Cool MTB Race 2013

[shiloh]

Here I find myself again, testing out the ole racing legs for my first race of the year.  Conditions were the best I have ever seen them at Cool, very little mud, and no rain in the forecast.  I decided to race in the pro class simply because, what the hell is the difference if we are all leaving at the same time and riding the same miles.  Sure I wasn't going to win or even podium but I always compare my time to pros anyways.  

Once the race started things spread out pretty quickly for me.  I watched about 15 guys pull away form me on the first fire road climb.  I yoyoed off the backs of 4 other riders throughout the first lap.  

By the beginning of the second lap I had lost sight of the for others and assumed them gone forever.  But After the first creek crossing I gained sight of them again climbing up the hill.  They were spread out a little bit more now. But i could tell they were hurting a little more then me and I slowly picked them off on the steep climbs.

 Then things got confusing.  I passed a gray haired lady and a what looked to be a six year old on a twenty inch wheel bike.  were those guys I passed back there in my class or not?  Well I guess I'll never know.

 Onto the third lap I kept checking over my shoulder to see if I was going to be challenged.  After the second creek crossing I could hear someone coming up behind me. A Santacruz Fox rider blew by me like I was nothing.  He had flatted earlier And my legs were too spent to even try and keep up.  I bid him good day and watched him disappear around the corner.  

About a mile or so before the finish I heard a hissing coming form my rear tire.  I prayed that the stans would seal it and picked up my pace to finish before it went completely flat.  The tire held and I crossed the finish in 8th place pro, which would have put me in 2nd for cat .  

now I know that i'm in my normal racing shape, and I'm looking forward to Napa Valley Dirt Classic.

[Ryan Gibson]

Nice job Shiloh!

[Carl Sanders]

NIce...