NE SSSC

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It was state championship time in Nebraska this weekend which meant dropping back to the singlespeed class in pursuit of a second championship.  After three years at a very singlespeed friendly venue this seasons event was moved to the steepest venue we have, Ponca State Park, just over the river from Sioux City, IA.

Startline conversations revolved around gearing.  With the course 2 hours north of Omaha everyone was a little in the dark.  I figured 36×21 would do the trick but I was uneasy considering It had been two years since I’d ridden Ponca and that was with gears.

The whistle blew and we were off, chasing the experts one minute adrift.  As we peeled off the pavement and onto the singletrack I was third wheel, two back from where I wanted.  With the course starting on a technical switchback descent I was sidelined with following the front two and staying calm.  I got my chance to take the lead by the bottom when Josh and Eric missed a turn.  I settled in for the next stepped climb with Clark and Troy on my tail.  The climbs where brutal as we were forced to grind through each pitch with little chance to regain momentum in between.

 I began to throw slight surges to test those that were on my tail.  Clark’s breathing was sounding a little strained and as we got to the steepest pitches of the loop his chain started to skip.  The action was obviously heating up behind as Josh had recovered from his missed turn and was hunting me down.  My climbing legs were definitely not with me as I struggled to maintain the gap and it was apparent that I either A) needed an easier gear, B) needed to lose about 15 pounds or C) should have stopped drinking beer and gone to bed earlier.  Regardless, as I crossed the line for lap one I was glad to see the entrance to the singletrack descent.  My XT brakes were on point as I was able to late brake every switchback and triple my gap by the bottom.  From here on it was all about loss/gain.  Luckily, my descending advantage outweighed my climbing losses.

 I rolled across the line two laps later with a 1:15 gap and State Championship in hand.  I have to give big props to Josh Beasley and Clark Dolton.  They both rode amazing races and kept me honest start to finish.