Date: March 10, 2002
Event: Central Coast CX MTB Race 3
Category: Expert Men 35+
Time: ~1h51m! Argh!
Laps: 5
Distance: 25 miles
Place: 5th
Field: 8 racers!

With Sea Otter Classic quickly approaching, I decided to get some race time on my good ole mountain bike. The Central Coast CX crew threw together a nice little spring race series for this year. This last race of the series was located in Fort Ord down in Monterey. This is the same area as the Sea Otter so conditions would be similar.

Speaking of conditions, a storm came in Saturday night and threatened to make Sunday’s race another messy one. Luckily, it broke by morning and was only misting. By my race start the sun had come out and it was getting warm.

Joining me in this race was my Sycip teammate Kenny. Boy was he fired up. Big grin on his face from the time he warmed up until the gun went off and we raced up the hill. Well, at least I think he still had the grin on his face by the hill. I couldn’t tell you for fact since I was huffing and puffing to keep up with the mad sprint from the start.

You see, in mountain bike racing, there’s this weird notion that you need to ride as hard and fast as possible from the start and continue until your brain is about to explode through your helmet. This race was no exception. So, I did my best to keep up from the start and hang with the lead pack.

But by the time we hit the back fire road, a long stretch directly into the wind, I was off the back. A stones throw but that might as well have been a mile in that wind. I pushed hard but all I could do was watch them pull away, riding off into the distance.

Drat.

It then became a ghost race for me. One in which there is nobody ahead or behind. When that happens you must continually chase the ghost rider that’s just ahead of you. And you must out ride the ghost rider that’s just behind you. But don’t start talking to those riders or else someone might overhear you and have the men in white jackets waiting for you at the finish.

I rode with the ghosts during the rest of the race. I would catch and pass a real living rider every so often. I did get chased and then chase two single-speeders (!) that were keeping up a heck of a pace. When they finally dropped out of site on the 4th lap I knew I was officially slacking. I cruised the last lap, enjoyed the scenery, had fun on the single-track, and finished up the race.

By the time I rolled in through the finish, Kenny had already relaxed from the race and, of course, was still smiling. Well how could I not join him? So, I smiled and laughed with him as we talked and joked about the race.

Cheers!

p.s. I would like to thank the CCCX guys (Rod, Keith, Dave) for putting together a great event. Also, thanks to Kenny and Sarah for their support and help. Oh, and thanks Rod for the beer at the finish line! :’)