(L-R: front row - Mike, Wes, dog, Joy, Jodi, Charles; back row - Scott, Joel, John, Rich)

Lake Sonoma XC Race Report by John Dillow Try as I might, events conspired to keep me from arriving at Lake Sonoma on Saturday for pre-riding, camping, and camaraderie. When I got there Sunday morning, Wes, Mike, Scott, and Joel were already tinkering with their rides. Mike had a handful of cassette cogs and was tying to decide which one (!) to use. That's right-a single speed debut. Scott was agonizing over class identity (beginner or sport). With still an hour and a half to the start, I went for a pre-ride... The low-key atmosphere makes racing Lake Sonoma a most relaxing venue. The starts launched 9 TWW'ers on 4 laps (3 laps for beginner and women) of great technical single tracks. Each lap was 4+ miles and included on-and-off camber single track, tall grass single track, rocky single track, creek crossings, and a Team Wrongway loop. The downhills were as technical as your speed and the uphills ended before they became demoralizing. As a bonus, the course meanders enough so that you keep seeing other teammates (those Joe Boxers certainly stand out) and can shout (or pant) words of encouragement. At the bottom of the first downhill section the trail narrows to a one-bike creek bridge. Unfortunately Charles and another rider found that two bikes can't occupy the same one bike bridge simultaneously. When I arrived, Charles was upside down in poison oak and the other rider was nursing a badly lacerated forearm that needed a bigger Band-Aid than I carry. Since the first downhill was so much fun, I decided to ride back up to the start to alert the medicos, then I could re-start. (Two starts for the price of one!) At the finish, picnic tables were loaded with salads, snacks, drinks, and tales of glory. Team Wrongway Wriders in attendance: John Dillow, Mike Gin, Rich Henthorn, Jodi Lazar, Joy (Jodi's friend doing her 1st ever MTB race - in Sport class, too), Joel Northrup, Charles Price, Scott Seery, and Wes Taylor. At Podium time, TWW brought out the broom and swept the standings. Check this out: 1st, sport men (31-40): Joel Northrup (1:55:46) 1st, sport men (41-50): Scott Seery (2:04:47) (Aren't you glad you chose sport?) 1st, sport men (51+): John Dillow (2:44:45 incl time to re-start) 2nd, single speed: Mike Gin (2:00:58) 2nd, sport men (41-50): Charles Price (2:18:28) 3rd, sport men (31-40): Rich Henthorn (2:01:47) 3rd, sport women: Jodi Lazar (2:04:50) Good Samaritan Award to John (a Wild Woolies jersey) for summoning medical aid TWW rides again at Lake Sonoma in August for the 8-hour Team race. Mark your calenders now!