[Original can be found at http://fancyshpants.blogspot.com/]

It's finally here! Mountain bike season started out with a bang (or actually, just a somewhat casual start) with the Rockburn Reloaded USAC race this weekend in Elkridge, MD. After over a year off of serious racing, I was really itching to get back into the competitive scene. I even started to do some of the certain serious racer preparations, as evidenced by this photo:




The large explanation point after the title shows dedication, excitement, and an utter disregard for proper grammar (I later added two more for emphasis). So, after a week of being too antsy to progress my knowledge of physiology in the academic setting, I packed up the car and headed to the lowlands for some good 'ole racing.

The reconnaissance work I gathered from various sources pointed to a day of fast, non-technical racing. However, much debate persisted with the likes of the single-speeder contingency as to the proper gear ratio for the course. I met David Kelnberger (Fisher 29er Crew) at the registration booth and we both decided that a 34x18 set-up would be ideal for our 29ers, figuring that the course had very minimal climbing. My only other option was a 20 tooth cog, which I refused to run to avoid spinning out in a blatantly fast course. A short time prior to race start we were both informed that the climbs were a bit more numerous than either of us were led to believe. Being the stubborn old and young mules that we are, David and I dragged our arguably overgeared mule-legs to the start line without changing anything. Unfortunately, I would be the one to suffer from this mistake, whereas David would thrive with a first place finish.

The race went off with grandiose words of encouragement from the official. I can almost remember verbatim his inspirational words of "Ok, um, you guys can go." So much for gun shots, whistles, and horns. With little hesitation, we clipped in and headed up the starting climb through the timing tent. With only five starters in the SS class, we were sure to have an interesting event.

In my eagerness to get moving, I made the personal decision to go out hard in the beginning of the race. I was able to develop a few seconds lead on the field in the first mile or two, but I reached a point where I was neither gaining time on the field nor loosing time back to them. I filed the attempt as a failure and slowly drifted back to the field to stay safely in the pack. However, my attempt did offer a wonderful photo opportunity to display pridefully my new team kit.

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234805-2009-rockburn-reloaded/164359-cat-1-single-speed-start

If you were wondering, plaid is the new argyle, and to my knowledge Freeze Thaw Cycles is the only team up to date on this new fashion trend (ah, shameless plug for the shop...).

With our whole group in tow, we settled in to a pretty fast pace. The course proved to be favorable to the hammerheads, as the only technical features were sand filled corners and a section of roots which offered minimal problems. The climbs were either short and steep 40 meter power efforts or shallower, progressive climbs, but nothing that was too daunting.

The majority of the changes in field position for the single speed class came down to mechanicals. Halfway through the first lap one rider flatted out and refused our offers of a spare tube. Down to four racers, we muscled along. Towards the end of the first lap, another racer snapped his chain after cresting a hill and flipped over his bars onto the concrete. With two riders out, the rest of the race was just determining what the podium will look like. Ryan Delaney (Potomac Velo Club) led our trifecta into the second lap, with me in second and David Kelnberger in third (though position was unimportant, as we were all wheel-to-wheel). Feeling comfortable with my position, as well as my ability to hold pace, I focused on being patient and waiting for someone in our group to make a move. Unfortunately, I would not have time to witness the move. Two-thirds through the second lap I flatted and had to let Dave and Ryan go. I was able to fix the flat quickly, but the remainder of the race was to be a futile attempt at catching up. David would later make an attack on the third lap to pull away from Ryan (who also suffered from the indignity of a flat later in the race).

With only one 16g Co2 cartridge, I returned to the race with a rear tire that was a little softer than I would have preferred, but I was back in nonetheless. I was able to maintain the original pace through most of the third lap, but I definitely began to feel tired from the 34x18 gear on the short, steep ups. By the fourth lap, my legs had been beat to a pulp from the high gear, and I started to test the precarious balance between going fast enough to not lose too much time to 2nd while not going too fast where I would cramp. The end of the fourth lap proved to be increasingly painful as my muscle contractions mimicked piercing needles. As I rounded the turn to the finishing climb/straight, I went out of saddle to do a nice strong (and entirely unnecessary) sprint through the line. It hurt.

Although their were only five starters, I was still very happy with my third place finish. Rockburn provided me a great way to get back into the racing scene and get used to the Cat1 fields in one humbling weekend. I was hoping the race promoters would post the finishing times so I could compare them to the other PRO/Cat1 racers, but when the registration fee is only $20 I'm sure cuts have to be made. However, Ryan will back me up when I say that cutting costs by taking away the food cart shortly after the end of the last race (ie before the racers can get food) does not fly well.

I have about a month before my next race, which gives me plenty of time to work on some of my limiters before the season gets into full swing. Primarily, I need to work on sustaining my high end for longer periods of time. I realize that it may take a while to get used to the longer course lengths for the Cat1 class, but I should be able to make the adjustment. I may even start the ever-dreaded training regimen to maximize my form, though don't hold your breath. I will, however, be looking forward to the PA races to take advantage of my technical riding abilities. Fast courses are fun, but I can take advantage of some rocky terrain to make up for some lack of fitness I may have on some of the more veteran riders.

Rockburn provided a great opportunity to jump into the 2009 season, and I am very glad I was able to make it down to the event. I ended up meeting a lot of cool folk, and was able to catch up with a few familiar faces I had not seen in years. Great thanks to the race promoters for all their effort! Hopefully they will be back next year with a few of the kinks worked out. Also, great job to Colt from CyclingDirt for the race coverage!

As for me, it feels damn good to be back.