Landmine Classic- Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA

Also the GT Golden Bike race series final

So turns out that a little rain here in Maine doesn’t always mean a little rain in MA (south shore Boston to be exact). Also turns out you forget what a course or race is like after three or four years of not racing it.

It was my stupidity that had me worrying for twenty four of the twenty-five mile (one lap) race (more about my worrying later). I wasn’t worried about myself or my equipment; I was more worried about Hattie. See this was Hattie’s first mountain bike race and she has only been mountain biking for about three weeks. The last time I raced the Landmine was back in 2005 and I remember it being really fast and somewhat wide opened. I figured it would be a great course for Hattie’s first mtn bike race. When it rained a little at our house I told Hattie it wouldn’t affect the course much because it has been so dry lately and it didn’t rain much. Well turns out I was wrong, very wrong on both accounts.

The course was extremely demanding, physically and mentally. Tons of rocks, roots and rock gardens covered the race course. Also I think it rained a few inches down in MA on Saturday as there were standing puddles of water over a foot deep that we were required to navigate. I was having a blast, blowing through huge puddles and using the advantage of my big wheels in the rock gardens to roll over any obstacle that might get in my way. Well my big wheels are longer much of an advantage as it seems most of the pro’s in New England have caught onto the 29 wheels concept. Check out the bike status of the pro men’s race- 1^st place Fisher Superfly, 2^nd Fisher Hi-Fi29, 3^rd Fisher Superfly, 5^th 29’er, 6^th Superfly 7^th 96’er (kind of counts).

Ok enough rambling, back to why I was worrying for most of the race. Cat 1,2 and Pro did a one lap 25mile race while the Cat 3’s did an 11mile lap. All categories raced the same first 8 miles than the Cat 3’s took a short cut and got back onto course around mile 24 or so. While I was riding away I was thinking “oh my god Hattie is going to die on this stuff! I never told her what the down ward arrows mean! I have to stop and go get her!!” I tried not to let it get to me and focus on the race at hand. During my race I was playing cat and mouse with 29’er Crew teammate John Foley as we tried to real in 1^st and 2^nd place. John was doing better in the technical sections thanks to his Hi-Fi 29’er and I was excelling on the climbs and open sections. For a short time my roommate John Burns was riding with us. Somewhere after the 2^nd feed zone (around mile 12) Burns fell off the pace, but never got to far back. Burns would hold on and finish strong in 5^th place not far back. It was way fun racing with a teammate; you always find more strength within yourself when racing with someone else. Around mile 23-24 I put a gap on Foley during a climb. I thought I could hold Foley until the finish line, and I was. I saw Hattie ripping it up right around the 24 mile marker! What a relief, now I could race full throttle to the finish line. As I crossed the last wet bridge about 250meters before the finish line I spun out! I simply started pedaling three feet two early. As my rear wheel spun out I had to quickly unclip and dab as my bike went sideways. Just as this happened Foley snuck by me! There was nothing I could do as we took the final 180 turn into the finish line. I thought we were racing for 3^rd and 4^th, but actually we were racing for 2^nd and 3^rd. Seamus (who was in 2^nd) missed a turn. Not sure how that happened as the promoters put up over 800 arrows (yup that’s right over 800 arrows to mark a 25 mile loop) and painted arrows on the ground???

Immediately after finishing the race I headed back on course to cheer Hattie on. I also wanted to warn her of the wicked wet bridge right before the finish line. Hattie was in one piece and no blood!! After the race the two of us shared stories of the race. I told Hattie how worried I was and she explained how she took a bad endo’. After sharing stories and eating some food we hit up one of the ponds with Burns to clean up. On our way home from the race we hit up Chipotle in Portsmouth. Let’s just say it didn’t take long for either of us to down a 1+ lb chicken burrito!!

After it is all said and done the race was a blast! Rad course, great result, and Hattie’s first race is in the books! I must say I don’t have the same physical fitness as I did back in June, July or August. I guess taking a few weeks off from any structured work out will do that to you. Right now I am all about riding, not intervals or sprints etc… If I want to ride fast up a hill I will, if I want to take it easy I will. Up next is the Bradbury 12 Hour on the 19^th to finish off the season! After that a bunch of working and hopefully a bunch of fall mountain biking!! I hope everyone else is able to get out and enjoy the best time of year to ride…

(from www.andrewfreye.com )

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