The forecast was for severe thunderstorms and perhaps snow, but the race went on in nice cool weather with some wind.
JHK and I were at it again.
After the neutral roll out I put in a couple of attacks and got the hole shot from Collin Cares. JHK passed at the top and counter attacked hard thru the Lowder Ponds area. I covered the move despite sheep and ATV's in our way, we were flying!!!
I made a small mistake and stuffed my wheel but caught on quickly. A chase could be seen about two minuets back but they were not coming back to us, we were on the attack.
This time I played my cards perfectly and surged for the hole shot to the dreaded Dark Hollow decent. I was on the gas and riding the descent very smooth. JHK caught back on as we finished the gnarly descent. With only four miles left it was a game of cat and mouse thru the feed. I was the cat this time and I sprung two full-out attacks, the second at sprint pace, for the top of the last big climb. I got a small gap but it didn't hold. The plan was to stay aggressive and hope to have a little edge coming into the last trail again but fate would not allow.
As I rocketed down the decent ready for the last tough single track I heard the dreaded his of a blow out. It would not seal! Then after a fast tube fix I hit the front tire with air and there was a hole in the tube!! Rats.
I rode the last 4 miles on the flat front tire. I was slowed down but not defeated and finished 14th.
Not too shabby. Congrats to my Trek/Volkswagen teammates and staff Dusty, Zack and Laura on a great summer campaign of champagne! Ross was 2nd today and Leah was 4th.
TO BE CONTINUED........
Jeremiah
Labels: NMBS Recaps
