2010 CCCX #2 - Fort Ord

[Jim Hewett]

This race was on my schedule as an early season training race, so I was going to race it despite rain during the week and a questionable forecast for race day. I went into the race prepared for conditions similar to the first CCCX race I did in 2009, which was seriously sloppy and cold. Though the course was very similar, the conditions were much better. There were a few big puddles, but for the most part the trails were in great condition. Much of the course was a reversal of CCCX #1. Lots of awesome bermed singletrack and many punchy climbs for 5 1/2 laps.
Alex from Rock Lobster was back. I knew I would be riding with him for much or all of the race. The other racer to watch was Will Curtis (Whole Athlete, San Rafael High School), who will be competing next week on the same course in the first round of the Norcal high school race series. Will is a senior and will be the man to beat in varsity this year.
We started on a longer than usual paved section at a pretty slow pace, so I moved to the front to spread it out a little. We turned left up a gravel fire road climb for the first selection. I was taking it easy at the front when a young "Weir victim" on a Blur LT with a gravity dropper passed me. I stuck to his wheel and moved around him once the trail turned up and I didn't see him again (Mark is a strong rider who can climb a hill well on this type of rig, but it might just be overkill on a course where Alex is racing a 'cross bike).
I guess it was about a lap later that Alex, Will and I found ourselves alone at the front. We cruised along with all three of us taking our turns setting the pace until we had about a lap and a half to go. I turned it on a little extra on the gravel road climb and looked back to see that Will was still within sight. We came through the finish area and with one lap to go he was still about 10-15 seconds back. I was definitely not able to relax too much on the last lap, as Will put in a good effort to catch me. He finished just behind me and Alex came in a half minute or so behind him. Shortly after that a cold rain started, a stark contrast to the pleasant conditions for all of our race.
I plan to do the Cool mountain bike race on 3/14, so I will miss the next CCCX race. That's too bad, as these courses seem to be getting more and more fun. I hear Alex might even start racing these on a mountain bike!
I raced the same bike as last time: Gary Fisher Superfly, 1x9 (36x11-34) with Kenda Karma tires.
Stats: Time of 1 hour 39 minutes 56 seconds, 2500 ft of climbing, 25+ miles, average speed 15+ mph, average HR 166, Max HR 177, 1st place in Pro class, $60 prize money!