After getting sick, getting better, moving, and not riding a whole lot, the Franklin WORS race felt like a mysterious mountain looming in the distance.
It turned out to simply be the trash heap that is the Crystal Ridge ski area, where the race is hosted. This year we climbed up the start hill, hammered around to the singletrack, and then dove into tight, twisty hardpack. Once you were in the woods there was no hope of passing, so a good start was important.
I missed my pedal, got bumped, clipped out, clipped in, and then realized I'd missed the boat. Most of the field was ahead of me. Going into the woods in nearly last position was frustrating, so I resolved to do the only thing I could do:
Save my energy for when I could pass and attack like a demon once I got the chance. The first lap was a waste, with a few complete stops in the singletrack for people who couldn't steer. I just kept my breathing under control and had some snacks while we were stopped.
On the second lap things started to open up, so I made up a few spots here and there. It wasn't until the final lap that I really started jamming and got a gap at the start of the singletrack. It was time to open it up, and boy howdy did I rip some singletrack.
After riding through most of the singletrack alone on that last lap, I caught Bruce Lagerquist (Trekie) as he rode behind a junior. Once we passed the junior, we were nearly at the long climb up the hill. I knew this was it, so I let it all hang out on the climb. After dropping Bruce, I quickly caught John Fang.
Coming off of the switchback sections near the peak, I dropped John and had a gap by the time we got to the last steep final climb. I gunned it and opened up the propedal for the descent.
I only caught and passed a few people for the rest of the lap, and rolled in for 6th. Not bad, considering I was almost last when the race started on a course with little passing room.
No more racing for this guy for a month. Work is busy, but I'll be busy training.
