Juan Aracena
Member
Before responding please write your Cat and age group. Lets see what everyone thought of the race.
How did your race go at Ringwood?
- Thread starter Juan Aracena
- Start date
Cat 2 30-34, 1st place
My day went perfect, well almost. One black spot on an otherwise awesome day was the fact that James Fox, my closest competitor in the point chase, showed up very ill. I was stressing all week about the fact that if he beat me (which he has) by more than 3 places, the championship would be his intead. So combined with the stress of closing on my house and moving in, this was on my mind all week. So James showed up very ill, but lined up anyway. With all of the long fire roads at this race i was very concered about being able to beat him since he is crazy fast on the fire roads. I did my usual and started in the back. James blasted off in first and burned up the start. I was a bit concered because he was pretty far away for most of the stright. However the pack started tightening up and when we made the turn on the hill James had faded back to 4th or 5th. I knew he was not having good day. So I pressed on and made it up to around 5th by the time we got to the first downhill fireroad. Despite putting the bike in 2-9 and blasting down it as top speed, Hazzy blew past me like I was walking! FLYING! We hit the bottom and I saw that I was in 5th as we began the climb towards blueberry. Passed one guy along the way and then kinda got into a rythm for a while behind Hazzy. Eventually we caught up to Mike who was hammering out there today. We passed mike and it was then Me, Hazzy and Luis in various order as we were passing each other back and forth. On the fireroads near the switchbacks we passed James. He was off the bike and had come around to cheer us on, his day was over. I was bummed about that. Not the way I wanted to beat him. So after I saw James, I knew that all I needed to do was finish the race. Weight was lifted, but it was still a bit bittersweet. I got my head back in the race as hazzy and luis were still right in front of me. I could have just pulled up and took it easy for the rest of the race but that would be lame. We kept battling to the switchbacks where I was able to get past hazzy. Then I caught up to Luis and figured I would try to conserve my energy as long as I could. We stuck together though lap one. I informed luis that i would not be giving him any victory and that he would have to beat me stright up. He did not make it easy. I opened it up at the first hill on lap two and he pushed right back. Took me until the poison ivy to finally make a pass on him and have it stick. As me and luis were battling we were caught by Bill Rollamino(sp?) who I hooked up with for the rest of the race. Bill burning me up on the uphill and me closing the gap back again on the downhills. Stayed close to bill for the rest of the race. Kirt was flying though the last section and passed me right after the bridge. I didnt know if he was in Bill's class to I got the hell out of the way. My time was 1:32.
So thats it, FINALLY done with racing this year. Well serious racing anyway. I have pushed myself this year far beyond what I ever thought I was capable of. It was amazingly fun, and at times pretty stressfull. After getting 4th in two sport races last year my goal was to step it up over the winter and really try to win a race this year. Im happy that I exceeded my goal and a few others. At Waywayanda Kamani Neilssen killed me by 5 minutes, beating him at Lewis Morris was a real high point of my year. When James crushed everyone at Tymor, then again at Stewarts I was doubtfull that I would ever be able to catch him. While we never once saw each other during any of the 8 races this year, we had a great points battle right to the end. I have no idea how he rides as fast as he does on his 26" rigid, 15+ year old bike, but he gets it done! AWESOME battle this year James!
Mike, Luis, Dan, Lucky, Hazzy all kicked ass this year! Made for a really fun year and some great battles!
As I was leaving today I was thinking how it could very well be the last race I ever win with my plans on moving to Cat 1 next year. I have no idea how it will go next year when I have to line up with the likes of Norm, Jim, Ryan, etc....but im glad to at least have this one season to always look back on.
Great seeing everyone today and I hope to see you all at the picnic.
Thanks to the guys at blackbear!
My day went perfect, well almost. One black spot on an otherwise awesome day was the fact that James Fox, my closest competitor in the point chase, showed up very ill. I was stressing all week about the fact that if he beat me (which he has) by more than 3 places, the championship would be his intead. So combined with the stress of closing on my house and moving in, this was on my mind all week. So James showed up very ill, but lined up anyway. With all of the long fire roads at this race i was very concered about being able to beat him since he is crazy fast on the fire roads. I did my usual and started in the back. James blasted off in first and burned up the start. I was a bit concered because he was pretty far away for most of the stright. However the pack started tightening up and when we made the turn on the hill James had faded back to 4th or 5th. I knew he was not having good day. So I pressed on and made it up to around 5th by the time we got to the first downhill fireroad. Despite putting the bike in 2-9 and blasting down it as top speed, Hazzy blew past me like I was walking! FLYING! We hit the bottom and I saw that I was in 5th as we began the climb towards blueberry. Passed one guy along the way and then kinda got into a rythm for a while behind Hazzy. Eventually we caught up to Mike who was hammering out there today. We passed mike and it was then Me, Hazzy and Luis in various order as we were passing each other back and forth. On the fireroads near the switchbacks we passed James. He was off the bike and had come around to cheer us on, his day was over. I was bummed about that. Not the way I wanted to beat him. So after I saw James, I knew that all I needed to do was finish the race. Weight was lifted, but it was still a bit bittersweet. I got my head back in the race as hazzy and luis were still right in front of me. I could have just pulled up and took it easy for the rest of the race but that would be lame. We kept battling to the switchbacks where I was able to get past hazzy. Then I caught up to Luis and figured I would try to conserve my energy as long as I could. We stuck together though lap one. I informed luis that i would not be giving him any victory and that he would have to beat me stright up. He did not make it easy. I opened it up at the first hill on lap two and he pushed right back. Took me until the poison ivy to finally make a pass on him and have it stick. As me and luis were battling we were caught by Bill Rollamino(sp?) who I hooked up with for the rest of the race. Bill burning me up on the uphill and me closing the gap back again on the downhills. Stayed close to bill for the rest of the race. Kirt was flying though the last section and passed me right after the bridge. I didnt know if he was in Bill's class to I got the hell out of the way. My time was 1:32.
So thats it, FINALLY done with racing this year. Well serious racing anyway. I have pushed myself this year far beyond what I ever thought I was capable of. It was amazingly fun, and at times pretty stressfull. After getting 4th in two sport races last year my goal was to step it up over the winter and really try to win a race this year. Im happy that I exceeded my goal and a few others. At Waywayanda Kamani Neilssen killed me by 5 minutes, beating him at Lewis Morris was a real high point of my year. When James crushed everyone at Tymor, then again at Stewarts I was doubtfull that I would ever be able to catch him. While we never once saw each other during any of the 8 races this year, we had a great points battle right to the end. I have no idea how he rides as fast as he does on his 26" rigid, 15+ year old bike, but he gets it done! AWESOME battle this year James!
Mike, Luis, Dan, Lucky, Hazzy all kicked ass this year! Made for a really fun year and some great battles!
As I was leaving today I was thinking how it could very well be the last race I ever win with my plans on moving to Cat 1 next year. I have no idea how it will go next year when I have to line up with the likes of Norm, Jim, Ryan, etc....but im glad to at least have this one season to always look back on.
Great seeing everyone today and I hope to see you all at the picnic.
Thanks to the guys at blackbear!
southernerinnj
New Member
Quick Synopsis of my race. Today went pretty well for me. My legs felt good so I decided to work them today. I changed my usual strategy today from hang back and wait to hammer a gap out front and try to hold on. Well I hammered right out of the gate and pushed hard all the way through the 1st climb. I was amazed that my gap remained for so long. Soon enough though a few caught up and passed me. At one point I was hanging out 10th of 16 and really feeling pretty low. I just decided to grin and bear the punishment. I ended up taking back 4 spots back and getting to ride with Dustin for awhile I had 2 more within sight until I biffed it bad on one spot and that pretty much spelled the end of my day I continued to push as to lose anymore spots and just finish well. I am definitely happy with my finish going into this whole season I never really had any thoughts at doing all that well. With 6 months on the bike seriously I've ended up racing 7 of the races this year and had a great time. Next year I'll have to scope out the competition down south.
Luke don't let em get you down sounds like they were just upset because they were having a bad day! Joe glad you had an awesome day. Congrats to everyone that had great seasons! I'm uploading the pictures that Emma took from Cat 3 and the few I got from Cat 2 Lap 1 they'll be up soon.
Luke don't let em get you down sounds like they were just upset because they were having a bad day! Joe glad you had an awesome day. Congrats to everyone that had great seasons! I'm uploading the pictures that Emma took from Cat 3 and the few I got from Cat 2 Lap 1 they'll be up soon.
VanDbtRiver
Well-Known Member
Good words Utah... also, couldn't have asked for a better day to showcase the sport we all love. I had zero probs with spectators, photographers, or competitors, without those folks I would be there alone... and it wouldn't be a race. Don't sweat it Luke, we all look forward to seeing the fruits of your labor. There will always be critics.
RonzNd4Spd
Member
Cat 3 - 50+ 3rd. place
first congrats to utah joe for a great finish and great write up...
i felt like i was riding with you as i read your write up...good stuff,
now mine... the race was really alot of fun today, especially the really fast down hill fire roads i was in a group of about 10-12 riders and it felt as if i was in a nascar race at talladaga...super fast riding on instinct all lines worked good..you could go down low or up top to make a pass...
all went preaty good for me untill the last down desent as i felt a sharp pain in my wrist and as i looked down i saw a bee stinging me and in that section i KNEW if i took my hand off the handelbar i would have crashed...sooooo sting away it did...ouch!
then going back to the lot i got stung again on my calf...the guy at the first aid station said i was the fourth person to get stung!
so i took 3rd. in my race and 4th. in the bee sting event! 🙂
first congrats to utah joe for a great finish and great write up...
i felt like i was riding with you as i read your write up...good stuff,
now mine... the race was really alot of fun today, especially the really fast down hill fire roads i was in a group of about 10-12 riders and it felt as if i was in a nascar race at talladaga...super fast riding on instinct all lines worked good..you could go down low or up top to make a pass...
all went preaty good for me untill the last down desent as i felt a sharp pain in my wrist and as i looked down i saw a bee stinging me and in that section i KNEW if i took my hand off the handelbar i would have crashed...sooooo sting away it did...ouch!
then going back to the lot i got stung again on my calf...the guy at the first aid station said i was the fourth person to get stung!
so i took 3rd. in my race and 4th. in the bee sting event! 🙂
Alpha Wolf
New Member
My Day
I finally had a good start and then proceeded to fatigue quickly, have to work on that this winter. there were ay least two bees nest on the course, maybe only Four people went to the first aid station but many many more were stung. I know I got it twice. Made me tougher, haha.
I finally had a good start and then proceeded to fatigue quickly, have to work on that this winter. there were ay least two bees nest on the course, maybe only Four people went to the first aid station but many many more were stung. I know I got it twice. Made me tougher, haha.
Cat 2 / 30 - 34 / 4th place
My race started and right away I was regretting having rode 4 days in a row leading up to the race. (with cold, crappy weather around corner I need to get in every ride I can 😀)
My legs were burning up on the fire roads. It took a long time till I finally loosened up and felt like I could push as hard as I wanted to. I wanted to keep up with the leaders and I did for the first half lap, but I felt cramps coming on so I had to cool it off for a few minutes. Once I regained composure and relaxed a little I felt like I could control my breathing and HR and push when necessary. I was enjoying my Turner with the 29 inches and full suspension on the long downhills. Not that I blew by anybody, but being able to glide over rocks others were avoiding, I could make a few passes while keeping my HR down... That was very helpful.
Cruising by the little bridge at the end of the first lap and hearing people cheer me on really got me going. I crossed the start / finish feeling inspired. So thanks to everybody out there. That's the kind of thing that makes me smile...🙂
(on a side note, did anybody avoid the bridge and get boo'd?😀😀)
On the second lap I was feeling good. Not being in traffic i took advantage of taking the best line and just rode over everything with very little effort.
Walking up that first techy climbs made my legs hurt. I decided I would stay on the bike and ride the rest. Ill give the other riders credit, as they were walking up the rocks I said "On your left" or "on your right" and they moved over...looking at me as they realized it really wasnt that bad to ride... I picked up 2 or 3 spots like this. That rear suspension and the pythons with about 27 psi in em hooked up great on the slabs of rocks that were the switchbacks.
I was stuck behind some slower riders as I neared the finish. It didn't matter, I don't think i would have caught the leaders anyway. I'm glad I didn't try and make a stupid pass at the end out of desperation. I thought about it, but decided against it. I came out to the fire road with my best finish in Cat 2 with a 4ourth. I would have liked to podium, but that will have to wait till next year.
So my first race season is over and I'm going to take a line from Norm's blog and try to do as many social rides as possible with as many different people as possible. Just go back to riding and having fun. (I got lights People!!)
Congrats to Van Dbt River and Utah Joe with their finishes.
Next year, I wont be a rookie and I'm gunning for that Cat 2 30-34 overall.:getsome::getsome:
My race started and right away I was regretting having rode 4 days in a row leading up to the race. (with cold, crappy weather around corner I need to get in every ride I can 😀)
My legs were burning up on the fire roads. It took a long time till I finally loosened up and felt like I could push as hard as I wanted to. I wanted to keep up with the leaders and I did for the first half lap, but I felt cramps coming on so I had to cool it off for a few minutes. Once I regained composure and relaxed a little I felt like I could control my breathing and HR and push when necessary. I was enjoying my Turner with the 29 inches and full suspension on the long downhills. Not that I blew by anybody, but being able to glide over rocks others were avoiding, I could make a few passes while keeping my HR down... That was very helpful.
Cruising by the little bridge at the end of the first lap and hearing people cheer me on really got me going. I crossed the start / finish feeling inspired. So thanks to everybody out there. That's the kind of thing that makes me smile...🙂
(on a side note, did anybody avoid the bridge and get boo'd?😀😀)
On the second lap I was feeling good. Not being in traffic i took advantage of taking the best line and just rode over everything with very little effort.
Walking up that first techy climbs made my legs hurt. I decided I would stay on the bike and ride the rest. Ill give the other riders credit, as they were walking up the rocks I said "On your left" or "on your right" and they moved over...looking at me as they realized it really wasnt that bad to ride... I picked up 2 or 3 spots like this. That rear suspension and the pythons with about 27 psi in em hooked up great on the slabs of rocks that were the switchbacks.
I was stuck behind some slower riders as I neared the finish. It didn't matter, I don't think i would have caught the leaders anyway. I'm glad I didn't try and make a stupid pass at the end out of desperation. I thought about it, but decided against it. I came out to the fire road with my best finish in Cat 2 with a 4ourth. I would have liked to podium, but that will have to wait till next year.
So my first race season is over and I'm going to take a line from Norm's blog and try to do as many social rides as possible with as many different people as possible. Just go back to riding and having fun. (I got lights People!!)
Congrats to Van Dbt River and Utah Joe with their finishes.
Next year, I wont be a rookie and I'm gunning for that Cat 2 30-34 overall.:getsome::getsome:
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Dusty the Whale
Mr.Chainsaw
raced my last cat3 race.....ever
The whole race season was great. I met a lot of real cool people and got the chance to ride trails I've never been. Race today went the way I thought it would, the skinny hippy pulled away and from then on it was about holding my spot. I was able to hold second place from the first turn on the fire road all the way till the finish...held off a dude from the bridge up until the finish, beat him by 2seconds that was exciting. Going over that bridge I heard all the cheering but the only voice I was able to hear was Brandon's daughter saying "go dustin"...that was a big help for the push to the finish
Next year cat2 SS 30-3? (4-5)
After doing some math from what I understand I am the cat3 30-39 champion, just waiting for it to be official.
A huge Thank you goes to all the photographers/even organizers/everyone that made this a very enjoyable experience...thank you
The whole race season was great. I met a lot of real cool people and got the chance to ride trails I've never been. Race today went the way I thought it would, the skinny hippy pulled away and from then on it was about holding my spot. I was able to hold second place from the first turn on the fire road all the way till the finish...held off a dude from the bridge up until the finish, beat him by 2seconds that was exciting. Going over that bridge I heard all the cheering but the only voice I was able to hear was Brandon's daughter saying "go dustin"...that was a big help for the push to the finish
Next year cat2 SS 30-3? (4-5)
After doing some math from what I understand I am the cat3 30-39 champion, just waiting for it to be official.
A huge Thank you goes to all the photographers/even organizers/everyone that made this a very enjoyable experience...thank you
warcricket
Like a Jerk
cat2 ss is an open class
james
New Member
let's get this back on track.
well I could have stayed in bed today for all the good lining up at the start did me but I would have missed the most amazing thing I've seen in a while:
driving home while on I87 I watched a 4 point buck play the ultimate round of frogger and clear SEVEN lanes and a jersey barrier in rush-hour dense fast moving traffic.
I had fun cheering the rest of you on though, and in the gap between laps I rode the switchback and nearly cleaned the whole section. Nice singletrack at the end.
I will add that the race season is NOT over.
reidelbauers
darkness at 909
cathedral pines
Sure you may have to drive a little farther for them but they are out there.
james
I am not a roadie, I just play one on tv.
well I could have stayed in bed today for all the good lining up at the start did me but I would have missed the most amazing thing I've seen in a while:
driving home while on I87 I watched a 4 point buck play the ultimate round of frogger and clear SEVEN lanes and a jersey barrier in rush-hour dense fast moving traffic.
I had fun cheering the rest of you on though, and in the gap between laps I rode the switchback and nearly cleaned the whole section. Nice singletrack at the end.
I will add that the race season is NOT over.
reidelbauers
darkness at 909
cathedral pines
Sure you may have to drive a little farther for them but they are out there.
james
I am not a roadie, I just play one on tv.
James, I applaud your effort. I saw you hacking up a lung on the side of the trail. Impressive. Maybe Ill see you in one of those other races.
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wlee
Active Member
Cat 3 40-49
Well I must say that after pre- riding the course on friday I was very concerned with the mile long start and being able to hold back enough but still be in touch with the front of the pack and not burn up.We took off and a couple of guys were flying and I was saying this is not good but about halfway down I was feeling very good so I stepped it up and made the first turn in about 5 th or 6 th place so things were going as planned but I soon found myself downshifting one to many times because my legs were just not there and of course I said to my self "you idiot" now what. I got passed by about 3 or 4 guys and just hung behind them and recovered very quickly and soon passed all but one of them until I fell going up a techy section and I was only doing maybe 5 mph. The guy behind me said "hey Willy its a long race" and it made me get a bit more focused. I bombed the long fire road in my 2-9 gear and never stopped pedaling,passed some riders and made the right buy the 2 lakes, I hit the switch backs and started to get into a good groove and just flew in that hole section. When I heard cheering I knew I was getting close to the bridge and I had to take it because my 9 year old son would never let me forget if I went around it so I just ripped and when I made the left just before the bridge I lost my front tire and almost lost it, but thanks to my Nevegal she got a grip and all I heard was "go daddy go" never seeing anyone there and finished. I was told that I finished in 4 th but there was a scoring error and I actually finished In 3 rd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first podium. I just want to say thanks to some guys in my class,you know who you are, we had some very good ,clean racing all year and thanks to My riding partner Fred " The Maestro" for showing me the ropes in Mountain Biking and getting up every sunday to ride. Great year!
Willy
Well I must say that after pre- riding the course on friday I was very concerned with the mile long start and being able to hold back enough but still be in touch with the front of the pack and not burn up.We took off and a couple of guys were flying and I was saying this is not good but about halfway down I was feeling very good so I stepped it up and made the first turn in about 5 th or 6 th place so things were going as planned but I soon found myself downshifting one to many times because my legs were just not there and of course I said to my self "you idiot" now what. I got passed by about 3 or 4 guys and just hung behind them and recovered very quickly and soon passed all but one of them until I fell going up a techy section and I was only doing maybe 5 mph. The guy behind me said "hey Willy its a long race" and it made me get a bit more focused. I bombed the long fire road in my 2-9 gear and never stopped pedaling,passed some riders and made the right buy the 2 lakes, I hit the switch backs and started to get into a good groove and just flew in that hole section. When I heard cheering I knew I was getting close to the bridge and I had to take it because my 9 year old son would never let me forget if I went around it so I just ripped and when I made the left just before the bridge I lost my front tire and almost lost it, but thanks to my Nevegal she got a grip and all I heard was "go daddy go" never seeing anyone there and finished. I was told that I finished in 4 th but there was a scoring error and I actually finished In 3 rd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first podium. I just want to say thanks to some guys in my class,you know who you are, we had some very good ,clean racing all year and thanks to My riding partner Fred " The Maestro" for showing me the ropes in Mountain Biking and getting up every sunday to ride. Great year!
Willy
And Lushizzle! Good job guys!
ellenserruto
New Member
Great race for me. . I felt strong and enjoyed the race. Although the course was heavy on fireroads, it tested us in different ways. Can't believe its over sniff-sniff.