Nevada City Dirt Classic #1, 2017, First Race of the California State Championship Series

[Jim Hewett]

I had heard good things about the Nevada City Dirt Classic races.  Friends had told me that they were fun courses with a well-run grassroots feel.  I had them in mind when I was building my race calendar for 2017, and their designation as the 3 race series that would determine the USAC California state champion sealed the deal.

Mark GIbson and I drove up past Auburn and into the state forest to throw our hats into the ring in our respective classes, and for a little more training before The Sea Otter Classic the next weekend.

I was racing my Trek Top Fuel again, pretty much the same as SoNoMas.  There had been rain late in the week, so I felt the Rocket Rons would be a safe call for tires.  This bike had been feeling so fast for me, a very race-able build and only 20lbs 11oz.

We arrived in time to register, suit up, and get a very small warm up.  We had hoped to do a full lap pre-ride of the 7 mile lap, but would have to race it blind.  I lined up with the other pros, a little disappointed by the relatively small turnout of only 5 or 6.  I recognized only Kell McKenzie, a racer from the East Bay.  All the other racers that lined up at the front looked like they were under 20 years of age, which made me feel kind of old at 45.   We rolled up to the start line and too abruptly heard the start whistle. 

The first bit of the course was very fast with banked turns and fireroads that trended gently down hill.  I moved up to 4th position quickly, but let other racers charge at the front.  We were going at least 20mph, so I spent a few minutes drafting.  After seeing  the guys in front of me do a couple sketchy things, I decided I didn't like trusting their wheels and moved to the front.  Right away, a Scott Bicycles racer (Cody Schwartz) came around me and we pulled away from the rest of the field.  We turned off the fireroad into some fun bermed turns, and then more fireroad climbing.  Cody seemed desperate to get an early gap, and I let him go a little.  I was soon overtaken by another racer, and went into more singletrack in third place.

We made our way to the "Hoot Trail", a very fun flow trail.  The dirt conditions were absolutely perfect, with moisture but not much mud.  I tried to push it, but kept it safe.  I opted for smoother lines around most of the numerous small jumps, as most of the lips had a little kicker that wasn't so good for my XC race bike.  I overtook the 2nd place racer, who was off of his bike, and eventually popped out on a fireroad climb.  This climb took me to a long section of switchbacks, that were mostly smooth and not too steep.  I could hear Cody ahead, but I was not gaining on him.  The rest of the lap revealed more ups and downs and some freshly cut new trail, with a longish straight climb where I looked back and saw a couple guys chasing.  I came through the lap finish area a little over 1 minute behind Cody and went out for number 2.

This lap started more smoothly, as I was riding by myself and had some knowledge of what to expect.  I was generally averaging 14 miles an hour, which is pretty fast for a mountain bike race.  I pushed a little on some climbs, and felt a little faster on the flow trail until I botched a jump and lost a few seconds.  I quickly realized there was someone catching me, and he closed the gap on the fireroad climb to the switchbacks.  I knew he must have had to dig pretty hard to catch up to me, so I pushed hard on the climbs and eventually got out of sight in the woods.

My legs were feeling pretty good, but this was the end of a three week "build" training block.  Despite accumulated fatigue, I was recovering well enough to punch it on the short climbs.  As I came through and started on my third and last lap, I felt sure I would be able to keep up the pace for another 34 minute lap.  I laid off the brakes through the fast corners and fireroads for the first few miles, trusting the perfect trail conditions and my knowledge of the course.  I felt smooth and fast on the Hoot Trail and got to the switchbacks farther ahead of my pursuer than on the last lap.  I kept it steady and built the lead, coming across the line a couple minutes behind first place.