The sixth race in the Gone Riding GSC series was held at Rock Hawk Effigy trail system in Eatonton, GA. The race loop itself was around 8.7 miles. The first half consisted of really fast twisty service road and double track with a couple gradual climbs. Elevation gain was minimal. The second half was mostly, tight, twisty, rooty, and rocky single track. I thought this course was a blast, however, much of the feedback I received on the trail was that it had no flow.
My race in the Expert 30-39 group starts great. I bolt out front right away with a little help from my teammate Brian who gets me a hole shot going into some narrow pavement. That ends with a crazy three and half foot drop onto some sketchy gravel road. After the drop I am sitting second behind Trent Maddox a friend from racing whom just exploded into fitness this season and wins regularly.
After about two miles he pulls over to let me through. He had told me before the race that he came down with the flu the week before and still is not feeling up to snuff, so I give him a sympathetic glance, pull through to the lead and motor through with my head down and train of riders in tow. Just before the first bit of single track starts I pull off the front to recover and let some other guys do some work.
My pull ends up breaking the lead group into about four by the time we hit the single track. As I let a few racers by, one commends me on my four-mile pull to break up the mass. I managed to get out a “Thanks brother” to him. I went in the single track sitting fourth and it started to slow down. Even if I’m not fit I still have technical skills. At least that’s what I’ve been told, so in hindsight I probably should have stayed in first going in because I could have made a little gap there, but could a, should a. Anyway, the racer who I let in front of me as we began the twisties suddenly broke his chain. I get around him and climb to third and getting frustrated with how slow the guys are moving through the single track. The guy in front of me senses this and pulls aside to let me by and I thank him graciously. Now I am getting into a rhythm again and bridge immediately up to the leader, Rick Pyle, who is fairly skilled in this maze of trees and turns as well.
We finish up the single track wheel to wheel and make the right turn to hit the short pavement section that leads to the chicane and timing booth. This indicates the completion of lap one. We progress through only seconds apart and head up the narrow pavement towards the feed zone. I was fast approaching Brian’s wife, Carrie, our team feeder, who does an absolutely FANTASTIC job of handing off bottles to the guys while still managing to keep their four children happy and well behaved. I snagged a perfect hand off and the kids gave me a kind cheer as I cruise on by. The loud cheers are encouraging, but nothing can help me as my legs suddenly began to slow and loose their snap as we continue up the gravel road. I have to back off a bit and reluctantly let the leader go and make a gap. This is par for the course for me lately. I bang out a killer first ten miles or so and then start to falter.
Now I am by myself for about a quarter mile until racers Bruce Gann and Jason Childre fly past on my right through a gradual S turn. Watching them in helpless disbelief I continue on and try to push through the demons of the second lap. At this point I’m having a hard time pushing and creating a mental block for myself. My motivation drops on the flat dirt road sections, which allows one of Rick’s teammates to pass me after a bit as well. I’m sitting fifth now and realize this is unacceptable. A few minutes pass and I try and get focused and get in some kind of rhythm again. I begin to inflict some anger on my legs with some super hard pedal strokes through the single track and they start to respond a little better. I huff and huff through this maze and start to approach the guy who had passed me for the fourth position. That’s all I need in this mess to give me a little boost. The veins pulse in my head as bridge the gap to him quickly and he asks if I want around. I take him up on his offer and as I pass he compliments my technical skills. Telling him he is an animal on the fast open dirt roads returns the nicety; where my power definitely lacks. I was now back in fourth place and feeling better.
The lap finishes up with me heading into the feed zone. Once again there is another flawless bottle exchange from Carrie. She tells me I was gaining on the leaders again. The adrenaline rush causes me to head way too fast in some of the off camber dirt road turns and I find myself shooting part way into the woods or coming to complete stop. I think to myself this is the last lap don’t screw it up with a crash! Eventually I start to pass some dangling riders in other classes, which is always a good sign to let you know you are making progress. Using them, as a carrot to chase is a great way to pick up the pace and it’s good for morale at this point. My tired and twitching quads crushed the next single track section pretty good, but never do catch site of third place. I dump out on another short dirt road section just before the last bit of single track and stand up and hammer. I then cross into the last quarter mile of twisty single track and pump hard through it. The course finally spits me out towards the finish line.
There is no one in front of me to catch, but muster up all the energy I have left in my legs to sprint to the line. I always like to finish up my races in a sprint no matter how good or bad my day goes. It feels good to give that last big effort, knowing you gave it everything! The race finishes with me in fourth place and I am satisfied with another podium for DA! What a fun race. Props go to the guys who finished strong in front of me, Rick, Bruce and Jason. Great race fellas!
Other great DA team results:
Brian Deloughy finished up in 9th place in Expert 30-39 class. - Way to go!
Mark Johnson (Care bear) finished with another outstanding 4th place podium in the Sport 40-49 class. - Your sparking hot brother!
Peter Joski with a 5th place in the Pro 19-29- PJ never lets up. Killer placing!
Scott Alexander scored 12th in Sport 30-39- Still sitting top three in the points!
Craig Spoon grabbed 15th in Sport 30-39- He’s getting fitter race to race. Watch out !
