2016 Rockhopper Classic

[Mark Ingwersen]

With a couple of years of local racing behind me and having done well at the Shorty series it was brought to my attention that I needed to move up to a notch when signing up for future events. I ponied up for my CAT 1 (mtb) USA license and signed up for the Rockhopper Classic in expert 40+ mere days before the event. Also there would be Greg Alsterlind, Mark Buell, Dave Benjamin, Cathy Chevron, Jim Hewitt, Stephen Flynn, Bill Surges and Michael Koppe to make for a massive turnout for Team ACME!

Greg picked me up bright and early and we drove through the fog to Vacaville in good spirits... until the fog was burned off as we neared Cordelia and the temperature began a steady climb. The hills around Lagoon Valley park were already covered in golden grasses and the lagoon looked rather swamp-like. We anticipated the worst as the morning became brighter and ever warmer.

My Pivot LES was rolling on a 2.2 Maxxis IKON in the rear and a 2.5 WTB Weirwolf up front to quench my fears of washing out on a loose dry course. I also upped by forks pressure to 95psi in hopes I'd be toggling the CTD switch less often between climbs and descents. Once Greg and I had parked we checked in and met Mark Buell, then started our warm-up and pre-ride. Mark had been there the week prior and led the way. The trails were actually quite fun and despite dusty dry conditions, the ground offered a surprising amount of traction from its intensly hard-packed and (in the later portions of the course) hoof-damaged surfaces. The first third of the course weaved it's way over hills, through shaded woods and up the grassy slopes in a mild cool breeze to a nice view over the park. We took a steep cut off to make our way down to the start.

The first group rolled out at a brisk but conservative pace. Just after hitting the first single track everyone was slowed by two equestrains who'd obviously not noticed the gathering of cyclists at the park. Once the nervous horses were out of the way we gained speed and worked our way up the first climbs. I watched the pros and a few others motor away from me. Several of us were still close together as we descended the first hill past a stone pit and a park bench and then the steep drop to a sharp right hander under the trees. It was on the wide gravel road where I gave a little extra on the pedals to accelerate past 3-4 riders since there'd not likely be any passing once we hit the single track sections. With the riders I'd just passed right behind me I had to remind myself that I'd be doing three laps and pushing too much too soon would ruin any chances of keeping them back there. As I reached the turn off for the second downhill, I heard that the lead group was 4 minutes ahead (:O)... "what, already?" Regardless, I needed a breather and the high speed single track was perfect. Now and then I had to dodge a few larger rocks hidden by the tall grass and tried to remember where they were so I wouldn't nail them on the next two flybys. The advertised "fire road for passing" was more like a fire road for torture. The pitch was relentlessly steep and in full view of the bright yellow globe in the sky. Thankfully not a long climb, the slope lessened and a tent filled with friendly cup loaded people came into view. I tried my very best to drink from the cups while gasping for air managing to empty half the contents onto my jersey as I drooled it back out. Obviously I'm going to have to work on improving my intake of hydration from a Dixie cup.

The relief was brief, the trail now climbing switch backs offering a fantastic view of those right behind me. The pressure was on. After another fire road section and then more switchbacks the top was in sight. No wait, more climbing and then. No wait, more climbing. Finally the course turned down hill again with a long straight bomber run to a very slightly banked right over hoof ruined trail. The longer straight gained me some ground over the under geared single speed Bill who would soon catch up to me again. The last part of the down resembled a worn flow trail and would become a lot of work on the last lap with hands hurting from the constant jolts of rough trail to tired legs from everything else. I rounded the water tank at the bottom and headed towards the ringing cow bell from the steward manning the cattle gate before the half-pipe ditch to finish lap 1. As I turned right at the end of the start/finish straight, a glance over my shoulder to see the story behind me, I slowed to a more maintainable speed.

My second lap was fairly uneventful and the group had spread out considerably. I swapped positions with Kurtis and Steven from the 19-39 experts a few times as we settled into our respective paces. Still feeling fairly strong, I enjoyed the jump out of the half-pipe ditch to roll past start/finish into lap 3.

I jettisoned a bottle to make room for a perfectly timed and executed hand off from Amy and Kate Benjamin (thank you!) and cruised on. By the time I'd hit the wide gravel road for the last time, Kurtis was on the horizon and veering back into the trees ahead. Halfway to the trees myself, I sat up for a quick stretch and looked back to a road free of anyone on wheels. The heat had definitely gone up and climbing was especially tough the third time around. I started to reel in Kurtis, but ultimately he kept a solid gap. Bill, on his single speed was out of the saddle and hammering the fire road climbs and I wondered how he managed it. I gave a thank you wave to the young man on the motorbike stewarding one of the last climbs and was later grateful it was "all downhill from here". Bill, who normally would catch up to me was keeping his distance and I was able to ride most of the descent on my own.

It was maybe a mile before the finish when I let myself become distracted by two hikers and missed the exit of a turn by maybe an inch, running my front wheel off the trail. Down I went, not hard at all, but enough for my leg to cramp. The hikers shouted and Bill was suddenly there whipping past me. I hopped back on the bike and fought the cramp to the finish, zoomed over the line and let momentum carry me to the TREK tent Jim and Cathy had set up. I picked up my bottles and scooted back to finish just in time to catch Mark Buell come in right behind me, followed by Greg and then Dave.

At the rather scattered awards ceremony, it was clear that ACME had dominated the event! When I looked over the finish times, I was impressed by the efforts by all our riders. Looking like a fantastic year for Team ACME!

[Cathy]

Omg, i so know what you mean about trying to drink from a dixie cup while gasping for air.  I never get anything down me, other than on my jersey!  Nice report!