Skyline XC 2012

[Jim Hewett]

I am progressing steadily with my training for the Downieville All Mountain Race in August.  The XC race at Skyline Park is close and fun, so I decided to make it a day of race intensity training.  This race always falls between my fitness peaks, and I've never done very well here.  My last attempt two years ago was disastrous, as trying to keep up with my usual competition left me shattered on the steep and loose climbs.  I finished in survival mode.  With an okay result at SoNoMas the prior weekend, I figured I would give it a go this year at this classic NorCal race.

I opted for the Santa Cruz Highball hardtail over my Tallboy full suspension.  There is a lot of rocky and loose descending, but just as much tough climbing.  I did use my carbon wheels, with a wide rim (23mm internal).  This, combined with my 2.2 x 29 Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires front and rear run at 23 psi and 25 psi, would give me some cush combined with lightweight and grip.  The downside to these tires, though, is the durability and puncture resistance.  I resigned myself to fate and decided to ride them as though they were bulletproof.

Temperatures looked like they would reach the high 80s, so I filled my Camelbak Racebak with 64oz of GU Brew and froze it the night before.

There were quite a few fast guys at the start.  Former winners Tony Smith, Mark Weir, and Jason Moeschler were there.  Kevin Smallman, Will Curtis, Michael Hosey and others would also be competing for bragging rights at this classic local hardman contest.  Bikes ranged from hardtail to long travel full suspension, wheel sizes from 26" to 650B to 29".  Everyone was hoping they'd chosen the right combo of capable and light to get the best result for the day.

We started in a wave of pros, the pace fast but not too bad.  We climbed the dusty fireroads on the first lap and I stayed in the top five, doing the loose steep climb seated and focusing on not losing traction.  I hit the singletrack third wheel behind Garret and Will Curtis.  We rode like this for a bit, but I made my move at a mandatory stair runup and moved to the front for a long stretch of technical descending.  I quickly put some distance on them, though my memory of the course from two years before wasn't very helpful.  A little while later I heard a rider gaining on me and Jason Moeschler passed me as I bobbled at a waterbar on a switchback.  I rode behind Jason for a little, trying to match the speed of his full suspension bike and skill.  A little too much brake in a moment of distraction and he was around a corner and out of sight.

I saw him again in the open areas before the start/finish area and closed the gap a little as we began to climb the singletrack at the beginning of lap 2.  I noticed Kevin Smallman behind me and we three rode within sight of each other through the climbing.  I was feeling okay - not super spunky but okay.  I knew I had an advantage on the climbs with my lighter and snappier bike, so I tried to keep the pressure on Jason and stay away from Kevin.  Jason pulled out of sight on the descents on the second half of the lap again, but I was able to keep my lead over Kevin.

As we came through the start/finish and headed out on our third and final lap, Kevin had gained some time on me.  He was only about 10 seconds behind and got even closer on the first part of the singletrack climb.  I tried to focus on climbing steadily and successfully avoided any slips on the loose and technical sections.  Kevin lost traction for an instant and I pressed the advantage to move away a bit.  I dug deeper and kept the speed up to get out of sight.

In an open section, I saw jason ahead of me.  I was steadily gaining on him while increasing my lead over Kevin.  I caught Jason and found myself in first place again.  I was a bit surprised, but I then knew that I had a good chance for my first win at Skyline.  I only needed to keep it together for the last 20 minutes of the lap.  Though I was on the verge of a leg cramp, I knew that more climbing would be an opportunity to press my advantage.  The last half of the lap, however, was mostly about going fast downhill in some pretty rocky terrain and some loose and sharp switchbacks.  By this time, I had ridden the course twice and was able to avoid some prior mistakes.  I was feeling pretty good, but heard brakes above me on the last switchback descent.  I let out a hoot as Kevin Smallman came into view behind me and I stepped on the gas.  I gave it everything I had on the last climb and let it loose on the descent.  I avoided the sprint finish and came in about 10 seconds ahead of Kevin.  My first win at Skyline!

 

[Ryan Gibson]

Wow, incredible performance...that was a stout pro field! Gotta feel good going into Downieville. Well done.

[Paul Montgomery]

Must be the new kit?

[Carl Sanders]

Nice work Jim!