Nevada City Dirt Classic #3/California State Champs#3

[Mark Gibson]

This was the 3rd and final installment in this excellent series of races held in Nevada County which, this year, are being used as the California State Championship.  I had won the last 2 races (Cat 1, 40-49), and so had a healthy points lead in the State Champs competition, albeit one which could be overhauled if I didn't get a decent result in this final leg.  This race would be 4 laps of riding the "Hallelujah" and "Pioneer" trails--some typical fast flowy mostly buff Nevada County singletrack, with a fairly short, loose baby head rock section toward the end, and with one stiff climb near the start totaling around 700' climbing per lap.

My daughter was racing 15-18 Cat 2, which meant an early start to make it in time to do a quick pre-ride of the course, and for her to get to the start line by 10am.  We finished the pre-ride at 9:59am--impeccable timing as always :0, and then it was my job to do bottle hand-offs for her 3 laps.  She won her category so I needed to make sure the old man didn't get too badly shown up by his kid.......

Compared to the previous two races, the temperature was a lot warmer, up into the 80s by the time the Pro and Cat 1 race started at noon.  However, the course was mostly shaded amongst the Pine trees, so not too much direct exposure to the sun, but keeping hydrated would be key. 

My Cat 1 40-49 wave had probably 15 racers.  Amongst them were two fast guys I knew from the previous week's Old Cabin Classic race in Santa Cruz: Eric Hill and Phil Tercero.  Eric had finished Old Cabin behind me in 3rd place, but only 15 seconds back, and we had a great battle the entire race so I knew he would be pushing the whole way, but I felt like I had the legs to beat him again.  Phil had finished Old Cabin several minutes behind me, but is a very strong rider, so again I knew he would be stiff competition, but thought on recent form I should be able to finish ahead of him.  All in all, I fancied my chances at making it 3 wins out of 3.

As with all these races, a good start would be important as the riders are funneled into narrow single track within 50 yds of the start.  After a brief downhill section, a 6-7 minute tough little climb began, and a good position at the start of it would be critical as there were limited opportunities for passing.

At the start whistle, I got off OK, taking 2nd wheel behind Phil who went out really fast.  We hit the first climb up Hallelujah, and I was probably 5 seconds back, but caught right up to his wheel, and when I was able to, I made a pass into the lead.  I opened up a gap over Phil of several seconds during the climb, and was reassured that I was at least climbing stronger than he was, but frankly I was not feeling great, and unable to extend the lead like I should have been able to.  Although I was not going full gas, my legs felt oddly tired already, almost like they were fatigued from a lot of riding when in fact I had had a pretty easy week leading up to this.  A quick check of my heart rate, and it was lower than it should have been based on perceived effort; again a sign of fatigue which was odd.  I got to the top of the climb, took a drink, and set off along a fast flat section before a brief climb heading into the downhill flow part of the lap.  Right before the DH, Phil came by me, although I was happy to just sit in behind his wheel as he was moving at a good pace.  We then caught up several of the 19-39 Cat 1 guys, and while Phil was eventually able to pass them, I got a little held up and lost sight of him by the time I was able to pass by them.  By that time, 1 or 2 of the other racers in my wave had caught back up, including Eric. 

We set off on lap 2.  I tried hammering the climb to get back up to Phil, and by this time was realizing my body was just not going to cooperate.  With my legs not feeling good, I did, however, catch back to Phil on the climb, and once there, I stayed in behind him, knowing or at least hoping that all I needed to do was stay with him until the final climb on lap 4, and I should be able to take him.  We finished the climb and stayed together for the rest of the lap.  At the end of the lap, Eric was right behind me, but it was now just 3 of us in the group, and shaping up to be a tight race between us.  

Lap 3 started out as more of the same.  Phil in front, me one back and Eric right behind me.  We stayed together with what seemed like a good lead over the rest of the Cat 1 guys for most of the rest of the lap.  On the short climb right before the DH, Eric moved up ahead of me, and I didn't have the legs to prevent him from going past me. Still, it was a group of 3 of us, and so it looked like the race would be decided between us on the final climb of lap 4.  Or so I thought.  As we made our way down the baby heads, I "skated" a little too close to a rock which I clipped and which forced a get off.  I was straight back on the bike, but that one small error made me lose contact with Eric and Phil, and that was effectively the end of my race, at least in terms of contesting for the win.  I tried but simply did not have the legs to be able to put in enough of an effort to get back to them.

The climb on the 4th lap was more difficult than it should have been, and getting to the top I felt some relief that the hard part of the race was now over.  I rode a solid pace to finish out the rest of the lap, coming in 3rd, with Eric taking the win, and Phil in 2nd place.

So, I was disappointed with having one of those "bad days" that sometimes happen; but I was still fairly satisfied with a solid 3rd place on the day; and over the moon to take an overall series win; as well a California State Champs overall win.

The day was made a lot better when I found out that Jim had taken 3rd place in a really competitive race; and had also won enough points to take the overall series and State Champs wins in the Pro category.  Cathy also finished strong taking 2nd; and Greg had a great race in a tough field including former National and World Champ Don Myrah!

Looking back, I really enjoyed this series of races, taking place as they do on some legit trails in an area I otherwise would never get to ride in.  Thanks to the Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County for putting on these great races and for all the trail work and advocacy they do in the area.