Mark Ingwersen's Blog – April 2016 Archive (3)

Staying true to the level of intensity The Shorty brings, race 2 was probably my most challenging to date... but the reward was worth every last calorie burned off!

Team mate Otis stepped up from the B group and recruited several NorCal riders to join us in the A's. The A open group was 12 deep and Sean Melchionda joined the ACME team riders in A 35+. When I saw Sean roll up, I knew there'd be trouble! In a polar opposite to last week where merely 5 riders bolted off from the start,…

This is the event that pulled me into racing XC! It's local, quick, challenging and incredibly fun. ACME bikes deserves major props for keeping this event going since it caters to just about anyone who likes to ride and builds a fun community of like minded riders. Thank you ACME!

After several years riding with the B's and motivated by fellow ACME team mates I entered the new A 35+ category. This would add a sixth lap to this already grueling sprint race. In past years Dave Benjamin,…

I have been wanting to ride SoNoMas for a few years now and finally mustered up the nerves. 7000 feet of climbing over 34 miles reminded me of hill repeats up Queenstone here in Marin. Turns out the terrain was completely different. Not surprisingly, much like last week's Lake Sonoma race. Only much longer, several more than the advertised 1 water crossing to make sure feet stayed cold and I kept rocks in my shoes, and countless ups, downs, turns and fallen trees to hurdle.

Greg and I…