CMBC (Bud Light) DH at Grant Ranch Race Report by Scott Schlachter It was another fine day at the good 'ol Grant Ranch DH course on Saturday (it really was nice wheather). I was hoping to see another TWWer, but no dice - too much going on this weekend guess... The classes were pretty thin - they were breaking up the age groups just like they do for the XC events - I usually run 28-34, but they had it as 30-34. My division also usually is pretty big (like 30 or so at the Sizzler DH), and there were only 6 of us this time. A buddy of mine was the only competitor in 40-44 Sport Men cat! Too bad too, 'cause his time was excellent (he beat my time, the bastard! Acually, he beat about ½ of the expert class even!). We need some women TWW Downhillers - you would be almost guaranteed to place at these local DH events. Don't get me wrong, depending on your class you might be up against some freakin' excellent competition - Marla Streb does the Hollister series, and her times smoke all but the top Pro and Expert men. Which reminds me: there is a great interview with her in one of the recent racing magazines, if anyone is interested let me know and I will dig up which mag and issue - it is a cool article about an cool local MTB racer (on top of taking first place title at the Otter this year, she also kicked ass in the Dual Slalom *and* the Cross Country - what a bad-ass!). Oops, I'm digressing... Anyhow, they ran the same course that they ran for the Bonsai last year (and 2 of the 6 Bonsai's this year). It's got a lot of pedaling, with a fair amount of semi-climbing. Basically, a great lung burner... I managed a decent time of 5:46:something, and managed a 3rd place medal. Something a little different about this race promoter (vs the other local promotors): they actually have a podium that they want you to stand on when they hand out the awards. I thought that was pretty cool for those folks who actually came with someone with a camera. Well, in the Wrong Way tradition, I of course got up and stood facing... the wrong way. But alas... No one to take my photo... When I saw Rich Henthorn later that day he said that he saw me, so at least I have some satisfaction knowing that someone appreciated my bold and daring statement to the crowd... -Scott CMBC (Bud Light) XC at Grant Ranch Race Report by Charles Price 3 laps about a little over 5 miles a lap. This was not a good race for me still feeling the effects of some bug I had over Memorial day. I did finish 6 out of 8, the southern (So. Cal) boys took 1 to 5. Charles CMBC (Bud Light) XC at Grant Ranch Race Report by Rich Henthorn My 3rd race of the series. 3 laps, about 5.25 miles a lap. No surprises during the race. I felt good. Finished in 1:22, good for 14th out of 27 finishers. Thought I'd do better. I compared the finishing times to last year. Wow, what a difference a year makes. The course was the same as last year. Nothing changed, except the surface was a little drier this year. I remember last year it was very foggy until around noon. Not muddy, just a lot of dew on the ground. It seems I race by myself on these Bud Light races. What I mean is that the people I pass, I don't see again, and vice versa. So, the races aren't really that exciting to describe. It's a matter of pushing to the limit, back off and recover a bit, then push some more. I shaved almost 6 minutes off my time from 1998, good for only 2 positions (16th to 14th). 1:22 would have put me in 6th place last year. At least I beat my nemesis from last year - Russell. Just nipped him by 50 seconds. He improved his time from the year before by about 30 seconds and dropped from 7th to 15th. Encouraging, eh?