Yesterday was race #5 in the Campmor H2H series, The Bulldog Romp, put on by the fine fellows of Team Bulldog. In addition to being part of our regional series it was also the NJ State Championships and last chance qualifier for Nationals at Mount Snow, so needless to say, there was no pressure;)
First off, I need to say what a great job the guys and gals of Team Bulldog did putting on this event. The course was AWESOME!! I must’ve ridden this place 100 times over the years and they still managed to somehow loop together a race course that made the place seem completely new, great job!!
Secondly, all the racers and organizers can thank me and my super-ability to control the weather. On Saturday we got hit with a horrible thunderstorm, the weather dude called for more of the same for race-day. Not willing to chance it, I slapped my Bonty ACX’s on and prepped my bike for rain, mud, and mass-hysteria. Wouldn’t it figure that Sunday would not only be sunny and perfect out, the course was also completely dry and ridiculously fast. I’m not sure how I was blessed with my uncanny ability to control mother nature through my tire choices, but as they say, with great power, comes great responsibility.
My morning once again started by carpooling with NigNug and Frenchie, trying to do our part keepin’ it green. We bumped our super race prep playlist mixed by yours truly, featuring some elegant and insightful music by such classic artists as “Waking the Cadavor” and “DMX“. Shenanigans ensued, Dunkin Donuts was left annihilated, and much Red Bull was consumed. The rack full of Fishers on the roof of Frenchies Subaru had us discussing spray-painting his car teal and scribbling logos all over it to match the Fisher Pro team’s ill ride. We also decided that someone needs a Superfly and someone else needs a Ferrous so we can rep all three frame materials.
My race itself had it’s share of ups and downs. I got a good pre-ride in and felt good at the line. I decided NOT to go for the holeshot even though most of the guys around me expected it. There was a long grass section off the start and the pace was quick, I sat in around mid-pack going into the woods. Lap one I kinda just rode tempo, picking people off when I got to them, after my last DNF I re-focused on just getting a top-ten finish. Lap two was more of the same, except I realized I was closer to the front now and I picked the pace up to aim for a possible podium. Coming into lap three I still felt strong and was pulling myself into a good position. People seemed to be dropping like flies with mechanicals and I took advantage, until my karma caught up with me. After a rolling downhill there was a short little climb. I stood to hammer it, and had no resistance on my pedals, I dropped my chain, I stopped to put it back on. I didn’t drop my chain, I snapped my chain off my bike! I ran back up the downhill looking for it and eventually found it in some bushes, of course I don’t race with tools in my pocket, so I stuffed it in my jersey and scootered my bike out of the woods. At first I was so frustrated I was almost in tears. Fortunately, that didn’t last long, I’m optimistic enough to believe my luck will be there when I need it most. I keep thinking of Adam Craig’s luck in “Off-Road to Athens” and how he was just super-chill despite it all, I try hard to keep that same attitude. If breaking a chain during a mountain bike race is the worse thing that happens in my life, I’m way ahead of the game in my book.
I walked out to watch the finish of the race and cheer my class on from the sideline. Juan Munster once again took the win in my class and was the first dude out of the woods, followed by a guy who’s name I keep forgetting. Third dude out of the woods was the first place Open single-speeder and now NJ State Champion Roger Foco, riding a nearly bone-stock Gary Fisher Rig!! Another amazing feat was the 5th or 6th guy out of the woods was local hero Harlan Price, he nearly lapped the entire Expert field!! Yet another great feat was done in the Sport race, my co-worker and carpool pal, Chris DeNoma AKA: “NigNug”, won his race and a NJ State Championship title, and guess what? He was riding a Gary Fisher Rig as well!! Damn Son!! Can Fisher be stopped?!?!
I spent this morning trying to regain some focus and took my two boys out hiking for a few hours. Then, this afternoon I repaired my bike and went out for a spin by myself over at my local stomping grounds, Chimney Rock. It was nice to just relax and get back to what got me into mountain biking in the first place. The Highbridge Park All-City race in NYC is this weekend, it’s not part of the series, so I’m just going out to have some fun and see what happens.
See you out on the trails!!
-Jim.
