Howell Mountain Challenge XC – 3rd Place Elite Cat 1

He’s a Category 3 by road, Cat 1 by dirt…Antonio Ricalde recaps his recent fight for 3rd place at the Howell Mt. Challenge XC race.

Date: 8/9/2009
Race: Howell Mountain Challenge XC
Class: Cat 1
Distance: 30 miles and 3,200+ feet of climbing
Place: 3rd

Well, I was looking forward for this race since April after I finished “Napa Dirt Classic” which is held in the same location and similar course but shorter distance. When I raced Napa Dirt Classic I was just getting back on the bike after been away for almost 5 months, and the result was awful. I finished almost in last place. I suffered the whole course and even walk my bike in some climbs. That was why I was thirsty for revenge with myself and wanted so bad to do good at Howell Mountain Challenge.

The race started at 10:30 am at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, was hot already; fortunately the course is 80% under shade so that makes it a bit easier. All Cat 1’s 19-34 and 35-45 started together. I had a bad start, I was on the front line but I couldn’t clip in fast and instantly my gears start to fail. Finally I got into a gear that was working right and I was able to pass about half of the field before a short single track. This was follow for half a mile of fire road before a really steep hike a bike. I pushed really hard in all that section and passed another quarter of the field. After I mount back my bike there was a long flat section on fire road, I was on my red line just trying to get back my breath and swallowing the dust that I ate at the start. A couple guys passed me at a good speed and immediately I jumped on their wheel until we got to a technical long single track. I stayed on these guys wheels for about 20 minutes, but I was really paying for the big effort I did at the start. I had to set up on my own rhythm and let them go. When I started the second lap I was in about 8th place, I was feeling better, I took a gel shot a big drink and thought that the race was far from getting over and that if I pushed harder I could get back on the fight. I was by myself for
about other 30 minutes trying to have a fast pace.

Finally when I got to the monster climb, about 22% gradient, I saw a line of racers most of them walking their bikes up hill. I just down shifted to my small ring and focus on riding up my bike without stopping. With just staying on my bike I started to pass one by one even though I had to take the loose and rocky section of the climb. A couple guys that I know were surprise when I caught them back and just said “Antooonio”. I was super motivated, my heart rate was through the roof but I continue pushing hard and not looking back. The climb became less steep and I moved onto my big ring inspired (LOL). I started the last lap on 3rd position and I stay there until the end of the race, just suffering and hoping that any rider weren’t behind me. Was a looong last lap.