Sonomas 2017

[Greg Alsterlind]

The hardest MTB race got harder. The heavy rain of this last winter left this course with a lot more obstacles than last year. I was back on my Trek Top Fuel and stayed with the XR1 2.0 tires. I think the smaller tire got through the mud a little easier and was worth a little slower down hill times? My training program called for a rest week heading into this race and I was questioning if that was the right move, as the race out here two weeks ago left me feeling I needed to spend more time climbing. This year's race started much the same as we rolled out behind a truck that lead us for the first few minutes. The pro field was pretty deep this year and they broke away from the main pack quickly. I was keeping a close eye on my heartrate monitor and riders who I thought I could pace with. Team mate Dave Benjamin (DB)lined up well behind me but I knew he was close. Javier Sanchez (4th place)seemed to be with Roger Bartels ( 1st place) up at the front of the main group. Brian Neary (2nd. Place) was next to me as we reached the dirt. The trail had us on and off the bike a lot for the next 45mins. By the time we got back on the pavement at Rockpile Rd., I had no idea where any of them were. I had my times from last year marked on a sheet and I was a minute behind last year's time. We were riding flat or downhill sections and the field began to thin. Once at the bottom the real obstacles started to appear. Muddy fields, creeks, washed out trail sections and downed trees. At the 2 hr. mark I was still feeling strong but aware I was only about half way through. My next time check was where I flatted following Javier Sanchez in 2016 before a creek. With about a half mile to the spot -deja vu- I caught up to Javier. This time all went well. I was plus 10 min. and passed him almost right away. Minutes later I caught up to a group dismounting to hike up a steep hill. The trail signs seemed to show us continuing on the road but the closed trail sign was directing us up the hill side and there was no way I was going the wrong way out here again. Turns out this was another wasted bad turn. Teammates Cathy Chevron and DB also took this crazy hard hike a bike section. Once at the bottom I watched as riders I passed came through the right way. I now had no idea who was ahead of me other than Roger Bartels. With less than a mile to go before the down hill finish Brian Neary was gaining on me fast. My legs where almost cramping and I was hoping he couldn't catch me before the top. With about 200 yards Brian wished me luck and sped off. In the end I finished 50 seconds behind him and happy with my effort. Dave pulled in moments later giving our team 2 top 10 finishers in the 50+ Cat 1 group. Carson Benjamin came up with a second straight 3 Rd. In the Pro class. Jim Hewett finished a few minutes back after he too took a wrong turn. Danny and Steven didn't have their best days but still showed up strong for most of this unusually long race. Cathy showed no signs of disappointment with wrong turns and finished like a true competitor. I didn't get a chance to talk with Jennifer but she seemed to look up beat at the finish. Another good turn out and result for our team ACME.