What a great course that
Boulder Racing put together for the second race in their series. Sunny weather and a
BAR/BAT race brought out the racers in big numbers. As at the first race, Dan and I arrived early and set up shop and began our pre race preparations. Two and half hours before race time it was cloudy and about 37 degrees. The weather man had predicted temps in the upper 50's and I began to wonder if we'd get close. I had brought some cold weather gear, but wasn't prepared for it being this cold. I borrowed some stuff from Dan and we got dressed and took a couple of laps on the course. The course was awesome. There was lots of power sucking grass, off camber turns, technical sections, and a killer run up section that featured three different barriers with short but steep run ups and a volleyball court of sand in the middle thrown in for good measure. We continued our warm ups and I tried to settle my nerves as race time approached. About ten mintues before the race was to begin, we headed for the start area and jockeyed for position up front with 7o or so other racers. Both Dan and I got spots in the front row, albeit at opposite ends. We were
packed in tight and I was convinced there's be a crash. The start was quick and I got a good jump. Going around the first turn I had myself in the top ten, my teammate peter was about fifth and Dan was off front and creating a small gap! At the time I didn't know it, but as you can see in the picture there was a small crash that brought the riders behind it to a stand still. Just more evidence how important it is to get into the front at the start. About three-quarters through the first lap I caught up to Dan and as I passed by he said, "I blew my wad on the start, go get 'em." His glory was short lived, but I think he had fun while it lasted. For the first couple of laps I was able to hold my position in the top ten, but slowely over the rest of the race I would lose a spot here and there. Going into the last lap and a half, anytime there was a hill my legs would start to cramp. I was worried that I would continue to lose positions, but at this point those who were going to pass me had and I even begun to lap some of the slower riders. As I made the last corner to the finish line on the last lap, I got stuck behind a lapped rider and the guy behind me caught up to me. We turned to the straight away, he made his move, but I had enough left to beat him in the sprint and finished in 23rd place.
What a great course that Boulder Racing put together for the second race in their series. Sunny weather and a BAR/BAT race brought out the racers in big numbers. As at the first race, Dan and I arrived early and set up shop and began our pre race preparations. Two and half hours before race time it was cloudy and about 37 degrees. The weather man had predicted temps in the upper 50's and I began to wonder if we'd get close. I had brought some cold weather gear, but wasn't prepared for it being this cold. I borrowed some stuff from Dan and we got dressed and took a couple of laps on the course. The course was awesome. There was lots of power sucking grass, off camber turns, technical sections, and a killer run up section that featured three different barriers with short but steep run ups and a volleyball court of sand in the middle thrown in for good measure. We continued our warm ups and I tried to settle my nerves as race time approached. About ten mintues before the race was to begin, we headed for the start area and jockeyed for position up front with 7o or so other racers. Both Dan and I got spots in the front row, albeit at opposite ends. We were 
packed in tight and I was convinced there's be a crash. The start was quick and I got a good jump. Going around the first turn I had myself in the top ten, my teammate peter was about fifth and Dan was off front and creating a small gap! At the time I didn't know it, but as you can see in the picture there was a small crash that brought the riders behind it to a stand still. Just more evidence how important it is to get into the front at the start. About three-quarters through the first lap I caught up to Dan and as I passed by he said, "I blew my wad on the start, go get 'em." His glory was short lived, but I think he had fun while it lasted. For the first couple of laps I was able to hold my position in the top ten, but slowely over the rest of the race I would lose a spot here and there. Going into the last lap and a half, anytime there was a hill my legs would start to cramp. I was worried that I would continue to lose positions, but at this point those who were going to pass me had and I even begun to lap some of the slower riders. As I made the last corner to the finish line on the last lap, I got stuck behind a lapped rider and the guy behind me caught up to me. We turned to the straight away, he made his move, but I had enough left to beat him in the sprint and finished in 23rd place.
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