Quick recap of bubble. I didn't think I was going to be able to make it. This weekend I was staying in the Poconos, at some VRBO with my wife, kids, and her friends and their kids. We basically drank while the kids were downstairs unsupervised OD'ing on Halloween candy. Friday night wasn't exactly a good lead in for a race.
I did convince my wife that west Milford is really close to the Poconos, which it isn't.
Anyway, I rolled up just as the 1-2-3's went off. So I reg'd, chatted with the remaining MTBNJ crew and
@mbruno who flatted 5 minutes into his race. It seemed like there was a fair amount of carnage just looking at the activity in the pits. Lots of exchanges, repairs, and people looking generally dejected. There wasn't mud like hippo or hpcx, but there were some spots that you had to run because they were shin deep of muck. The conditions were taking their tolls.
So, I line up, 3rd row (my stock is falling,). They line us up with collegiate C's (not sure there was any) and the 40 masters. Not staggered, just all in one group which I'm fine with.
Off we go. I have a decent start, and end up in the top 10 by the time we get to the grass. My lack of a warm up and poor prep altogether has my top end seriously lacking. Any max effort has my hr pinned and my lungs burning. Races are lost by not being aggressive on the first lap so I did my best to put out a few big efforts and start making up spots. It worked a little but I still saw the leader riding away. I didn't have aspirations of winning, but I did win last year so I hoped to have a decent race even if I'm not in the same shape.
I think I was running 5th ish and the 2nd and 3rd laps were spent leading a pack of 7. We weren't right in a pack but we were close enough that I knew that a mistake would cost me spots.
As the race progressed I exchanged a few spots and lost one but I think I'm in 3rd. I also think I'm finding my legs. I know where I can make up time, and I'm riding a fairly smooth no-mistake race.
All I have to do is maintain and I should end up with a top 5 and maybe a podium.
I'm not exactly sure where I was and that kept me putting out an honest effort.
After I go through the finish line going into the last lap, the pack behind has thinned, but still some stragglers. I do my things on the run ups and as I remount my chain drops.
Smart thing to do would be the pull the SRAM der out, push the button to lock it open, put the chain on, and be on my way. Instead I got greedy and tried to put the chain on without locking the derailleur and messed up. Twice. It was caked in mud and my hands were slipping. Finally I did what I should have done and locked it out. Got the chain on and was out.
I watched 4 or 5 guys go past while I was on the side.
The rest of the lap was non eventful and I pulled through in 7th. Not terrible, but could have been much better.
Live and learn. And order a chain keeper.
Thanks for reading. Peace out.