Yesterdays race at Double Lake made this my 5th year of racing and broke the tie between finishing and DNF’s at our hometown course.
2010 – Cat3 Win
2011 – SS Open 4th
2012 – Pro/Cat1 DNF
2013 – Cat1 DNF
2014 – Cat1 Win
It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since those guys at EnvrioInks convinced me to do a TMBRA race, the Double Lake race. The race bug got me at that race and my racing ‘career’ has been an up and down battle between love and hate for the sport. Yesterday was a high point.
On the start Dominic got out a little in front of us. I closed him down and had my front wheel at his crank as we approached the funnel and he waved me through. We set off in to the single track and while I didn’t win the hole shot as I wanted, somehow the race was going to plan. We hit the first right-of-way and I thought I’d test the field. Surging ahead I went wide open until the 180 turn back in to the single track. While the move spread the field out, there were still 4-5 guys breathing down my neck. Much to my dismay Tootall was back there.
On the jeep road climb I attacked again and briefly broke away but Dale was quick to grab my back wheel. I threw everything I had at him and the rest of the guys on that climb and they were still back there. I decided to back it down some and be patient; I wasn’t powering away from my 4-5 man entourage.
About ¾’s the way through lap1 Dale went down. Tootall bridged up to me and told me of the wreck. Maybe 5 minutes later I hear talking in the group and Dale is back! Geez, this is not good I thought, we were rolling a good pace through the woods and he’s somehow closed us down.
I led the whole first lap and as soon as I got through the sand pit I opened it up again to attack the group. I put a gap in to the field but it cost me and I had no choice but to back it down and recover in the single track. My gap was quickly gone as Dale was there with me again. A short time later we’re back to 3-4 riders again. Dang if Tootall isn't in there too.
We get to the first right-of-way and Dale comes around me. I’m all but appreciative of this move. It’s not easy work sitting at the front, I’ll follow someone else’s lines and let them pull on the open roads. Halfway through the first lap it’s just Dale, me, then Tootall and I’m now focused on saving energy until that last fire road. I have to get to the single track at the end of the road in first.
We get out to the fire road and I quickly grab Dale’s wheel and tuck in. Tootall is a little ways back and I don’t see him on my wheel. Dale starts taking up the pace but I feel like he’s out of burst energy. I sit there for about 10 seconds but I am not a patient man. I attack and open a gap and just keep driving the pedals until the single track. When I hit the single track I’ve got a nice gap on Dale and Tootall is back a ways from him. I keep the pace up in the single track but I back it down so I can recover a little. 2 minutes in and I still have a huge gap on Dale, I don’t even see or hear him. Another few minutes and I still don’t see or hear him.
Here I tell myself ride defensive, we don’t need a mishap and if they close I’m in the prime spot and I like my chances at a sprint finish. Midway through the Luge I hear Dell and catch a glimpse of his red kit. I’m on it again. I’m not giving up the gap that easy. I exit the single track and I know I’ve won but I don’t take any chances and push through the finish line.
That was a good win and I had the 2nd fastest overall time in cat1. I was extremely pleased with the race and the time. Happy racing anniversary to me!
One thing I’d like to say is Toot’s has a motor now. He’s always been fast but it was mostly due to really good bike handling but damn, he’s finally got a motor. I’m going to have to go race the 40 class now as I figure he’s figured something out and will likely get stronger going forward. Good job Andrew, I’m pretty damn impressed, I threw everything I had at you every time I had a chance and you were still there like my shadow!
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