Amazing how accurate those hourly weather.com charts can be. Here's a more personal take though. Leave from Jersey shore - overcast but dry, get to Blue and pay reg - darkening skies, clip in to warm up - drizzle, race start - rain. Funny. Was still glad I went though. Great to see old friends from last season.
1st lap was actually good with still mostly dry conditions. Actually thought the course was great with some tough stuff but not too. Held a solid middle of the field position, holding off my old friend Dan, passing a guy and reeling in another before all hell broke loose for me.
Still feeling good going into 2nd lap. Rain picked up and rocks started greasing up. Got up Ned's OK 2nd time but then, as I got into single track, charley horse from hell. In the past had been able to spin out but no fire road recovery and conditions getting worse meant no place to recover. Soon got to a point any pedaling effort made my right calf and foot cramp right away. By the time I finished 2nd lap I opted out of 3rd. 1st cat 1 and 1st DNF. I think CAT 1 or 2 the same thing would have happened to me, for whatever reason. Still had gas, just couldn't work through the cramp. Will try again.