I recently heard a rumor that 29ers are sluggish in tight single track. Slow to react and tough to maneuver through the intestines of a course. If the Darkness and I had a chance to put the back fence talk to rest it was today. The venue was a bit off the beaten path but due to a friends wedding we linked up an action packed weekend of dancing and racing. Enter the Sylvan Island Stampede in Moline, Illinois. A foot bridge separates this technical but fast course from the main land and boasts miles of single-track when linked properly. We decided to get our moneys worth and enter the expert class on our singles as we so often do which proved to be a smooth move as we worked the whole shot aside a mercy/specialized rider. I was second into the track as Marko trailed in fourth. I noticed a couple bobbles by the lead rider so I took the initiative on the right and muscled a pass. The season opener adrenalin  kicked in as I quickly gapped the passed rider and disappeared up trail. In the meantime Marko appeared to be making quick work of the chasers as I caught glimpses of the action while switch-backing the course. It wasn’t long before the Darkness and I regrouped and went to work which created a two minute gap by lap two. We continued to roll our pink and blue steeds further and further up trail as the race neared completion. With both of us running into front brake issues I attacked Marko with 1.5 laps to go. It’s not that gratifying to attack your own brother but I have to take advantage while I can as he’ll only get stronger as the season progresses. Fending off arm cramps, yes rigid arm cramps I held Marko off by 30 seconds for my first win of 2008. Overall, the event was great. The bikes practically rode themselves and the teamwork was enough to make a mother cry. We’ll be busy practicing our bikes over the next two weeks but then it’s back to killing dreams at Rock Cut.

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