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Treez and Breeze Race Report by Charles Price Well we had a decent turn out: Joel, Mike G., John D., Bob K., Chris M., Jeff H., and I believe Adam S. even though I didn't see him. When the sport racers showed up, the beginners were already off and racing. The story goes that there was a horse race there earlier and Chris and about 50 other racers took a wrongly marked turn and ended up.... somewhere besides where they were supposed to be. Too bad because Chris was in 3rd position at this point. This was a pretty tough course, some serious climbing right up front, then some fun in the singletrack, with a couple of hike-a-bike sections, (well according to Joel there was no hike-a-bike section, he climbed everything, somebody pop his thighs : ) ) A couple of creek crossings (oooh that cool water felt good on my feet ). The predicted temperature was supposed to be around 60 degrees, I looked at my computer a few times and it was registering 82 to 87, the weather man goofed again. I did manage to see some of our group on the trail, since we were doing 2 laps. The first lap me, John D., and Bob K. went off in the old fart class (45+). The group stayed together 'til the climb, that's when I started pedaling backwards, Bob K. to his position - close to the front as normal, and John was hanging in there. This looked like me and Bob's old battle at the Sea Otter a couple of years back, where he'd beat me on the climbs and I'd catch him on the descents. I was expecting Mike to catch me on the first hike-a-bike section, I guess that was asking too much of him, since he left 10 minutes after us and the hike-a-bike section was around 25 minutes out. Well the first lap for most, was a check out lap, since a few racers were new to this course. Come to find out that this was the same course for the last 2 years, no changes. Mike eats it on a fast downhill that curves to the left with a mud bog across the road, his alternative-go make his own trail down the hill side, though the bushes (ooch ). They were a few bold riders who decided to challenge the double log jump towards the end of the lap. Very good spectator crowd, egging riders to jump the logs. John D. went for it, well, I'll just say he was able to get up and continue the race. As for me, not today, I bruised my ribs pretty bad last year, but the spectators said it was the best crash they saw. Mike tried but bailed, when a rider carried his bike over, causing Mike to scrub too much speed - but he cleaned it on the second lap. Good job for all you who tried it. Second lap. Waiting for Bob K. to catch me on the climb, no Bob, must be doing okay. Mike comes up shortly, we have a few words as he drops me on the climb (must be that singlespeed training ). Shortly after that my calve and quad go into a full cramp, down I go, all I'm thinking is losing time, Bob's on his way, a lot of racers I already passed are passing me, the rest of my race is just survival mode. Approaching the last hike-a-bike climb, pushing the bike before I got there, good ol' John shows up. He asked if I had a mechanical (ha, ha) but I was glad to see him anyways. My 100 oz. Camel Bak was empty, and John was good enough to let me have some of his water. For the kind gesture, I would let him finish in front of me. We stayed together for the rest of the ride - John was filling his oats, just blasting down these fire roads that were a little loose and off camber at times. I tried to stay close, my hole body felt like one big cramp ball though. John is jumping over the water bars looking good - another water bar comes up, John jumps this, landing doesn't look good, he tries to save it, no luck, into the bushes, that is - poison oak bushes. I go by and ask him if he's ok, he said he's ok, so I continue on. John, did I tell you thanks for pointing out that water bar for me? : ) I get to the double log jump, I gingerly get off the bike and easily carry my bike over the logs and climb over. BAM !!!, there goes my calve again, I'm trying to stretch it out, by that time John shows up, my competitive spirit kicks in, all I have to do is go down this hill, across some flats, through the creek and I'm done. On the flats I see Bob as he roots me on, later I learned that he didn't do the second lap, must of felt guilty going out and racing on his wife's birthday. Yes, I did it, finished this punishing race. Joel, Mike, Chris, Bob were already pigging out (on the BBQ). Me and John get ours later. Jeff got his food then too. Overall this was a good race, I don't think TWW did any placing, but I'll check there web site later and post results. Charles
Results (CSM screwed up on the results, so take these for what they're worth):
Jeff Hane - 2:07 - 13th of 35, Vet Sport Men Results do not include DNF's
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