As the end of the MTB season nears, I find myself wondering where the year went. Sometimes time really does get away from you.
Ill go back to Treadfest, which was last weekend. I am still working on my starts and this race I got to the top of the start climb just outside of the top 5, although I was all by myself. Eventually I caught Issac and we were slowly getting gained up on by Corey and Kevin. Once they latched on we had a good pace going and Issac eventually faded off.
I felt strong on the hills so I tried to open up any gap I could but apparently Corey and Kevin were also feeling good. We rode the whole race together until Corey threw in an attack and open up an instant gap then Kevin went around me and got away as well. I rolled through the finish line in 8th place.
Now on the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40. This race always draws a huge crowd, including some big names. Once again I find myself struggling to stay in position at the start but this race is even harder to stay up front because you are at really high speeds, on black top about 10 people wide. Its something that experience will defiantly help with.
I stayed near the front until Rosies field but exiting the field I could just hear the four wheeler pulling away and was by myself again! I pushed hard trying to get up to the next group that I could see off in the distance but it was no good, I ended up sitting up a bit to be caught by the group behind so that we could work together. Although not many people wanted to work in that group.
It wasn't the smartest or most tactical race I've ever been in but most of us stayed together until the Fire Tower hills. Me and one other guy attacked the hills and got away and eventually started slowly picking off a few guys that must of popped of one of the leading groups. It was a struggle in the last roller coaster section, they seemed to never end!
I kept pushing with what I had left in the tank and rolled through the finish in 24th place. A little outside my goals, but overall Im happy with my time. Races like this will get me the confidence at the starts that I need to make that lead group and stay there.
