Ride Serries Finals
Haul Asster, CA
Pure
Juice Productions sure does put on a pretty good DH race, they switched
the course during the second race by adding a small rock section and a
double at the bottom that I still can't have a good landing on. This race
they decided to extend the race by 1/2 mile just for us XC racers so the
finish line was in the open section of the parking lot. Pretty cool, it
let everybody see just how winded you really were.
The usual TWW suspects were there, Ron Chai, Scott Seery(still in the zone) n Angie, Scott n Shaney, Mark n Eve, Robert Gerodias n Riza n Xman, Fredric, Mike Urbina, Myself n Gigi n Kids.
During my practice run, I found the course to be pretty loose around the turns but the course was fast, I tried jumping the double getting good air but not feeling comfortable with the landing so I just decided to roll the doubles during my race, no glory but damn fast. I was leading in the points in my class and Jeff my nemesis could have easily taken 1st place if he won this race, which I wasn't gonna let him do.
I had a pretty good run with the loose turns, rolled the double and sprinted to the finish for a 5:23:06 good enough for a 1st place in my class and a 1st place in the Hollister series. Not bad for my rookie race!
------------- Gratutious sponsor credit here ---------------------------- Azonic: Body Armor, Knee & shin guards, DH pants and gloves gave me the confidence to rail hard around turns and live to tell the story. Bell Helmets: Courage for my head Race Face: Cranks, Stem, Seat Post and my look at the starting line. Chris King: Discotec Hubs and Headset, yes, I'm a weight weenie but I love bullet proof stuff. WTB: Motoraptor 2.4's, Lightweight, no flats during the whole series, awesome/unbelievable grip. Clif: Shot and Bars good enough for trailwork on Saturday and Racing on Sunday. White Lightning: Race Day nothin' sticks better on chains.All in all we had a great day and Team Wrong Way walked away with 5 "metals" and some good memories.
Nick Relampagos
Well,
well surprises just keep coming. I ended up 2nd on the day and thanks to
double points, 2nd for the series just ahead of "Chev" Mann. Does anyone
know this guy? He definitey makes a statement- he rode the race wearing
a white cowboy vest with fringe. When he introduced himself to me he said
"Hi, I'm Chevy, but then you probably already knew that knew that". I want
to see if we can fit him and Keith in the same room.
Oh yes, my run. To sum it up- ugly, but effective. I think I had "double points" running thru my head a little too hard. Instead of gliding down the hill I careened down it, bouncing off hard objects, sliding, and letting the bike absorb all the mistakes.
At the new extended bottom section I let my cross country legs take over and pedaled my ass off cause I knew lots of folks would be spent at that point. When all the huffing and puffing was over it was good for 2nd Vet. expert with a time of 5:10 but still not quick enough to beat that pesky Schlachters' time for TWW bragging rights. I believe he had a 5:08 and 2nd for the series.
Congrats to all the TWW meTalists and thanks to Scott Schlachter and Rich Davis for technical support.
Mike U.
Well,
I figured I'd write some blabber since I don't think I have yet this season's
Hollister race: What a beautiful day! Great weather all over the bay area,
made it actually HOT down in Hollister. The course was very dry compared
to all of the previous races, which made it a bit faster in the smooth parts,
and loooose in the corners. Pure Juice Productions seems to be getting better
organized every year (quicker times for posting results, starting on time,
the chicken was actually fully cooked at the BBQ this year, etc). I think
a fun time was had by all - 5 medals for TWW - cool! This being my 3rd year,
I've definitely been getting faster - I got a 4th, a 4th, a 3rd, and then
a 2nd yesterday (5:08:something), and that got me a 2nd for the series which
I am VERY happy with! Last year, in the same class, I was lucky to place
half way through the pack! The guy I lost to yesterday had a time that was
fast enough to take first in Expert 25-34 - he beat me by 14 seconds (4:54:something)
- he's a fast mofo named Jonah who aced the rest of us for the whole series!
I've resolved that the Otter will be my last Sport race - which will make the rest of my year very tough - the 25-34 Experts are a bunch of freakin' maniacs, and those Tahoe-course Expert?Pro sections tend to be on the insane side. Next year it should be a little bit more lax (moving up to 35+), but I'll have Mike "Urbin-Legend" and the "Heim-lick Manouver" to contend with... Where was Jon yesterday anyway?
Shaney and I got some great pictures - some Jr. Expert studs catching big air at the table top, Eve at the finish line; Seery, Mike U, myself, and I think Nick at the podium; cool bikes strewn across the parking lot, and a few others.
Scott Schlachter
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