chasing ghost!

looking at the weather forecast friday for saturdays race wasnt looking good, mostly thinking that i would hate to drive all the way to the race for a cancellation, as for as racing in the mud or rain never is a big deal. I think most of my rides all winter were in crap conditions.

Saturday morning did the usual race day prep, up at 5 eat half dozen waffles the frozen kind, usually on weekends Bettina will make homemade waffles, but there was no getting here up at 5. so i headed out the door around 6 or so wanted to get there early to preride the course, i havent ridden here since the race last year, and with all the road construction! The preride was great, the course was a little slick in spots but nothing any mtb racer couldnt handle. So 9am rolls around and we line up, the difference in this race is were missing a few of the guys i like racing against Chris was in ohio, im not sure were Mr Breslin was? it would of been nice to race against Kurt again strong dude.

So the race start didnt change for me i went hard knowing there was the king of the mountain climb with 20bucks waiting for me at the top of the first climb, Brenden jumped on my wheel for the first half of the climb kinda had me sweating for a bit, once I got into the single track I got into a nice groove felt great about 3 laps in the course got really fast, I could almost see Chris and Dave up ahead around every corner, Kurt was at the top of every climb, you guys were my ghost and my motivation, every training ride i do has them, especially the night rides kind of freaks me out sometimes anyway passed chad on lap 10 he was looking strong and caught up to Brenden on lap 11 looking strong as well he was wondering how close chad was, they had there own battle going on. finishing up the last lap we got a nice little down poor. felt sorry for the beginner race we had a near perfect course and they more than likely at the very least a really slick course. well i finally got one of those cool state jerseys I have wanted since i was a beginner racer. congrats to Brenden Mcnamee for a strong second place and Chad Brixey for a strong third. James and all the guys that help put on the race great job i look forward to that event next year...

Finishing time 3:05 11 laps average heart rate 157 4500ft of climbing if it was accurate!