My recap is pretty straightforward. I agree I’m glad they stuck with the original course. The 6 of us fatties took off and I didn’t want to lead out the group so I hung back. That was good cause it took a while for me to warm up. I was hanging in second or third on the fire road struggling to see through the mud spray. I waited til the top of the first rise before the long downhill and punched it over the top to get the lead. I knew if I could rip that first descent and climb well on the next big climb the race was over. I went flat out down that first descent and let the fatty go. I was hoping to ride it well and keep my tires intact. It worked and gave me confidence that the rocks were trippy and not super slick.
Next was going through the sand and into the big climb. I didn’t go super hard but I gave it a steady effort and kept on the gas. I know Ara in second is strong and rises rocks well, but I needed to outclimb him and get to that rocky descent first. I guess I climbed well since I never saw him again. I kept looking back for a sign of any of my group behind but nothing. So I starting singing to myself and enjoying the ride. The rest of the lap was uneventful but fun. Rip the rocks and drift the corners.
I finished in first in 1:18, 10 mins ahead of second - which I found out later had no or very limited rear brake usage. I was wondering how I would feel getting off a plane from Mexico on Tuesday and a few short rides before the race but I felt good and definitely had more in the tank. I’m looking forward to Mooch next week. I still need to drop 20 pounds but I’m not rushing it. I’ll keep chipping away and hopefully later in the season I’ll be lighter and more fit.
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