Dave Benjamin's Blog – April 2016 Archive (3)

   So, back for another spring of local short track MTB racing put on by Jim Hewett at Acme Bikes, San Rafael.  Or as I named my Strava ride after this race, "Welcome Back to the Pain Cave".  I've been doing this race for a number of years in the 35+ B Class.  I had always been able to wind up the old ticker and let it rip for 30 minutes, many races having an average HR over 180!  But last year, age 51, trying to stay ahead of Acme team mates Mark Ingwersen, Greg Alsterlind and Mark Buell…

   This was my 6th year at the Sea Otter Classic.  The first year doing the road gran fondo with my then 8th grade son, Carson (single speed Masi), then progressing through CAT 3, CAT 2 and the last two years in CAT 1.  I was stoked for this year's edition as it looked like the organizers had finally changed up the course to include more single track and I was going to see Carson race Pro Short Track and Pro Cross Country as a U23.

  For the race I set up my Highball with a Bontrager…

  Continuing my season of trying to race into shape, I convinced myself to head up to Angwin for the NVDC.   It had rained the day and evening before and a light rain was falling as I pulled into the parking lot next to teammates Greg Alsterlind and Mark Buell.  Team Acme Bikes was out in force with approximately 9 riders.  

   The start was uneventful and I seemed to be mid pack at the mud hill run up.  Once on the fireroad along the airport I could see Greg up ahead and used every…