MNSCS#3 DuLac ShingleShpeed

MISSED BUCK: Called away to funeral in Ohio Thurs. Duncan & I hoped to make it back in time for DuLac. Without ride in legs since Wed., it was a mystery how quick legs would open. One bonus of Ohio trip, Duncan's Flop went Hawk, then removed to Short for the funeral. Bonus?

DuLac ROCKS: DuLac is an awesome course. Once in the woods the roots & swoops just make it feel so natural. A bit like colorado trail, CO. I wish Afton & Hillside still had those roots &/or debris.

THE RACING:
DUNCAN kicked it in Sport again. He sufferred good as he's been a real good school boy. Physical work is an adjustment. He's fumbling into another good teenage racing season. I never push & always cheer his decision to race. Nice job cranking those Hills finishing strong!!

Back on shingle shpeed my race went real good. SS rocks, but I can totally tell my weak points. I know what must be done. Generally my racing is improving. Although initial climb really hurt I bounced back (opened up after doing nothing for days). On "first" climb SS forced me to hammer or die. Like any good fool I hammered. Topped out basically with front 5 guys. Then spent most of the ridge recovering. Before "final start climb" Devon snuck in front, right in front, for me to draft or something. I was seeing stars maybe not that close. Regardless a good move, prob picked up from his team mate Hollywood :). It was all I could do to "pedal" last climb to the chair lift tower!! Love that SS tourture.

Lap 1 Chuck meandered through the woods as Tom, Barry, Michael, Myself & Nikolai followed for 10th spot. Andy was up ahead in sight. Brendan, Jack, Jesse, Eric, Sam, Chris, Eric, Jake & Devon we're out of sight. With our 10th-15th spot train Nikolai was quite eagerly asking to get by. No where to pass, stuck, I felt good & replied I'd like to get by too. He was persistant. Finally on an uphill I hammered hard to pass Micheal. At least I didn't have to hear that anymore. Well I could still hear it. I actually gave a friendly yell up, come on let's go xyz. Honestly none of it bothered me and thought it a bit humorus. The train of 5 continued. I remember telling Tom, money in the bank. As I knew it would all shake out. To Nikolai's credit he has gone from middle to top of expert class in a race before. But traffic is price to pay for slow start. Really late in lap 1 trail gave way to passing. I led group at a bit faster pace to finish lap1 woods. It was a comforatable pace. I offered Nikolai the lead in woods but he seemed content. Even though some money in the bank is best for long race I wanted to hold my spot. To do this I needed a little gap before the big climbs. The SS was bound to kill me climbing. And it did, recovery & catching the remaining train peices was a challenge after cranking SS up those climbs!!! Next few laps I generally caught or chased that group.

Long story short Tom, Barry & Michael raced smart ending ahead. Nikolai ended behind me as did Jake who hammered hard on start. Andy did kung foo move to his leg and Chris was slowing and I was able to pass both of them Lap3. I did catch Devin lap4. After he ignored my desire to pass, instead of being patient I hammered through uphill weeds to pass. I was laughing as it similar to the goofy things we do on team rides. I kept the pace up in woods but burned too many impatient matches. Devon wanted it. I was silly again. He passed, I followed home for 11th oa. My enurance is coming around. The SS will do the rest. Good times!