JB's Adventure Blog: Mountain Cross

On Sunday, Erin, Andy, Misty and I carpooled up to Maryland for the Kelley Acres Cross Race.

'Oh yea!' I thought to myself as we made our first lap around the course. It was a really fun old-school cross course with some roots, ravines and even a decent sized few hills to climb.

The barriers were made of tied down logs that were perfect for the log hoppers like Gunner and myself.

The start wasn't so hot for me and while following Kyle Hammaker thru turn one I dropped my chain and it knotted up. Not good. I stopped next to the pit as not to pass it this time and got back on track.

I got it off and thought 'oh boy this is going to be interesting'... To my amazement I had some great speed and that extra burst of adrenaline that lets you hang it out and pull some crazy passes...

After a full lap I had cut thru the entire field thanks to a tough course with good climbing that was great for passing. Just as I was about to make contact with the top-5 group of Wess, Gallager, Hammaker, Wittwer, and Russ Langley, Wess started to pull away. I knew I had to be up there or I'd miss the boat. Good thing I got to the front of the chase group because I heard all of this cursing and carnage on one of the technical up hills as Russ rolled a tire!

It took a good half a lap of more turbo to get there, but just as I got on terms with Wess we reached the largest log hop and I used the extra speed I had on the exit to spring an attack.

After that I just put it in mountain bike race mode for some concentrated hammering. I had a smooth jamm and felt great, much to my surprise.

Andy had another nice top-10 finish, coming in 8th place, and is learning fast, and Misty put in her first cross race ever to finish with class in the B women's race. Erin was missing being a part of the action, but will just be more motivated for next season.

After the race, we went to see Jeff Shalk and Anna's new place in FredRock. We went out to dinner and had some cheese cake before driving back to the mountains and into the sunset.

1 114 Bishop Jeremiah Trek/VW Harrisonburg VA 32
2 108 Schempf Weston C3-Sollay.com! Centre Hall PA 32 1
3 104 gallagher michael C3-SOLLAY.COM Chambersburg PA 36 1
4 111 Hammaker Kyle Scott Bikes Marysville PA 21
5 110 Wittwer Greg ALAN North America Cycling Team RICHMOND VA 25 n/a
6 102 Dombrowski Joseph Haymarket Bicycles p/b Function Drinks Marshall VA 18
7 116 Buckles Jeffrey ALAN Richmond VA 22
8 113 McKeegan Andy KBS/LSV Harrisonburg VA 25
9 105 Haymes Mason Altius Cycling Team Richmond VA 29 2
10 109 schmidt chris bike lane

I also got a victory lap in a Shelby Cobra... the sound from the engine was terrifying but cool!

posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 1:19 PM

Mountain Cross

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