Powderhorn womens b3 Cx report
From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Oct 22, 2007 9:00 AM
This years course was a bit less taxing compared to last year, which
was appreciated as last year I remember different levels of pain on
each lap! During my warmup, I think I was the first person to sample
the MFD-induced mud pit prior to the triple barrier section. Somehow
I landed on my bike (derailleur-side down) when trying to dismount.
Good thing it was relatively warm still since my backside was soaked
(and muddy)! Good news also that the XT derailleur still shifted
appropriately!
Looked like we again had good turnout in the C race with Lee, Lynne,
Chris & Mary, Bill, Gains Bros, & county cycles guys Joe & Aaron.
Rich, Jeff I & myself lined up in the Bs wondering where in the world
was MarkA, but it appears he was doing very important Red Barn course
work!
Lined up having a better start position compared to at boom (goal of
race), but waited around forever for officials to finish tabulating
the C race results (they really have a tough job). After the start I
maintained a decent position. In the first real turn, my rear end
slid 2+ft to the right (thanks no doubt to the Ritchey Speedmax
stellar stickiness in grass…, running sticky twister up front), but
stay up losing no positions. Despite a good start, I was not able to
capitalize on a good start because I lost loads of momentum through
the triple bouncing log obstacle as I decided to run this since the
logs were already sort of diagonal. I lost sight of all contendors
but one B-wood whom I kept in sight & focused on staying close to her
the rest of the race.
On the last lap, I was able to trade places with b-wood south of the
lake. She passed me back in the rhythm section (I rode, she ran), but
I kept her close & was even with her at the top of the hill. Sort of
fun having a 2-up sprint at the end of 45 min. Forced her to lead out
& jumped after the last turn, holding her off at the line!
Other notes….first time I ran the rhythm section, but decided to
ride the remaining times since the running wasn’t feeling good. Ran
the big hill each time to keep momentum. Faster to shoulder & run the
triple barrier section than suitcase the bike. Stupid mistakes of
weeks past seemed to have worked themselves out, so very satisfying
race in that respect…Shared part of my 10 block ride home with Gains
bros, at which point I noticed my legs really hurt! Yet another
superfun course/race!
Thanks for reading!
Sara