Warning: Product Placement Within.
This was my first race of the year and I've only been on the MTB a handful of times. Have a really good base on the road bike and can keep up with the
Spectrum ride now. I figured that would be enough to take on Cool.
As usual, I made some pre-race changes the day before with a new WTB Valcon Team Carbon saddle, TRP Dash disc brakes and swapped out my rear tire from a WTB NanoRaptor to the WTB Prowler MX 2.1. Not enough traction for the semi-slick.
We arrived early as we didn't know the $5 fee would affect parking. Now that state parks is collecting money, you could only park on one side of the road. It's a good thing you had a bike. I bet late arrivals were over a mile away.
I had a good warmup, but too soon. I stood around for almost 30 minutes before the start. At the start, about 4 of 5 guys gapped me as I settled into a rhythm. My legs were tight and I didn't warm up until the second lap. After the climb out of Salt Creek, came the first course change. Instead of turning right along the side of the hill, we turned left and kept climbing until a short downhill where we rejoined the original course before the aid station.
The descent to Knickerbocker Creek was good. The carbon hardtail combined with proper tire selection and technique, was less sketchy that I thought it would be. The new TRP Dash brakes work great, with plenty of modulation and stopping power. I followed someone into the water the first time and had to maneuver around him as he dabbed on the other side of the creek.
We made another detour onto the 24 hour course again onto the new single track section with the big root and rock step up. I normally take the route around the tree, but it was easier to run up rather than fight for traction.
The final course change was after the swamp. Instead of going past the school, we made a left and backtracked on part of the 24 hour course and rejoined the old course before the final climb.
After the start, I maintained my position and managed to pass a few more riders, especially on the second lap. With a couple of miles to go, I noticed a rider looking back and fighting to keep up the pace. I was trying to reel him in, but couldn't quite close the gap. I was running out of dirt and made a push just before the downhill where the jump used to be. I passed him on the outside of the turn and held him off to the end. He thought I was in his group and vice versa. We weren't.
I felt like the second lap was faster. Seeing the results confirmed my suspicion. My second lap was 2 minutes better.
5th place.