Jungle Recap

[Panhead]

What was up with those acorns? Holy crap I was gettin pelted up on top.

Also, big thanks to the whole Town Cycle crew. I love the fact that they really changed up the course. It was faster than I expected and really challenging. Special thanks to the scoring crew who QUICKLY fixed a minor numbering problem with the CAT1 SS pre-reg racers. They totally stepped up and took care of it without missing a beat.

I started thinking someone was hiding in the woods throwing them.

Town Cycle once again put on a killer race, great food. Best part was the course, IMO a real MTB race course.

 

[MMuller]

It was monkeys that escaped all those years ago that were throwing the acorns. If you listened closely enough you could hear them laughing from high up in the trees.

 

[MtnRider]

Cat 3 40-49 3rd place + NJ State Champ

After pre-riding sat. morning I felt real good going into the race the only part I did not care for was the start or everything before warthog, I figured the fast guys would be gone so I knew I had to hammer down at the start if I had any chance of doing well, if I blew up so be it. We take off and my goal is to stay on Dave`s wheel (Mtnrider) but I can`t hang, best I can do is 4 th wheel and he is second wheel. Me and him have some very memorable moments racing and today I want to add another.We come out into the short paved section before warthog and I feel great to my amazement and can tell he is hurting a bit and I make the pass and now I`m third wheel, uncharted waters for me , I start ripping through warthog and top dog in my class who is second wheel is holding me up :hmmm: so either I`m on today or he`s not but he will not let me pass, I must of asked him 10 times. When we come out of warthog and get to that short steep climb its got a slow rider walking up so top dog gets off, so here we go first dismount and I run up and top dog is still walking into the entrance of otter slide climb and Dave is on my wheel so I yell at him to get on or get out of the way cause i`m coming and first place who is Segundo is pulling away.And when Segundo ( Pampa) goes he is GONE. He finally lets me go and I start ripping up otter slide but Dave is still close and near the top of the fence line climb he says on your right Willy and I cant believe it all that work for nothing and he passes me with percy now on my wheel. First thing I think of is what Steve 336 said to me , make a pass and make it stick., so much for that .I start going down that hairy section and I could see he( Dave ) is a little cautious so I put it in the big ring and pedal down and pass Dave on the left and start getting to my favorite part the trees.Steve336 will be proud of me now 🙂 I get through the first section with no problem and when we get to the rocky section where there is nothing but rocks I go over the bars. Not good bike lands on the derailler side but get up take off and no damage. At this point I realize that i`m still in second and podium is mine and no sooner that I think that I clip 2 trees but save it by grabbing them and remember reading Pixie`s post about only riding it at 85 % and back it down a notch or I`m going to screw up my first podium. As I get to the last paved section............Here comes Dave hauling so there go that thought and go back to 100 % into animal chute which felt like it took forever to get up and everytime I make a turn good ole Dave is 2 switchbacks behind and coming but today its my turn and keep grinding up and out and when I get to the tree which I always go over I turn around and see no one behind me and decide to be a WUSS and walk over it cause with my luck I`ll probably crash and break a coller bone or something and blow my first podium so its wuss time, get over it and stand and pedal the rest of the way to the finish! My first podium!!!!!!!!!!!! Second Place.
I would like to say Congratulations to Segundo ( Pampa) on his second victory And also congratulations to Dave Schwartz ( Mtnrider) on his third place and for pushing me like he did, we had some great races together and today did not disappoint.
Also thanks to Town Cycle for putting together a great race.Next up Ringwood then its up to Cat 2 were I`m sure I`ll be very humbled.
___________
Willy

What a great race! First off my congrats to Willy making the podium.

Spoke to Willy prior to start and told him I'm going full tilt at the start and he promises to be on my wheel. Started the race at the line and saw Segundo (Pampa) take the lead so I pushed to stay with him and I'm in 2nd. Didn't have enough of a warm up and I'm starting to suck wind and had to let Willy pass. Took a few deep breaths and charged. Just before the Berms "Top Dog" tries to take me on the left - I sprint into the berm and hold him off - clocking over 20mph but he catches me at start of Warthog - so now 4th.

I keep up the pace through Warthog and sprint the road up to the steep hill prior to the Otter Slide climb - Top Dog bobbles and Willy gets checked - I stay on the bike and able to ride up the steep hill but can't pass. This continues into the start of Otter Slide and finally Willy gets by but I'm behind Topdog, but I catch him and pass on the uphill left hand turn and charge to try and catch Willy Which I do on the fire road up to Fenceline and I pass him - now 2nd again but I get to the top and I'm bouncing in the rocks with the high grass so I take it down a notch to keep from crashing and Willy gets by again. :cry:

Get through fish and into the rocky section of Orange which I like to call "Moon" as there doesn't appear to be any dirt there. I pass a bunch of cat 3 30-39 guys and then I'm behind a guy who bobbled and is walking a section - I yell out "rider up" but instead of moving over he starts to run with the bike and then 15 seconds later bobbles again and starts to walk with the bike. Here's where the Sharpie on the calf pays off (Thanks Rob) - as I scream for the guy to get out of my way because I'm not in his class. This does the trick and he moves over so I start reeling in Willy again but at the same time I start to see Percy about 100-150 feet behind trying to catch me and the combination of the two gets me pushing harder.

Perhaps too hard as I come out of that section and sprint up the road and make the right into the old section (downhill with the logs running across over your head). I turn too hard at the first bend and go sprawling into a pricker bush. I hit the ground get the handlebars pointing downhill and take off with the pricker bush still attached but I'm saying to myself - no way I'm giving up a podium spot this far into the race.

Sprint up the road again knowing Percy isn't to far behind and enter lower Chute - continue onto upper part of Animal Chute and I'm starting to feel it. Pass a few more 30-39 guys to make some space between myself and Percy but he's still coming. Out of Animal Chute someone yells out quarter mile and I am sprinting again - lift and roll over the big log and finish with 3rd place secure...31 seconds behind Willy and about 20 seconds ahead of Percy - nice race guys!

I also won the NJ State Champ (and a NICE beer mug) on a technicality as I had bought the US Cycling license as I got tired of having to scrounge around for $5 at race registration.

Now onward to Cat 2 to join Robson and Steve...:getsome:

Hats off to Town Cycle for taking the initiative of designing a unique course for the race.

 

[MrBill]

Thanks Segundo it sure was fun out there today.You are now Top Dog in our class and you have earned it.
______________
willy

Congrats to Segundo,Willy and Dave for hitting the podium. I'm looking forward to taking your place on the podium next year since you will all be moving up to cat 2. Hopefully It will be Me, Mike, and Fred battling for the lead. You guys have a great forum here. I'll see you at Ringwood. Later Bill

 

[Pampa]

What a great race! First off my congrats to Willy making the podium.

Spoke to Willy prior to start and told him I'm going full tilt at the start and he promises to be on my wheel. Started the race at the line and saw Segundo (Pampa) take the lead so I pushed to stay with him and I'm in 2nd. Didn't have enough of a warm up and I'm starting to suck wind and had to let Willy pass. Took a few deep breaths and charged. Just before the Berms "Top Dog" tries to take me on the left - I sprint into the berm and hold him off - clocking over 20mph but he catches me at start of Warthog - so now 4th.

I keep up the pace through Warthog and sprint the road up to the steep hill prior to the Otter Slide climb - Top Dog bobbles and Willy gets checked - I stay on the bike and able to ride up the steep hill but can't pass. This continues into the start of Otter Slide and finally Willy gets by but I'm behind Topdog, but I catch him and pass on the uphill left hand turn and charge to try and catch Willy Which I do on the fire road up to Fenceline and I pass him - now 2nd again but I get to the top and I'm bouncing in the rocks with the high grass so I take it down a notch to keep from crashing and Willy gets by again. :cry:

Get through fish and into the rocky section of Orange which I like to call "Moon" as there doesn't appear to be any dirt there. I pass a bunch of cat 3 30-39 guys and then I'm behind a guy who bobbled and is walking a section - I yell out "rider up" but instead of moving over he starts to run with the bike and then 15 seconds later bobbles again and starts to walk with the bike. Here's where the Sharpie on the calf pays off (Thanks Rob) - as I scream for the guy to get out of my way because I'm not in his class. This does the trick and he moves over so I start reeling in Willy again but at the same time I start to see Percy about 100-150 feet behind trying to catch me and the combination of the two gets me pushing harder.

Perhaps too hard as I come out of that section and sprint up the road and make the right into the old section (downhill with the logs running across over your head). I turn too hard at the first bend and go sprawling into a pricker bush. I hit the ground get the handlebars pointing downhill and take off with the pricker bush still attached but I'm saying to myself - no way I'm giving up a podium spot this far into the race.

Sprint up the road again knowing Percy isn't to far behind and enter lower Chute - continue onto upper part of Animal Chute and I'm starting to feel it. Pass a few more 30-39 guys to make some space between myself and Percy but he's still coming. Out of Animal Chute someone yells out quarter mile and I am sprinting again - lift and roll over the big log and finish with 3rd place secure...31 seconds behind Willy and about 20 seconds ahead of Percy - nice race guys!

I also won the NJ State Champ (and a NICE beer mug) on a technicality as I had bought the US Cycling license as I got tired of having to scrounge around for $5 at race registration.

Now onward to Cat 2 to join Robson and Steve...:getsome:

Hats off to Town Cycle for taking the initiative of designing a unique course for the race.

Congratulations Steve! I couldn't take my eyes out of the course for a second but I could feel the hustle right behind me at the beginning.
Seeing how excited you and Willy were about this course I knew I better keep hammering until the end.

Man, do I regret not having bought the annual license😡

 

[Pampa]

Congrats to Segundo,Willy and Dave for hitting the podium. I'm looking forward to taking your place on the podium next year since you will all be moving up to cat 2. Hopefully It will be Me, Mike, and Fred battling for the lead. You guys have a great forum here. I'll see you at Ringwood. Later Bill

Thank you Bill. Hope you plans for the podium next year come true, AND DON'T FORGET TO BUY THE ANNUAL LICENSE, you never know...

 

[MrBill]

Thank you Bill. Hope you plans for the podium next year come true, AND DON'T FORGET TO BUY THE ANNUAL LICENSE, you never know...

I have an annual license and they called my name then realized I was from NY and that was that. ...........B

 

[mattybfat]

Cat 2 SS

Being the non-racer that I am, I decided to race this race after a few laps this past week. I knew that going in it was just to have fun and that's exactly what it was. Great race put on by Town Cycle and perfect day.

Out of the gate was like hamster on a wheel as I chose a 21t cog for this race. About 5th place by notights pic boy before hiccup that allowed chainsaw and peezy by. From that point numb hands and back pain till the end of lap one. After the perfect NFL like hand off from Mandi queen of feed zone, I was pain free and really starting to feel the groove. Made some real racer type moves thru the upper part of the course. Including three spectacular passes in goat from others destruction. Got to upper chute and saw Dustin on a turn ahead exchanged hellos and then pushed to chase. I know this is what Dustin needed cause this gave him motivation to pull it up a notch. On his heels for the last half of chute but he didn't give and knew that it was over didn't have the gear to kill at finish. Nice Job Dustin...

7th overall

Points Of the race...

I figured warm up was not that big considering the amount of flat in the beginning---Wrong

The home brew did it's job, puncture 1st lap 30 second top off and sealed... Scored again!!

My wife Pedals is awesome 7 wins in a row and State Champ very proud 🙂...

 

[pooriggy]

you had a busy weekend dave, congrats on a good finish at the jungle.

 

[pooriggy]

If you are a Cat2 racer that lost your Oakley glasses...I turned them into the registration tent.

i think they belong to Sasha(24hrs.of allamuchy jersey), he came in 2nd for Cat2 40-44. Does anyone have a way to contact him?

 

[pooriggy]

matt good to see you out there. i like the fact that lil rob knew exactly whose camp to go to when robbie had a mechanical.

 

[Bleeder]

Ellen 60 stitches

Ellen,

Feel better, glad you made it to the surgeon.

Bike Patrol.

 

[sasquatch2]

Sasquatch2 = Sascha

the Oak's are mine only if they'r really HOT! Ha Ha, not really! I noticed mine were gone when I wiped some junk from my eyes then realized I couldn't do that with glasses on!?!?! I did find 'em where I kinda had a hunch they would be tho, I endo'd in the rocks after the parking lot section and there they were... in pieces:cry: but I put em back together with some new scratches and missing 1 nose-thingy😎

Ellen, hope you heal up!

 

[Eileen]

Ellen - heal up fast :getsome:

 

[pixychick]

Ken Lungren - awesome write up. You are a true mountain biker.

Matty - great to see out racing!

and yes, Pedals you are rocking it out there!

Thumbs up to all that came out to race and have monkeys throw acorns at you. It was a great day to race indeed.

My race was not so great, but I did manage to finish after slamming down hard early on my first lap.

 

[wlee]

Congrats to Segundo,Willy and Dave for hitting the podium. I'm looking forward to taking your place on the podium next year since you will all be moving up to cat 2. Hopefully It will be Me, Mike, and Fred battling for the lead. You guys have a great forum here. I'll see you at Ringwood. Later Bill

Thanks Bill you have made huge gains this year, keep it up and you will make the podium. I cant speak for the other guys but I am doing 1 more race in cat 3 since I have a small chance at making top 3 in the overall and then its of to Cat 2 where things will be much different I`m sure. I spoke to someone who is well respected last season and asked her opinion on when to move and she said you`ll know when its time and I feel the time has come. I will miss racing some of the guys but i`m sure new battles will start all over again and I am looking forward to challenging myself at another level.Dont forget to stay for the BBQ after Ringwood.Thanks for posting the pic.
________
Willy

 

[MtnRider]

Thanks Bill you have made huge gains this year, keep it up and you will make the podium. I cant speak for the other guys but I am doing 1 more race in cat 3 since I have a small chance at making top 3 in the overall and then its of to Cat 2 where things will be much different I`m sure. I spoke to someone who is well respected last season and asked her opinion on when to move and she said you`ll know when its time and I feel the time has come. I will miss racing some of the guys but i`m sure new battles will start all over again and I am looking forward to challenging myself at another level.Dont forget to stay for the BBQ after Ringwood.Thanks for posting the pic.
________
Willy

Hey Willy - there's always room for an "unofficial race" like hitting Blue or any of the courses from this year and of course the NY Series where they bunch together 40-49 again. As for Cat 2 - I had that realization that I wanted to try a longer race but wasn't satisfied until I got back up on the podium. Goal accomplished and I'm looking forward to a humbling learning experience in Cat 2....

 

[Kirt]

The Jungle. To say I was feeling tired is a understatement. I must have done 6000 steps in the last week packing & moving. Left thigh was really hurting, calf's were sore, legs were just plain dead. Oh well such is life & nobody really cares how I felt. Lets talk about the race.

This was my A race, so I was suppose to be ready. Warmed up with Jimmy & a few others at times. Felt OK enough. Raced started & I got into the ST in like 10th, not good. I eventually got into the top 5 before the switch back climb. Made a few moves & got into 2nd thru the rocky ST up top with 3 & 4 with me. We got bottled up with some slower riders on the descent. Slow enough for me to catch a rock & go over. Both guys go by, I'm pissed. I get back into 3rd. 1st place guy is nowhere in site. 2nd place guy says nobodies ahead but the 4th place guy says there is. Whatever I just pedal. I pass the 2nd place guy at the upper parking lot area (thanks for the pull Dave). Feeling solid but starting to hurt a bit. Still looking for a 5 on someones leg. I get a glimpse, finally. Close the gap at the bottom of the switchback. Make a move at the very top when he comes off. Push really hard to discourage a chase. I guess it worked as I didn't see him back there again. Pass RUChris & chat a bit. He stayed with me for a bit & saw me getting up from my 2nd fall. Just got off course & hit a hole. Nothing major. Ride smooth all the way up the switchbacks looking back after every turn to see if anybody is coming. Looks good & I big ring it to the finish. Got it. 1st place & State Champ. Happy to say the least.

Great to see My Team do so well yesterday. Congrats to everybody who earned the podium (well earned to say the least). Also to everybody who just got out there to compete on a very difficult but fun course.

Thanks to Town Cycle for putting on a awesome race. Great course layout, sweet swag, hot food & leg numbering, WOW! Thanks for fixing the scoring issue very quickly too. Great job on the food drive as well.

 

[steve336]

cat 2 40-45

Loved reading all the race re-caps , tried to get a short one up last night but with only 4 hours sleep the night (newborn)before I was just too tired.

Wlee, Mtnrider huge CONGRATS to you guys I know you guys have worked hard all year and your podiums are well earned!!

Ellen I havent met you you but wish you a speedy recovery.

Well my morning started out much like Blue did a warmup ride with both Rob's ,pooriggy and my brother who flew out from california. he's staying here a few weeks.
Im having a lil bit of a hard time gauging how much effort to put into these's rides.I only have so much in the tank. Well this morning I dont think I warmed up enough because the first mile or so of the race i was dying. Legs had no power what so ever.

So we start off im running in line about 15th or so legs felt like crap as I mentioned before. Get to the top of Otter slide and finally start to feel better, and start passing a few riders in our group (love the leg markings).
Ride the rest of the first lap pretty clean only had to dab a few times, and stay away from the narrow tree openings. Notice my garmin dies . It wasnt fully charged so i have no idea on my lap time.

2nd lap Im really feeling pretty good. Dont see anyone in my class the whole lap. I pass a few riders, some pass me.

Took an acorn to my knuckle. hurt alot more than i thought it would. lol

We all let each other go with no issues. I get up to the top by the tanks and notice my left foot is slipping around alot on the pedal. hummmm not good.
Ride a few more miles and figure out my cleat has come loose from my shoe. Should I stop and try to tighten or keep going? I decide to ride it out with the most technical trails to come. Unclip once and take a quick look only one screw is holding my cleat on, so its just swiveling around. Have one close call going up animal chute(first switchback) where i had to unclip. Instead of uncliping my foot just swivels while staying attached to the pedal , almost do the "turtle fall " but yank straight up and my foot releases. whew. Now I cant cilp back in at all. finish off the race with one foot clipped in. limp home.
Basically held my position while all this was happening. No passing

9th place. Overall very happy with it.We had 27 in our class I think? Still trying to figure out what pace I can ride and still be competitive the whole race.

Post race :
enjoyed another Willy cookout!! shared some stories, met some new people. Good times😀

 

[Team Town Cycle]

Thanks to everyone for coming out - hope you had as much fun racing as we did putting it all together! Congratulations to everyone who wound up on the podium - as far as we're concerned, it's a victory just to get around there!

Race results are posted on the blog at www.teamtowncycle.com - will get them up on the regular "Races" page and on the sidebar tomorrow - after a little more sleep!