Howell Mountain Challenge

[shiloh]

Another fun local race. It is a bit of a shame that it didn't bring out more riders.  Although the cat 1 class had some of the regular strong riders, the rest of the field seemed to be lacking.

I started this race wondering if I had fully recovered from last week's TS 100. I had done a few rides since, none more than about an hour and a half, so I wasn't sure how I was gonna feel.

Off the start line and into the first section of dirt I settled into fifth place. By the time I had made it past the airport and to the lake I had been passed by at least 75% of the pro and expert field.  I'm a slow starter. No big deal, its a long race, I'll catch a few dudes before the end of this thing. About 15 minutes later I crashed and was passed by Brian Butler, who lately has been beating me.  

I finished up the first lap all alone and my legs began to feel like mush.  I started hitting some lapped traffic, oh no wait those guys started with me.  looks like there is a good chance I won't be dead last.  

my legs continued to feel like pooh, but my lungs and heart felt great. I decided to give it all I had on the third lap.  I got by a few more racers who had cracked and one guy who had flatted.  He yelled something at me, but I didn't understand it because it was a high speed downhill section that he had flatted on.  After the race I found out he had double flatted and was asking for a tube and air.  

As I entered the finishing loop I saw some other riders coming across the finish line. I guess I wasn't as far back as I thought. I ended up getting fourth in my class, I think.  The Howell Mountain course is a fun course for racing. It's a shame it didn't attract more riders this year.

[Carl Sanders]

Seems I'm still recovering from ST100...nice job!

[Paul Montgomery]

Thanks for the report...well done!