The Call Up

Northern California Bicycle Racing Community

Last minute add to my race log and glad that I did. Another well organized race at a fun location. The course starts on pavement and quickly heads up just over 2 miles on mostly fire roads. A short flat section at the top leads to one one the fastest downhills in all the races I have seen yet. The down hill is not steep or technical but it is mostly hard packed sand with banked corners and long wide open smooth sections. I was on my Trek top fuel but my hard tail super fly would have worked just fine. I raced Cat 1 45+ and had some very good riders in my group of 8. Larry Hibbard ( finished 1st) lead off the start and up the long first climb. The next time I saw Larry was on the podium. I stayed with Brian Berry and Joe Narcisco for the first lap. Joe was working harder than I wanted to this early in the race so I backed off and ended up hanging with a very strong Mike Urbina ( Cat 1 - 55+ 1st) for the next 3 laps. As I started the final lap I picked up the pace in hopes of catching Joe. I looked back for Brian but he was not in sight. As I made the last turn up the last hill I spotted Joe (4th place) Side by side with Stephen Cordoza (5th). It was going to take a huge effort but I felt that if I could reach them before the flat section and before the down hill? I could pull away. I dug deep and passed them both who saw me coming but couldn't keep me from passing before we made the turn down. Lap traffic on my first 4 trips down the down hill slowed me but this time I was in the Clear and there was no way I would be passed. Still don't have the posted times up and I am sure Larry had me by minutes but after the poor showing at last weeks Nationals it was nice to finish feeling strong again. Acme bikes had another fine showing with Cathy winning and having the fastest time of the female riders of the day. Jim Hewett took 2nd behind Alex Wild( 6th in Nationals) Pro's. Simon raced with the 13 year olds and held his own finishing 3rd. In all a fun ( hot) beautiful day!

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