Monday, July 11, 2016
Sierra Cup #4 Sagebrush Scramble
I hadn't raced in this area of Nevada before and didn't realize it was so exposed.The race course was very hard and I dind't even pre-ride that far. It was all climbing from the start and then it just kept climbing until you hit rolling single track. The race was very fun and about half way through 2nd place dropped his chain on an uphill. I got by and bumped up the pace. Then I rode basically alone the rest of the time. There was a mile (or it felt like it) downhill at the end. 3/4 of the way down there was a sharp almost switch back turn and I blew through it off the trail. Thankfully,I was able to get turned around and back on the course without losing much time. It was very hot and I pushed my pace which made me almost cramp up on the downhill. I placed 2nd and was happy for the points towards Nationals.
Prairie City Race Series
Race #1
I was very excited to race Prairie City again since I loved the series last year and the year before. I felt confident about my strength because of all of the training I've been doing with Julie. I never know where I'm going to start in the big crowd of people so I just kinda filed in behind the sport men and then got shuffled back to my class.I had a good start but on the first corner someone slid out 90 degrees from the other racers, put a foot down, slid some more and then fell. I just kept going and was first to the long straight hill. After that, I thought it was a good race. I ended up first which is a great start to the series. Thanks to everyone who's given me advice and training. Also, Roseville Cyclery for the awesome bike.
Race #2
After the first race, I felt good for the second race. This time the course went straight down from the start. The top 3 kids in my class got a call up so I was almost guaranteed a good start. The course was good and I was in the lead, or so I thought, until out of no where Jack came flying past me like I was standing still. I had nothing in my legs to attack back. I ended up second but felt pretty good about the series standings.
Race #3
At the start of race 3 I was really wondering if I would beat Jack since his last performance was so "wowing". The start sloped up to the left and the trail hit singel track pretty quick so I knew a good start was key. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind someone in my class on the single track and it was scary to try and pass. Also to my great pleasure (not), Jack and Khy both got really good starts and were 3-4 people ahead of me. Once I got by the kid ahead of me, it was on. I made passes that I usually wouldn't, not bad just uncomfortable to me. The course was really hard to pass on because of the twisty-turny sections. One of the other kids in my class caught the side of a rut and went down. I was able to catch Khy and then finally Jack. Surprised that I was by him, I pedaled my heart out for the rest of the race. I finished 1st and was very pleased.
Race #4
I didn't think the race would happen with the lightning and rain.I pre-rode the course and found out that it was really fun with big berms. My start was great and I was able to maintain the lead and finish first. That was really great because we earned 10 extra points because of the weather.
Race #5
I was 1st in the series and had a good lead thanks to the extra 10 points. Some people said that the course was hard and not fun. WRONG! Well, it was hard and it was easy to get lost but other than that, it was an awesome course. There were two steep climbs at the far end of the course and another in the middle. There was also a rock section and two water bars, that were jumps for me. The start was chaotic. I was in 5th at the start which was sketchy. Then Khy wiped out hard in front of me and I had to swerve to avoid running over his hands. This race Jordan, just recovering from a broken foot and part of Placer Foothills, was racing and was way in front. Jack also took off and was gone. I thought it might be a race for second but was able to catch Jack and pass him on the last lap. I tried to catch Jordan but he was just too fast. I had a great race and finished 2nd. The series points weren't affected because it was Jordan't first time at Prairie City.
Race #6
There were only 4 more races in the series and I was going to miss #7 because of 6th grade camp. That was OK because camp was going to be fun. The two days before the race were complete rest days so I came in with empty legs. I pre-rode the course and loved it. Jordan had won the previous race pretty easily and was racing again today. I felt as ready as I could and had an ok start. I tried as hard as I could but Jordan and Jack gapped me. I finished with 4th at my heals, beating him by only 2 seconds. Jordan was first beating me by 2:37.
Race #7 - sixth grade camp
Race #8
I was excited to get back to Prairie City. I felt good before the race but sick during. Khy got a carbon Norco and he was so fast. He dropped me and Jordan went with him. I felt okay about getting 3rd and was just happy Khy didn't get that bike earlier in the season.
Race #9
I knew I had to race hard since the series was about to wrap up. I raced as hard as I could but Khy still beat me. With Jordan always winning, I placed 3rd but was happy to keep my points lead.
Race #10
I guess they saved the best course for the last. It was super fun because we got to go down into the snake pit motorcycle area. Here's the catch though. You didn't go into the pit the first lap. I forgot and almost dove into the motorcycle area until everyone blew by it. The course was all super fun and I was able to out climb Khy coming out of the pit and pedaled hard to finally beat him. I ended up second which meant that I won the series.
PC awards
The awards were back at the park in Folsom and were super fun but reminded me that the series was over. I had a great time at the playground with my friends.I placed 1st in the beginner men 14-17 class. I had a blast and look forward to next year. Thanks to Sarah and Brian for putting on the races. Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for keeping my bike in great shape for the series. Finally, thanks to Julie Young for the training that's making me stronger and able to do well at my races.
I was very excited to race Prairie City again since I loved the series last year and the year before. I felt confident about my strength because of all of the training I've been doing with Julie. I never know where I'm going to start in the big crowd of people so I just kinda filed in behind the sport men and then got shuffled back to my class.I had a good start but on the first corner someone slid out 90 degrees from the other racers, put a foot down, slid some more and then fell. I just kept going and was first to the long straight hill. After that, I thought it was a good race. I ended up first which is a great start to the series. Thanks to everyone who's given me advice and training. Also, Roseville Cyclery for the awesome bike.
Race #2
After the first race, I felt good for the second race. This time the course went straight down from the start. The top 3 kids in my class got a call up so I was almost guaranteed a good start. The course was good and I was in the lead, or so I thought, until out of no where Jack came flying past me like I was standing still. I had nothing in my legs to attack back. I ended up second but felt pretty good about the series standings.
Race #3
At the start of race 3 I was really wondering if I would beat Jack since his last performance was so "wowing". The start sloped up to the left and the trail hit singel track pretty quick so I knew a good start was key. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind someone in my class on the single track and it was scary to try and pass. Also to my great pleasure (not), Jack and Khy both got really good starts and were 3-4 people ahead of me. Once I got by the kid ahead of me, it was on. I made passes that I usually wouldn't, not bad just uncomfortable to me. The course was really hard to pass on because of the twisty-turny sections. One of the other kids in my class caught the side of a rut and went down. I was able to catch Khy and then finally Jack. Surprised that I was by him, I pedaled my heart out for the rest of the race. I finished 1st and was very pleased.
Race #4
I didn't think the race would happen with the lightning and rain.I pre-rode the course and found out that it was really fun with big berms. My start was great and I was able to maintain the lead and finish first. That was really great because we earned 10 extra points because of the weather.
Race #5
I was 1st in the series and had a good lead thanks to the extra 10 points. Some people said that the course was hard and not fun. WRONG! Well, it was hard and it was easy to get lost but other than that, it was an awesome course. There were two steep climbs at the far end of the course and another in the middle. There was also a rock section and two water bars, that were jumps for me. The start was chaotic. I was in 5th at the start which was sketchy. Then Khy wiped out hard in front of me and I had to swerve to avoid running over his hands. This race Jordan, just recovering from a broken foot and part of Placer Foothills, was racing and was way in front. Jack also took off and was gone. I thought it might be a race for second but was able to catch Jack and pass him on the last lap. I tried to catch Jordan but he was just too fast. I had a great race and finished 2nd. The series points weren't affected because it was Jordan't first time at Prairie City.
Race #6
There were only 4 more races in the series and I was going to miss #7 because of 6th grade camp. That was OK because camp was going to be fun. The two days before the race were complete rest days so I came in with empty legs. I pre-rode the course and loved it. Jordan had won the previous race pretty easily and was racing again today. I felt as ready as I could and had an ok start. I tried as hard as I could but Jordan and Jack gapped me. I finished with 4th at my heals, beating him by only 2 seconds. Jordan was first beating me by 2:37.
Race #7 - sixth grade camp
Race #8
I was excited to get back to Prairie City. I felt good before the race but sick during. Khy got a carbon Norco and he was so fast. He dropped me and Jordan went with him. I felt okay about getting 3rd and was just happy Khy didn't get that bike earlier in the season.
Race #9
I knew I had to race hard since the series was about to wrap up. I raced as hard as I could but Khy still beat me. With Jordan always winning, I placed 3rd but was happy to keep my points lead.
Race #10
I guess they saved the best course for the last. It was super fun because we got to go down into the snake pit motorcycle area. Here's the catch though. You didn't go into the pit the first lap. I forgot and almost dove into the motorcycle area until everyone blew by it. The course was all super fun and I was able to out climb Khy coming out of the pit and pedaled hard to finally beat him. I ended up second which meant that I won the series.
PC awards
The awards were back at the park in Folsom and were super fun but reminded me that the series was over. I had a great time at the playground with my friends.I placed 1st in the beginner men 14-17 class. I had a blast and look forward to next year. Thanks to Sarah and Brian for putting on the races. Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for keeping my bike in great shape for the series. Finally, thanks to Julie Young for the training that's making me stronger and able to do well at my races.
Photo Credit Stephanie Perdue and Jared Mickel
Monday, June 13, 2016
Sierra Cup #3 Ridin' High at the Ranch
I was hoping for a better trip because we were in the Forerunner and some better attitude as well. I fell asleep just before we got there but felt refreshed instead of sleepy.On my pre-ride I noticed the course was very fun and hilly at the start. I felt great before the race and felt great during the race.
The whole first part of the race was uphill. Another racer, Arturo, and I battled the whole time. We both pushed our bike up a hill but I couldn't jump back on fast enough and he passed me. On the last part he sprinted so I wasn't able to pass and we were right together. I the last corner, I wasted some time and couldn't make the pass. I got second.
I was happy with my race and my attitude. My grandpa came to my race for the first time so that was nice. Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for all of the help with keeping my bike and gear in good shape. Thanks to Julie Young for the training and feedback to keep me competitive for first place throughout the race.
The whole first part of the race was uphill. Another racer, Arturo, and I battled the whole time. We both pushed our bike up a hill but I couldn't jump back on fast enough and he passed me. On the last part he sprinted so I wasn't able to pass and we were right together. I the last corner, I wasted some time and couldn't make the pass. I got second.
I was happy with my race and my attitude. My grandpa came to my race for the first time so that was nice. Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for all of the help with keeping my bike and gear in good shape. Thanks to Julie Young for the training and feedback to keep me competitive for first place throughout the race.
Sierra Cup Race #2 Pinenut Cracker
The first NV Dirt Classic was Sierra Cup #1. I was anxious to race another Sierra Cup Race. It was outside of Reno near Gardnerville. It was an early morning and I didn't eat before the race. I got car sick on the way partly because we had to take the truck and it was very cramped.
When we got there my mood wasn't great. I pre-rode a tiny section and got all worried about the last lap, multi-lap routes. Turns out it was fine and well marked during the race. Before the race, I tried to stay out of the wind but that caused my legs to get cold. I started out feeling like I was carrying 2 sandbags.
A group of four racers left me in the dust so I was alone for the rest of the race. My attitude during the race killed me and the course was hard. I was glad to see the finish line. But when I came around the last sketchy, dippy corner, I saw a kid lying on the ground. I instantly noted that it was my friend Crispin. I follow him on Strava and he's on the Reno-Tahoe team. Adin, another racer, said that he hit the dip and went over his bars. He had a concussion but I'm sure he'll be back soon.
I ended up third but wouldn't have been on the podium if Crispin hadn't crashed. It wasn't a deserved finish.
Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for keeping my bike in perfect running condition and Julie for the extra strength training.
(Typist's note: I didn't get any pictures before or during the race because it was kind of a rotten day. He didn't want the podium picture included)
When we got there my mood wasn't great. I pre-rode a tiny section and got all worried about the last lap, multi-lap routes. Turns out it was fine and well marked during the race. Before the race, I tried to stay out of the wind but that caused my legs to get cold. I started out feeling like I was carrying 2 sandbags.
A group of four racers left me in the dust so I was alone for the rest of the race. My attitude during the race killed me and the course was hard. I was glad to see the finish line. But when I came around the last sketchy, dippy corner, I saw a kid lying on the ground. I instantly noted that it was my friend Crispin. I follow him on Strava and he's on the Reno-Tahoe team. Adin, another racer, said that he hit the dip and went over his bars. He had a concussion but I'm sure he'll be back soon.
I ended up third but wouldn't have been on the podium if Crispin hadn't crashed. It wasn't a deserved finish.
Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for keeping my bike in perfect running condition and Julie for the extra strength training.
(Typist's note: I didn't get any pictures before or during the race because it was kind of a rotten day. He didn't want the podium picture included)
Monday, May 30, 2016
Nevada Dirt Classic #3 2016
The last race. I felt like I had to redeem myself after the second race when I had bonked really bad.So my first step was to eat a lot the night before and have breakfast before we left. Step 2 keep control over my nervousness so I could eat, step 3, well, eat some more.
The pre-ride was awesome! I got to see the really big hill at the start, ascent per lap 574 ft. Also, I got to ride the awesome flowy sections out there, The website said that there was a really rocky section and they were very correct. At first it started with a very loose downhill then it was flat but so loose I couldn't go more than 10 mph through that section. The last mile of the course was mostly up some steep hills so the last of your energy would be used on that hill.
I started on the left side so I got a terrible start. I was going to have the inside line but a kid's back tire forced me over. I was pretty much alone on most of the first lap only passing racers in other classes. Finally on the rocky section, I passed one of the racers in my class because he had a mechanical. That put me in second place. I had a solid first lap and felt good enough to push the second lap. I had a really fun second lap and finished in second place. I was very happy with that result.
I appreciate Roseville Cyclery taking such good care of my bike. Some of the other racers had bike issues but mine worked perfectly. Thanks to Julie for the training and suggestions for pre-race food so I can hopefully avoid another bonk. I felt great this race.
The pre-ride was awesome! I got to see the really big hill at the start, ascent per lap 574 ft. Also, I got to ride the awesome flowy sections out there, The website said that there was a really rocky section and they were very correct. At first it started with a very loose downhill then it was flat but so loose I couldn't go more than 10 mph through that section. The last mile of the course was mostly up some steep hills so the last of your energy would be used on that hill.
I started on the left side so I got a terrible start. I was going to have the inside line but a kid's back tire forced me over. I was pretty much alone on most of the first lap only passing racers in other classes. Finally on the rocky section, I passed one of the racers in my class because he had a mechanical. That put me in second place. I had a solid first lap and felt good enough to push the second lap. I had a really fun second lap and finished in second place. I was very happy with that result.
I appreciate Roseville Cyclery taking such good care of my bike. Some of the other racers had bike issues but mine worked perfectly. Thanks to Julie for the training and suggestions for pre-race food so I can hopefully avoid another bonk. I felt great this race.
Nevada Dirt Classic #2 2016
The race was at the top of the Pioneer Trail. I hadn't eaten anything but a smoothie 2 hours before the race and a Fig Bar 2 minutes before the race. I went out for a pre-ride with Christian Yergler, one of my friends who lives in Cool. I didn't know that we were going to almost miss our start. It was pouring rain when we got there but it stopped before the race. The course was very muddy and I had to change after the pre-ride, which made me almost miss my start.
I had a fantastic start and first lap. Almost 2 miles in Eli, the leader, had a mechanical, so I moved up into 3rd place. Then I bonked. On lap two, I bonked about 9 miles into my 14 mile race. I felt like I had nothing to stand up and sprint with in my legs. Finally, Eli caught me and left me in the dust. I had to walk up two of the hills and the lst 3 miles were miserable. There was a very slippery and rooty downhill followed by a steep uphill. I din't make it up the hill and had to run which made my calves hurt and burn. I got passed one more time and was pushed back to dead last. I was just happy I didn't get a DNF. By the end of the race, I was trembling from cold and hunger. I went straight to the car and ate all of the Fig Bars that were left. Then I changed into pants, yes, pants it was so cold and I hate to wear pants and tried to warm myself up. I was happy to leave that cold place and go to BigA's for a huge burger. I went with Christian so it was very fun.
Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for the bike tune ups. It worked perfectly even in bad conditions. Thanks to Julie for the coaching and talk after about the bonking and suggestions.
I had a fantastic start and first lap. Almost 2 miles in Eli, the leader, had a mechanical, so I moved up into 3rd place. Then I bonked. On lap two, I bonked about 9 miles into my 14 mile race. I felt like I had nothing to stand up and sprint with in my legs. Finally, Eli caught me and left me in the dust. I had to walk up two of the hills and the lst 3 miles were miserable. There was a very slippery and rooty downhill followed by a steep uphill. I din't make it up the hill and had to run which made my calves hurt and burn. I got passed one more time and was pushed back to dead last. I was just happy I didn't get a DNF. By the end of the race, I was trembling from cold and hunger. I went straight to the car and ate all of the Fig Bars that were left. Then I changed into pants, yes, pants it was so cold and I hate to wear pants and tried to warm myself up. I was happy to leave that cold place and go to BigA's for a huge burger. I went with Christian so it was very fun.
Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for the bike tune ups. It worked perfectly even in bad conditions. Thanks to Julie for the coaching and talk after about the bonking and suggestions.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Nevada Dirt Classic #1 2016
This was my first time at Nevada Dirt Classic in Nevada City. We had a little trouble finding the race venue but eventually found it. I pre-rode the course and found it very fun and very difficult. The start was very steep and led to some great downhill that was very tight and had slick mud in fast corners. The uphills were steep and slick and mostly at the end of the course. There were lots of obstacles like log drops, over tires (optional), riding over a car (optional but I did it once) and jumps.
My class (Cat 3 15-19) started 2 minutes early and went with the rest of the Cat 3. I don't think I was warmed up enough at the start because I wasn't as fast as I should have been up the first hill. It was very hard to pass on the course because of all of the single track. One kid kept buzzing my tire half way around the first lap, then passed me. Then when I tried to pass him back he would sprint or push his bike up the trail blocking any pass. It was frustrating.
I was happy that I did two laps and got 3rd. I'm excited about racing the whole series.
Photo credit Robert Lowe
Photo Credit Robert Lowe
My class (Cat 3 15-19) started 2 minutes early and went with the rest of the Cat 3. I don't think I was warmed up enough at the start because I wasn't as fast as I should have been up the first hill. It was very hard to pass on the course because of all of the single track. One kid kept buzzing my tire half way around the first lap, then passed me. Then when I tried to pass him back he would sprint or push his bike up the trail blocking any pass. It was frustrating.
I was happy that I did two laps and got 3rd. I'm excited about racing the whole series.
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