Lemurian 2016

[Danny Kelly McNaughton]

Perfect weather for the race. Absolutely perfect. 

I lined up a few rows back this year to remind me to take it a little slower on the first climb. Last year I was pretty fit and 6 full lbs lighter and was in the front group for the first 1/3 of the climb and I think going off full gas and attempting to be a front runner contributed to my crash on the 2nd to last descent where I knocked the wind out of myself and could never recover to finish the race strong (last year I was over a 2:30 to finish).

Ok, anyway, so I kept it real even at the start and then for the entire race. It was a success in that I felt great, had a blast and finished the last climbing sections very strong. Only problem was I finished at 2:21:10, 4-6 mins slower than 3 of my better times on the course. And the conditions seemed to me to be perfect, good traction, etc.. Maybe times were slower due to some mud as opposed to none the last few years? Or the turnout and competition didn't foster the really fast times at under 2:10 where the rest of the pack chases and follows suit? Or Mills was on his 2nd lap, so that slowed things down abit? ;) But seriously, it was just me that was slow.. Well, regardless, if I put the placings and times, and ego-attachment to a quantified result out of my head, then the race was a real success. 

The Shasta Lemurian has to be one of if not my favorite XC race.

For most of the race I battled back and forth w/ Troy Deibert (who has come on really strong in the last two years with some top overall times, especially at the longer events). He was stronger climbing, but I would catch right back up on any descents (though I did almost crash on brandy creek? and then gas can. I got lucky, really..) and I eventually put a couple mins into him that way. I saw the top 5-6 guys (Jim, Tim, Kurt, Mills, G.Eagle, Koch, etc..) stretch it out and disappear on the first climb when it forks and gets steep, and so my rabbits to chase were Lowell and Deibert, across the dam and into the single track. I did catch Kurt Wolfgang on the first descent and I just remembered that I passed Glick (sharp, loose left that gets everyone) on that descent too and worked w/ him a bit on the road across the dam.

Well, I rode most of the middle part of the race alone, with an exciting pass by Mike Castaldo?, who came ripping by, but then had some sort of mechanical on a branch? after the forced dismount/hike rocky traverse, and so I passed him and never saw him again. 

It was nice to have taken it easier pace wise this year, because the last climb didn't hurt and was probably my fastest yet. I am a little disappointed in myself that I didn't give it every last ounce I had to catch Peter Koch and (and maybe Moural Jr. too?) as I made contact with him before the last fireroad climb, but Peter's all out standing sprint, pumping hard, throwing the bike side to side, to start the climb immediately after the abrupt creek crossing, subdued me and I think I was 20-30 secs off him in the end.

Congrats to Jim on 3rd place, super strong showing as always. Good job to Cathy too on her first time. At almost under 3 hrs, a very impressive time for a first time Lemurianer and first year XC racer. (The climbs and this race never seemed to end my first time doing it). Sounds like Simon had a fun time too. I won't be too suprised if he ends up winning this one someday..

My 4in travel bike worked great (though frame and def wheels a little too flexy) and boy the dropper post is nice.

I will have some 26-27mm internal width rims next year on this course I hope.

I came to the race w/ Bill Surges and he had a real strong finish and 3rd place medal.

More than a couple people said to me "you guys have a fast team".  It was fun to race in the Acme jersey (sorry Scott for not wearing a shirt or jersey on the NVDC podium!).

This years Lemurian makes me wanna come back next year.

And I look forward to the new Acme kits and trying some cross this year.

ciao