All set for tomorrow’s race here in Richmond. Been here all week acclimating to the weather and getting familiar with the trails. Great course out here in Richmond. Perhaps the best on the Xterra circuit. Crazy river swim with an island run on the opposite side, submerged boulders to dodge and fast cross-current angle swimming. The bike course is fast and fun, however it’s been shortened by several miles from previous years for an unknown reason. The race is right downtown and and the amount of real mountain biking trails is very cool. Tight twisty trails, rocks, techy spots, fast spots, short climbs and several urban features like bridges and staircases that you negotiate along the way. Then onto the run which starts off on the road to get over the river, then up onto the 20 foot tall flood-wall for a stretch, up the gnarly “Myan Ruin” staircase before dropping into the woods and back across the river to the finish via a lengthy slick-rock section, a ladder and bridge crossing and the final trip back over the bridge. Awesome course and promises to be a fast one with a shorter swim (1000m), bike (20k) and run (9k).
Wearing bib number 5 again, I’m expecting another solid race and looking to land on the podium again. The Seven is ready to tackle the trails and I threw on some fresh rubber in the form of Schwalbe Racing Ralphs. The low, tightly spaced knobs will roll quick over the firm trails and hook up well in the corners. Love these tires! The pro field is bit bigger here with the addition of Dan Hugo, Dominic Gillen and couple other locals to spice things up. I’m feeling pretty good today and expecting things to stay pretty close on the swim and bike and have the top 10 guys pretty close heading out onto the run. It’s possible that we will start the run right around if not under the 1-hour mark so legs will be fresher and things be less strung out and closer together. This means the run will have to be fast to hold positions and make up ground. I’m prepared to push as hard as ever on the run in hopes of a fast run split.
Finally cracked the top 5 for the first time this year today. Getting better with every race it seems. The temperature and humidity was disgustingly high this morning. Ninety something degrees and 90% humidity. The water was in the upper 80′s and uncomfortably warm. My warm-up consisted of a Grande Coffee Frapuccino with a few stretches in the shade under a tree. I managed a great start and found some feet on the first lap. Then surged on the second lap to make up some ground. Hit the bike hard and felt smooth and in control in the rough and twisty woods. There is a big climb in the middle of the course that I wanted to destroy and possibly bring back faster swimmers like Seth and Craig, but I just didn’t have the horsepower I was looking for today (see note below). Ended up riding in 5th place on the bike, after the first few miles, throughout the entire race. Still a good ride, but looking for better. Hit the run with no one really behind me and ran a steady pace up and down the killer steep hills while withering under the heat and humidity. Crossed the line in 5th place well ahead of my next competitor. Conrad Stoltz took the top spot with Josiah again in second, Craig Evans in third and Seth Wealing in fourth.
The only other EPC’er representing out there was Jason Hilgers. He pulled off his career best swim, proving that his increased swim training is paying off. Rolled the bike strong and moved up on the big climb on the backside of the course. The heat and humidity also worked him over pretty well, but he held strong and finished an impressive 2nd place in his tough 30-34 age-group (5th amateur) which included Xterra standout Omar Fraser who took the win and second overall amateur on the day. After the race Jason was seen pounding down a Five Guys burger and fries and topping it off with an iced mocha preparing to wreak havoc on innocent travelers in the seats surrounding him on his flight home this afternoon. After sharing a hotel with him this weekend I know what they are in for. Dangerous territory for sure. Great race Jason!
On a side note…
Big props go out to Seven Cycles for not only building a great bike for me to race, but more so for impressing the likes of Mr. Xterra, and devourer of bike course himself, Conrad Stoltz. He was oogling my bike all weekend and later was found writing on Facebook that my Seven is “Definitely the coolest bike on the course”. Pretty big comment coming from a long-time Specialized sponsored athlete. Pho-shizzle! Check it out (left). We’ll ignore the part about it needing more horsepower (although it’s true, along with better cornering skills).
Off to Richmond tomorrow with my buddy Trevor. Round four is next Sunday. Some good rest and lots of practice on the course will be on tap next week before we go at it again in the south! Bring on the heat!
CW
I’m having the best start to my season than ever before. Some of it is due to smaller pro fields, some of it is due to an improved swim, but most of it is due to a stronger belief in myself and my abilities as an athlete. A sixth place finish in Las Vegas and another sixth place in Waco a few weeks back, leaves me in 5th overall for the Pro Series after the first two of six events. Next up are Alabama this week and Richmond next week. If I can get through these two events unscathed and with more solid results I’ll be in prime position heading into the final two mountain races where I typically shine. Looking forward to a solid overall this year already!
I’m ready to crush it tomorrow in Alabama with my lowest number plate to date… #4!
The EPC Xterra Team presented by Wheat Ridge Cyclery debuts the new race kits in Texas in at the second stop on the XTERRA USA Pro Tour. Inspired by their new Pearl Izumi duds, they raced to the team competition victory along with three age-group wins. Ed Oliver won the men’s 40-44, Kristine Gewin (in her xterra debut) won the women’s 35-39 and Danielle Kehoe continues her winning streak in the women’s 20-24 age-gorup. Nils Holtne and Rickey Tolliver both raced to third place finishes in their age-groups. The hot and humid, rolling, twisting course in the central Texas hills made for a challenging race. Everyone on the team agreed the new Xterra venue for 2010 is destined to be a classic on the championship schedule. Post race the team was seen putting down some serious Texas BBQ prior to heading to the airport! Well done EPC!
All set for tomorrow’s race here in Richmond. Been here all week acclimating to the weather and getting familiar with the trails. Great course out here in Richmond. Perhaps the best on the Xterra circuit. Crazy river swim with an island run on the opposite side, submerged boulders to dodge and fast cross-current angle swimming. The bike course is fast and fun, however it’s been shortened by several miles from previous years for an unknown reason. The race is right downtown and and the amount of real mountain biking trails is very cool. Tight twisty trails, rocks, techy spots, fast spots, short climbs and several urban features like bridges and staircases that you negotiate along the way. Then onto the run which starts off on the road to get over the river, then up onto the 20 foot tall flood-wall for a stretch, up the gnarly “Myan Ruin” staircase before dropping into the woods and back across the river to the finish via a lengthy slick-rock section, a ladder and bridge crossing and the final trip back over the bridge. Awesome course and promises to be a fast one with a shorter swim (1000m), bike (20k) and run (9k).
Wearing bib number 5 again, I’m expecting another solid race and looking to land on the podium again. The Seven is ready to tackle the trails and I threw on some fresh rubber in the form of Schwalbe Racing Ralphs. The low, tightly spaced knobs will roll quick over the firm trails and hook up well in the corners. Love these tires! The pro field is bit bigger here with the addition of Dan Hugo, Dominic Gillen and couple other locals to spice things up. I’m feeling pretty good today and expecting things to stay pretty close on the swim and bike and have the top 10 guys pretty close heading out onto the run. It’s possible that we will start the run right around if not under the 1-hour mark so legs will be fresher and things be less strung out and closer together. This means the run will have to be fast to hold positions and make up ground. I’m prepared to push as hard as ever on the run in hopes of a fast run split.
