Given I'm relatively new to the forum and this is my first race report, I'll provide some background info prior to jumping into the details of yesterday's H2H race.
I'm a long time biker and endurance athlete (triathlons, marathons, ultra running) but relatively new to the shorter/faster stuff. Last year was my first foray into sprint/xc/cross distance events, racing 6 cross races in the 4/5 categories. I had some good success thanks to
@Delish 's guidance and hand-me-down equipment.
I took two months off the bike around the holidays to quiet a nagging injury but have put in a solid 2.5 months of training since. I plan to race the entire H2H series and put in a full cross season come fall.
I raced XC Cat 1/2 and finished 13/16 (but we won't mentioned the single-speeder I passed or guy with the flat tire).
This was my first H2H race and first time riding in the Ringwood area. I raced the 1/2 category so I could chase the fast guys as well as race the longer distance. It's a big wake-up call to race Cat 1/2 vs "C" cross races. Wow, they're fast!
After the start, I was close to the front on the fire road and double track until we hit a steep climb. I did't have the top end power (or mental fortitude) to stay with the leaders. I drifted back and connected with another group but slowly lost those wheels as well. Not long after, I was passed by the front of the Cat 1/2 45+ group. I settled into my own pace and did my best to keep riding hard and clean the technical single track. A few miscues slowed my momentum and a few more Cat 1/2 45+ riders passed me.
Hitting the second lap I paired up with another rider (assuming Cat 1/2 45+ rider) and we traded positions on and off until he finally pulled away as we entered the second half of the lap. Luckily he and a stud single speeder racing Cat 1/2 stayed within sight providing some much needed motivation to continue pushing hard. Second time through single track was much easier despite missing a few lines due to fatigue.
Finished alone in 13th which is disappointing but I had still had fun. Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for a fun, well run race.
Looking forward to Mooch this weekend.