NC Series Champ
Going into the final race I was leading the series by a few points. But, because today was double points the few points didn’t matter. I didn’t need to win, but I needed to come in front of Jason to take the series. If he beat me, he took the series.
Yesterday on my ride I felt something that I have not felt in a long time….fast. The snap was there and the legs felt good. But, it’s been a long season and the cooked factor is high. And, my shoestring training plan is highly questionable. I’m not even going to count how many races I’ve done this year, but every weekend since the beginning of March with mostly double dip weekends and a lot of mid-week races thrown in as well.
The course suited me. It was full-on crossy. I find that the harder the course the better I do and the faster the selections happen. We had a long steep run-up, sand section, fast double barrier and a grinder/run-up hill.
The start proved critical. I got the 1st call-up and rocked out the hole-shot. I could feel people next to me and hear some banging going into the 1st tight corner. Apparently Jason got caught up in the mix and Jeff said “Jason went down”…We immediately went to the front and took turns opening up a gap and created a selection of about 5-6 guys. I was blowing my self to pieces to make the selection stick and to open the gap on Jason, but every time I looked back I could see him closing. My fear was that I was going to blow and then he would catch back on and I’d have nothing to respond with. But, it had to be done and Jeff and I knew it. 4 laps or so to go and I looked back and Jason was gone. Apparently he went down in a corner. He’s a fighter so we kept the pace high. 3 laps to go I felt a sigh of relief as I knew the series was mine and the pressure of a result was gone. I didn’t care if I finished 5th in this group that I was in. 2 laps to go I went to the front and got to the steep run-up and ran hard and at the top hopped back on and dug and opened a gap on the 4 guys. I had no intention of attacking, but apparently the acceleration at the top was enough to open a gap. Damn… now I have to race again. I went as deep as I could go and kept the gap…1 to go and I kept the pace hot and rolled through with the hands up. I couldn’t have asked for a better race.
This NC season has been awesome. It is up there with the most fun I’ve ever had racing cross. The series wasn’t won because of perfect attendance. Every race the top 5 guys were there battling it out and it was a tactical show-down to see who would make a mistake….apparently I made the least.
I need to give a shout-out to Tim and the crew for an awesome series. I’ve race all over and the series is top-notch. If you want to race a great race and meet a great group of people, come to NC. A big thanks to the NC cross scene for letting me into the scene and making this move to NC fun. The first race I was bummed because I didn’t know anyone and by the last race I had met a ton of great people. Thanks guys.
Now it’s time for a break and for Chick Wah to come into this world. It’s been a long season and a break from the bike and racing is in order. Every year I plan on taking a month off, but it never happens. The pull of the bike is too strong. And, with temps in the 70s this week it will be hard not to get out. But, I’ll try.
As we all know, the season never ends for some of us… NC winter cross series starts in January..
Wah
