Cathedral Pines, 2013. After doing this race for the first time in 2010, I realized all the fast guys were doing 8 laps. Wanting to join in those ranks, I attempted it in 2011 but did not stay on pace to get it done. In order to achieve this you have to do 51 minute laps or less. It took me a lot of time and math to figure this out. Going out too fast at the start will cause you to fade at the end, ideally you want to build up some reserve time to anticipate the fade, however it's always a fine line between going too deep too early and staying steady.
There was no Cathedral in 2012, because Sandy storm. In 2013 I was ready and was elated to nail it. I did it two more times after this but in 2016 decided to do the team route with this race. I've done this race 9 times, 5 solo and 4 as a team, which makes it the course I've raced the most times. This event has been put to rest, the promoter no longer hosts it, however I have a ton of good memories trekking out to LI to race CP.
Yeah. Good times. I started racing BMX and Road as a kid, XC got me hooked in my 20's then again in my 30's; endurance racing was the vibe I was always looking for (i.e. hang out, race, camp, beer, new places like State College, VA, NC, NH, VT). Bikes have taken me a lot of places and introduced me to many, many really good people over the years. I am not sure I would trade any of the memories. OK, I found a few more photos...
2013 Black Bear Picnic
2013 @rottin' Reg at the Spring Cleaning (I think he was in Stryper at this point)
2010? Bulldog Rump Race at Kittatinny. Went so deep during that race but I was on fire. I was racing against John Arias and we were neck and neck all race and it came down to the last few hills to see who was going to take it. The lap came down the last hill around the rock wall and through the field to the finish. As I came out to the field and was racing behind the rock wall I felt my vision narrowing from the effort. Any harder and I was going to pass out. I absolutely drilled it to the limit to win the race and was very close to passing out from pedaling so hard the last 1/4 mile. It was amazing!
In 2009? I raced the Mohican 100 and it was absolutely horrendous. 5" of rain fell the day before. Driving into the race venue area my buddy Lucky and I drove through some wicked hail. It was so bad we had to take shelter and drove behind a barn to stop the hail from destroying the windshield. The next day we lined up to race in the rain and it just continued. 3-4" during the race and at one point locals were coming out of their houses and yelling at me to take cover as there was a tornado on the ground. My thought- the tornado has to catch me first(wow was that dumb)! I didn't want to stop as I was racing against the clock and I was hoping for a new PR. I finished a decent race but it was so muddy I also sawed though my frame with my chain. I needed a new bike after that and it was a truly epic experience!
2013 I raced the Mohican 100 again in much better conditions. I was doing well the first 70 miles of the race and was just getting exhausted. I pulled into the next aid station and started chatting it up with the volunteers. I told them I was tired and it was going to be easy from there on out. Then the volunteer told me I was the 17th rider through that aid station. Damnit. I jumped back on the bike and got out of there. I finished 8th in the open men. I was amazed to sneak out a top 10 at that race. I believe that's still my fastest NUE finish to date. 7:30's I think it was.
