(L-R: Lloyd, Joel, Mike, Pete, John, Peter, Charles, Mark, Scott, Nick, Adam, Ron)
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Napa Valley Dirt Classic Race Report by Mike Gin As usual, the folks at PUC put on another great race. Kudos to all the volunteers who are out there at the water stations and for the moral support on the whoo-dee-doos and ugly hill climbs. And the weather cooperated nicely - mid 70's and sunny. The course was in excellent shape, with exception of the occasional mud hole. Okay, now to the good stuff. Although TWW didn't hit the podium (awards only 3 deep), we had a very strong showing (and believe it or not, we were able to get everyone together for the photo - a victory in itself). Nearly everyone in the top 20 and several in the top 10. And without a doubt, we were clearly the most visible of any of the teams out there. Those Joe Boxer shorts are a dead giveaway. It was strange, course marshalls kept telling us where we ranked among our teammates (i.e. "you're third on your team!"). That was pretty cool. They probably couldn't do that with any of the other teams out there ("uhh, dude, you're one out of one on your team"). Anywho, here are the official results:
Peter Donohue - 11th of 24 in Singlespeed at 1:56:20 (+18) Note - results above do not include DNF's in the categories. Peter indicated that he had an uneventful race. Good time, good finish. Bad team support though, as he left after showering and didn't cheer on his teammates at the finish line. (Sorry Peter, just trying to get back at you for all the grief you've given me for my lack of riding - don't worry, I'll still be your domestique at the 8 hour race at Sonoma). Pete was the second finisher on the team (due to the staggered start). He did this on a cracked frame too. Those motocross skills were a definite plus for this course. Great job Pete! This course was well suited to his riding ability - a power course which requires excellent handling skills. Remember, the course becomes more technical the faster you're riding it. Get it? Watch out for this guy - when he's on, he's on baby! Joel had a good race for his first race back after a serious elbow injury (dislocation) - boy, what could have been without that injury. Although he didn't finish in the top 20, he did something that not many racers can do - he never hiked his bike. Yes, that would mean he rode up every hill, including the FREAKIN' DEATH MARCH!!! That is definitely an accomplishment of enormous proportions. If you don't think so, try it yourself under RACE conditions. He also battled a faulty brake pad for much of the race. Next time, bring your tools Joel! Myself and Nick were pretty much battling throughout the race early on. Then we worked our way up to catch Ron (surprisingly). The three of us hung together for most of the race once we reached the hike-a-bikes. I was able to walk faster on the uphills, however, Ron would mash by shortly thereafter on the flat sections. Nick was hanging on by a thread. However, the last hills kept Nick just out of reach. Ron and I did the ol' teammate thing and worked with each other on the final fire road home. Talk about flying by people. It seemed like they were going backwards. Then, at the last slight grade, Ron faded slightly, and I finished a few seconds ahead. A great battle and good teamwork at the end. Nick ended up just a couple of minutes back. Adam was at his first ever race. Pretty challenging race for numero uno, however, he was up to the task. A strong time and placing. Get some more races under this guy's belt and he should do pretty darn well. Maybe we could get him some shorter socks though. Those calf high socks are a fashion faux pas. : ) They really detract from the TWW jersey and Joe Boxer shorts. Scott surprisingly didn't totally rip up the course as some had expected (two hours flat seemed a reality for one of our top sandbaggers). But his finish was still strong and again, a top 10 is good wherever you're racing (unless there are only 10 racers). He'll be one to look for next year now that he's got some familiarity with the course. Only one complaint from Scott - he caught up to some not so nice women with attitudes. Come on Scott, next time, just give 'em the ol' forearm shiver. It is the 90's you know. : ) Mark was right behind Nick for much of the race. But then he disappeared. Turns out, he flatted at about the three miles to go mark. Probably would have cracked the top 10 if that didn't happen. Charles had a good race, improving his time from last year by about 5 minutes. Unfortunately, he finished in the same exact place. But still, a 5th place is nothing to sneeze at. Also, Charles easily won the award for cleanest racer of the day. You laugh at his fenders, but he laughs at you scrubbing your jersey. John improved his time from last year as well. And as usual, he looked like he was having a good time. John wins the award for the muddiest TWW'er, as he decided to do like you're supposed to do when in Napa - take a mud bath (when in Rome...). Kinda ironic, as John was the only one to scope out the finishing mud section prior to the race start. The fans loved it though - good ol' John, the consumate croud pleaser. The Lloydman was oh so close, yet oh so far from the finish. After being subjected to the death march and other hike-a-bikes, his derailleur broke (Shimano). He did some jogging and walking and actually reached the three miles to go mark. But he decided to call it there. At least he got to ride the sweet singletrack in the middle. A valiant effort but chalk up the scoreboard - NVDC - 1, Lloyd - 0. Or maybe that should read NVDC - 1, Shimano - 0. : ) All in all, a great time was had by all. The course is very demanding and relentless. But it is a very fair course, because you're race isn't over if you don't get the hole shot (Sea Otter). Plus, the whoop-dee-doos and singletrack winding through the trees are way cool. And those downhills - you could rail those babies. I don't think I broke my promise when I told everyone that this is a great course. See you there next year! Mike
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