Hodges Dam Race Report

Mike
Check out my race report of the Hodges Dam Race on my personal blog:
http://bartlettbike.blogspot.com/2010/08/hodges-dam-race-on-podium-with-dead-car.html

Quick summary, I got second place in the Pro/Open field, and as this was the Massachusetts State Championship Race I was crowed the Pro/Open Mass. State Champion (it even came with a medal)!

On another note, the team mechanic Nate tuned up my bike a few days before the race, thanks for getting the Epic running fast and smooth dude!

Nate

For the last two years I have avoided this race as I have always had some bad luck here. One year I broke a derailleur hanger and another I bonked and yet another I broke a chain, with no chain tool on me. I thought this year would be better, maybe a problem free run considering that I had so many problems so far this year. I was thinking along the lines of the law of averages... It's time for some good races to start. Unfortunately, no such luck.

There are three words that I would use to describe this race rolling, dusty and fun. Off the start we went down a fire road that runs along the dam. There was still some dust hanging in the air from the Pro class that went off before us. Every one was battling for position, and it felt like a road race and I was trapped in a dusty peloton. I was sitting about 5th and started picking people off since I was feeling good. I felt like I was at an advantage since I like the bermed out corners and rolling hills since I love to push it through the corners. I found the first and second place riders and sat on their wheel for a little bit. Through a section of new single track I misplaced my front wheel and ended up going over the bars. Nothing broke and only my quad was a little sore but I lost about 45 seconds. I was not too pleased with that performance in the corner considering I have no idea what grabbed my wheel. I finally made it back up to the first and second place riders and passed them on a very steep technical climb. Smooth sailing from here... hopefully.

I was watching behind me on the switchbacks and the couple of places that the trail doubled back to see where people were. I was slowly pulling away on the second and third lap. Half way through the fourth lap in the same set of amazing singletrack that I crashed in before, I had another lapse in concentration. There were two logs down, and I hopped the first one with no problem, but my front tire caught something and I was not able to pull it up as well over the second. I pushed the bike out in front of me to avoid flipping over the bars, even though I was not in any danger. I guess it is a good habit to have though. As I pushed forward both of my quads locked up on me. I almost was hit from behind, and I waddled over to the edge of the trail. All I could do is stand there, rub my quads and hope that my muscles were not going to tear off the bone. It was one of the, if not the worst pain I have ever been in. I knew if I could get on my bike and keep a high cadence I would be all set, but second place found me and passed me. I was able to get on my bike and keep pedaling to the end, trying to limit my losses. Overall I was very happy with my performance until half way through the last lap. I was able to keep second overall and win the second place Massachusetts State Championship. We'll just have to see how the Norcross Scurry goes...

Thumbs up to the Comp Edge Racing Team presented by the Pioneer Valley's best bike shop, COMPETITIVE EDGE!

Norcross Scurry

Recap- Nate

I have never been to this race before, so I had no idea what to expect. When I was warming up, I was able to preride the first mile or so of the course. I was hoping the rest of the course would be similar since it was a very fun section. I managed to talk to a bunch of other racers to find out what the rest of the course was like. As a racer I know words can not describe any trail section as accurately as one would like, so the first lap would consist of winging it and hoping for the best.

The course narrowed down to singletrack not to far after the starting line. I knew a good start would mean a good race. I was able to get second into the singeltrack since everyone was in an all out sprint. I had a plan of just sitting on the wheel of the first place position for the majority of the race, and see where I could get some ground and pass there. Little did I know that place was all of a half mile into the first lap. The rider in first clipped a small stump with his back tire and went sidways on the course. I hardly managed to miss plowing into his rear wheel and dove around the outside. He was back on his bike by the time I got around, and I decided that the next downhill section would be a great place to put on a gap.

For the first two laps I put the hammer down and tried to pull away as fast as possible. The course switched back on itself multiple times, so I could see where every one was behind me. Unfortunately every one could see how far I was ahead. I didn't want the elastic to stretch out extra long just to snap back when they saw me around a set of corners. I wanted to just pull away and stay away. I was able to do that and come away with my first win of the season! I forgot the camera at my house so there is no picture for this post. Who would have thought!

The course was excellent, and I am not just saying that because I won either. The boyscout camp has some amazing singletrack. Most of it is very fast and twisty trails that have a lot of flow with not much climbing, but the descents are dragged out so they are fast and rolling. I am really excited to come back to this race next year!