The Bog Dogs have entered the fray in the Root 66 Northeast Cat 3, 30-39 division. My brother Kevin and I have begun contending wholeheartedly. What began as a fascination at the Fat Tire Classic is now a full blown addiction. You can't get us off our bikes...

Winsted Woods - The low mountains of Northwestern Connecticut provided an interesting venue for our first Cat 3 race. A cool May wind forced us to wear long pants and an under shirt but it didn't cool down our spirits. Facing off against two series leaders in Josh Simpson and Rob Tandy was itself enough of a motivator. Not only would we discover how we fared on a difficult course but also up against talented riders.

The race started at a moderate pace with each rider anticipating the coming technical sections including a good deal of mud. All six of us stayed close together until we reached a slight downhill. That was where I tried to make a move. Setting off fast down the hill I lost control and hit a tree. The field of racers passed me. I reorganized and caught up to my brother and Josh when a bit of confusion set in. At the bottom of a rocky fire trail Kevin and I saw Josh take a hard right turn so we followed. Josh had lost the path. It took a few seconds to realize what happened. We all doubled back and found the other racers climbing a muddy hill. This is where the shape of the outcome was determined. During the confusion Kevin had fallen behind. Josh flew up the mud hill while I tried to follow. Along the way we passed Norm Spring and Steve Sekelsky. At that point the racers were spread out in designation. Josh went on to pass Rob while I held third. Kevin battled it out with Norm and Steven almost all the way to the end. The 1,200 foot mountain was rocky up high and wet down low with two fast downhills. While it allowed for a physical challenge there were no opportunities to change the outcome.

Winsted Woods results: 1. Josh Simpson 2. Rob Tandy 3. Alex Hutchinson 4. Steve Sekelsky 5. Kevin Hutchinson 6. Norman Spring

Putney Hill - A rainy Vermont day followed us on the three hour ride to Putney. This time around Kevin and I were armed with four weeks of training, new grips, tires, lizard skins and a positive attitude. This time the rain was appreciated but the battle was stunted for us both. The race started slow with one exception. Newcomer Owen Speulstra took off in a sprint. As we hit the first grassy stretch I became aware of his lead and moved up in gear. Now I had a firm second as we left the grass and dived into a swervy downhill section. I managed to stay behind Owen until the course went up into the hills. I should explain here that I was riding 2.35 Downhill tires that didn't fit the rear of my bike so I had no climbing gears. When the course went uphill I was passed by newcomers Donnie Girard and Daniel Snelson. Meanwhile Kevin and Norm Spring were pulling up the tail end. As they entered the uphill section tragedy struck. Kevin's rear tire suddenly went flat. He was instantly out of the race and had to walk his bike all the way around the course to reach the end. Putney was a beautiful course. Even a full out rain didn't dampen the speedy downhill sections and heartbreaking climbs. The outcome though had already been determined.

Putney Hill results: 1. Donnie Girard 2. Owen Speulstra 3. Daniel Snelson 4. Alex Hutchinson 5. Norman Spring