Local Action - Tamarancho Dirt Classic!

[Jim Hewett]

200 racers gathered Sunday, June 6, for Marin's only full length XC race, the Tamarancho Dirt Classic. This was the best promotion and organization I have seen in the 5 years I have raced at Tamarancho. Great expo area, attendance, and course. The pro class had 15 registered racers and promised some stiff competition. Among the racers to watch were Ned Overend, Dario Fredericks, Brian Astell, Kevin Smallman (3rd in 2009) and others. Conditions were getting loose and dry, despite the recent rain, and temperatures were forecasted for the 80's. The new course added one extra climb up the steep Dead Heifer fireroad. We would be doing 3 laps with 4 ascents of Dead Heifer, which I knew would take close to 2 hours for the fastest racers.

I spent some time pre-riding the legal sections of the course the week prior, getting a good feel for the corners at race speed. I found a sustainable pace for Dead Heifer, which was a hill interval just under 4 minutes in the red. I was feeling pretty prepared, though a little less than very fit. I have had mechanicals on this course in the past (one flat and a DNF due to a wipeout and subsequent chain issue last year), so I opted for a grippier and sturdier front tire than I might have.

My 18 month old son Simon has been sleeping through the night for the last couple of months, which is a great help with training and life in general. Of course, he decided to break his streak the night before (morning of?) the race. I was up from 12:30 - 4:00 trying to stop the shrieking. Poor little guy has new teeth coming in. I did not welcome my alarm at 7:00 a.m.!

My class started at about 11:30, ensuring we would see the hottest part of the day. The usual crowding at the front for start position (some people appropriately placed, some not) left me in the third row, but with a pretty good line on the right. GO TIME! We started up a slight fireroad climb, jockeying for early position. It would be good to go into the singletrack section before Dead Heifer in the lead, as the switchbacks caused enough slowing that the front racers could move farther ahead.

Dario lead the fireroad climb and descent. I kind of figured he would be feeling strong and going for it early, as he knows the course and seems very fit right now. I assume that's why he raced in the Pro class rather than Cat 1, the category in which he is the current national champion for his age group (I guess it's good to have options?). I surged a little at the top of the first climb to fall into position behind him, with everyone close behind. Another surge put me around Dario and first into the singletrack. The switchbacks double back on themselves so that you can get a good view of the traffic just behind you. Everyone was right there, single file. I tried to keep some speed on these climbs, but stay out of the red as the steep stuff was just ahead.

Dario came around me as we started up Dead Heifer for the first time. About half way up, Ned came around. I didn't fight it too much, as I was comfortable with the sustainable effort I had planned. We got to the top close together. Dario went into the B17 extension first, then Ned, then me. Ned opted for some fast rolling tires (Fastrack front with Renegade (I think) rear), and the lack of traction was evident on the descent. Dario put a gap on us as I rode behind Ned at a slightly slower pace than I would have liked. When we were on more rolling terrain, Ned was able to gas it on the climbs to make up for his lack of familiarity with the trails and traction. I was not able to pass him on the fireroad climbs through the center of camp and suffered the same blockage as we descended Serpentine. Halfway down, Brian Astell caught us and he and I eventually made it around Ned and got a little ahead. Lots of fun singletrack ripping brought us around to Dead Heifer again, where Ned rejoined us on the climb. Brian, a superb bike handler, pulled away from me on B17 extension when I hit a pedal on a root and derailed my chain in the front. Ned caught up and we rode the singletrack together for awhile until I hit my helmet on a branch and bobbled enough for Ned to come around me. These were small 3-5 second mistakes, but these things can be important.

Ned pulled farther ahead on the fireroad climbing back through the center of camp. By this point we were well into lapped traffic, but I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which most overcome racers facilitated a pass. I rode at a decent pace with no other pros around, trying to keep up the effort. As I got to Dead Heifer (3rd time), I saw Brian struggling a little ahead of me. I eased my way past him just as we got to the descent and got away from him pretty well. I hoped to reach Ned or Dario on the last lap, but I also hoped to avoid an accident or mechanical. I found myself again on Dead Heifer, with no one else in sight, and cruised the singletrack to sprint into the finish uncontested in 3rd place.

After the race we congregated and ate burritos. It was quite a nice atmosphere and the weather cooled a bit. There was lots of carnage to observe: blood, flats, and broken bike parts (brain damage! metal damage!).

I did learn later that Kevin Smallman, who would have finished 4th or 5th in my class, wiped out on the last lap and had to go to the ER. Just stitches, thankfully. Also someone was airlifted for unknown (to me) medical reasons.

For the most part a good time was had by all, though there was some suffering involved.

Looking forward to next year!

Stats: 3rd place in Pro, time: 2:01?, 21.5 miles, 3800 ft of climbing, 171 average HR, average speed 10.5 mph, max speed 30 mph. I raced my Gary Fisher Superfly, 20.35 lbs, with a Schwalbe Snakeskin Nobby Nic front (700 gr!) 24 psi and a Schwalbe Snakeskin Racing Ralph rear 24 psi, 2x9 (26/39 x 11-34). I used the 26x34 on Dead Heifer!