Mas O Menos-Race Report

The weather predicted was harsh... but reality is ... wait.. there is no reality in the desert.

It was not your average Mountain Bike Race, It was more like a Road Time Trial, or at least that is what it felt like. This race was the first race on the Ultra Endurance National Calendar and the Texas Cross Country Circuit (TMBRA.ORG) . Luckily for me it was the last Marathon race for the Texas Marathon Series, it is official, I am the defending Texas State Marathon Champion for 2008. Yipee!! Two Down!!

They start the Pro Women on the line with the ProMen and we have a neutral start until the road crossing. And you come over the road and onto the gravel road, now of course it is a very fast start and I must say, I had a hard time seeing what was in front of me. So, I didn't do my usual hard sprint start, this paticuliar course had a lot of rollers, tight loose gravel turns, with some nice unexpected dips and trenches along the way. So, choosing a good line is a Must. As the guys tear out of there and just leave a Cloud of Dust for View> I didn't know where any of the girls were, until Jennifer Wilson (Titus) came by me.. Of course, I couldn't let that happen, and turn it up a couple more notches. We come onto the single track and it is just a train of guys in front , were all moving nicely. until the first little loose Power Climb, a lot of people are having to get off their bikes. Thankfully for my cycle cross training, If I have to get off of my bike, I am sure to be running my bike up the climb. Well, I then get passed in the Valley of thick gravel . So, I am now behind some guy who is directly behind Jennifer Wilson. As we get out back onto the open single track, I am really itching here.. I know this is where I am fast. I hear the guy in front of me asks to pass, as He goes around Jennifer, I stay on his wheel and go right by here, brushing up against some sticker bush... ouch.. that Hurt
I begin to go hard, I look ahead, and I can see Lucas, I keep him in sight for a while and come by to pass.. I had wondered if he knew I started with the guys.. Come to find out, he thought I started five minutes back. oops. Well, it is not until the first Great Big Climb, I could look down, and see Jenifer starting to make the climb.. ***Crap** I am in my middle chain ring and pushing up this thing, trying to stay focused, as the climb gets a bit technical towards the top. I never see her again, however, I know she is not too far behind and still chasing. I do get passed by the leader in the Men's Expert 30-39 class, Dan Optke (San Jose) Boy, is he fast. He came by me on the climb just spinning his legs so fast, I had to take a double take.. I couldn't believe it. Wow.. Then, at the top of the climb, we still had some more climbing to do, more like false flats. Before the Long sketchy loose gravel Descent, which typically I Love descending.. but, after my 2 flats on the preride, I knew the last thing I needed was flat, so descended conservatively. Luckily for me I changed my front tire to a Kenda Nevagal . Sweet Tire. It could handle any loose corner at great speeds.
Well, I didn't see another guy until starting the second lap, I then ride with John Rigdeon whom is pretty fast in the open sections. Going into the second lap, for the Last time making it to the Climb. Well, before the climb , way.. before the climb.. we have our 2nd feed zone area before you cross the road , to the road that leads to the Big Climb. I have to stop and grab my feeds out of my cooler, and Ridgen passes me on the feed. And as I get back on the bike , I see them ahead on the jeep road , looking back, and attacking.. I was in my big ring going as hard as I could to catch up to them. Finally, catch up, and how sweet it was to see John Sanborn (Dallas Bike Works) ... He was a bit disappointed I had caught him. Though, the wind changed directions as we hit that final Climb, so you were climbing into a head wind, and I had to drop down into my granny ring, which I never do. And I felt like I was going backwards at this point. And then, Lucas (Bike Plus) came spinning past me. I started to feel my rhythm again on the downhill, and unlike the first lap, I was now thinking of my record time. I didn't know it at the time, but I did manage to beat my record by a minute. Finished first Place with 4 hrs and 51 minutes. I want to thank Kenda, for the Great Awesome Tires. And My Super Fast World Champion Bike. The Orbea Alma "Absalon" , edition, Sweet, stiff , Very Fast Bike. You can get your very Own Special Edition Alma Absalon Bike at Austin Bikes in Austin, Texas. The Tires and the Bike makes a Huge Difference. Oh, and I have to Thank Rudy at the Finish Line, Therapy Center, for my great massage I had before My trip. (And afterwards!)