pace and wondering if I'll catch anyone else. I cruised along the connector trail.
Bamm. With a left turn, Hi-Dee-Hoe hit me like Hulk Hogan body slamming Andre the Giant in Wrestle Mania. Well, I made it to the first sharp left turn anyway before dismounting like usual on this steep, hot, crazy climb. Did I mention Praise God for the cool breezes?! I don't think I got any real consistent remounts the rest of climb. I also started battling cramps at this point. I knew I was only losing time by walking, but I was staying in the race. Funny, where's Chris P.? He should have caught me by now.Hitting the top of the ridge with a solid remount, I fending off cramps and starting picking up the pace... from walking speed.. and heading with a purpose towards Bucks Rut. Picking up courage, I started the descent and slid off the trail. Bobbling at a creek crossing as Buck's Rut melds into Hotel, I knew I was tired.. especially as Gretchen Wilson's 'Red Neck Girl' came to mind. I hung in there, like Christmas lights on your front porch all year long, and maintained a smart steady ride, hoping to prevent anyone from catching me. Still a Sunday Ride in the Woods... Well a long steady Sunday ride in the woods anyway.
Finally. At 2:09:44, I rolled into the finish. Less than 10 minutes back on Ed Dickenson and not more than 15 minutes back from Gary Roach. Wait a minute. Is that all?!! I had just placed 3rd in Men's expert 35-44!! Sweet! With only Ed in front of me (remember that Gary did not race the time trial) and the 19+ expert guy dnf'ing... I had placed 2nd overall in Omnium!! Ultimate Bonus. What a great weekend. Not to mention, Chris P. after flatting a 2nd time was talked into finishing by Wes Best, racing on a Trek 69er, and just for finishing, Chris placed 3rd in the omnium... still in the money. WAY to Go, Chris. See you at Rowdy Dawg 12 oct 2008.. I'm sure you'll put the hurt on.
See the Forest Leprechaun's Gold?! 3rd in men's Expert 35-44 xc race and 2nd overall in the Roanoke Mountain Bike Omnium. Check out the check.. made out to Dave 'the Forest Leprechaun' Tompkins. It's not often El Gato the Forest Leprechaun places on the podium let alone with prize money! Check out the koozies and tire levers too. Thanks Maxxis.
A final shout out:
Props to Wes Best, my boss and co-owner of East Coasters Bicycles - I didn't think you would show. Good to see you out there... warming up for cross season.
Props to Maggie Crawford and Susan Heck of the Diva Dirt Girls. Excited to see ya racing and placing... you two are better than you think.
Props to Ron G and crew for another fun event with Roanoke Cycling.
God Bless you Dick Howard and Warren S. for the cool water on the 1000' climb.
Keep the rubber side down and the smiles rolling along.
