Shasta Lemurian

[shiloh]

One big loop, lots of single track, lots of climbing, an ice cold lake to swim in afterwards, and it's technically challenging. I have been hearing stories about the awesomeness of this race for years, and I've finally decided to get out and race it.

I don't know how or why but I somehow signed up in the pro class. No big deal, though.  Category can't affect my time.  I heard that the mass start was gonna be a cluster of mayhem.  But it wasn't that bad.  Downieville's start is much worse.  Danny and I rode the first climb and descent the day before so I knew what to expect.  I was told to save some power because there would be plenty more climbing.  Things spread out quickly on the climb. I was passed two times on the descent and one more time while eating a GU across the dam.  no big deal, it's a long race. The singletrack was some of the best I have ever ridden. I hadn't cleaned my helmet In a while and my sweat was dripping into my left eye and burning. Why do theses things come to my attention while I'm racing?  45 minutes in and my legs and back were already feeling lame.  With eye burning and body aching, I began to hit traffic from the short loop racers.  Having people to pass took my mind off my pains and made me feel really fast.  I had it in my head that the course was 29 miles long. At mile 23 my legs began to cramp and I was passed by two dudes chatting casually.  As it turned out the race was only 25 miles and I finished with a time that I feel was very good for my first time racing at Shasta. 2:25ish.

Being that The Shasta Lemurian now ranks up there with Downieville and Skyline as my favorite race courses, I will be back next year to better that time.

[Ryan Gibson]

Nice job Shiloh! Sounds amazing....think I will check it out next year, as "[t]he singletrack was some of the best I have ever ridden" is a big statement considering where we live and all you have ridden.