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.

Here’s his recap:

Friday and Saturday I was camping out and moumtain biking in Downieville, so much fun but came back early so I could race this crit. I almost didn’t make it, for some reason I had it in my head that my race was at 2pm. (Note from editor: Always prepare by knowing WHEN your race is!!!) I had a leisurely breakfast, hang out with the dog, around 10:30 I start thinking I better check where this race is… Oh Crap! It’s at 11:45! Threw my stuff in the car, dammit, need to change over to the cork pads real quick, hit every red light in the city between the Presidio and 101. C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, let’s go!

At 11:35 I was still a bit away and I was very close to saying screw it and just go to the beach. Got there at 11:45 and luckily they were running late. I had just enough time to throw on the kit, my girlfriend pins my number (all loose and
flappy) and I rolled up to the start just in time.

After that the race itself was pretty uneventful. A non-technical course, which is not my favorite thing. At the gun I went straight through the field to get up to 3rd wheel by corner 1. My legs felt real funky for the first few laps, a few days of using different muscles downhilling on the mt. bike, plus absolutely no warmup. I just hung out in the top 10, no serious attacks went. There was one crash, but I didn’t see at all. With 3 to go one of those really ugly sounding pile-ups
happened right next to me. They were all gone the next time we came around, so thankfully there were no broken bones.

At the bell lap I was sitting 3rd wheel and someone attacked hard. A surge came up
the right while the guys I was behind slowed a bit, I squeezed through a hole to get 4th wheel. On the backside two guys counter attacked, by then I was second wheel. The guy in front of me was loosing steam, so I came around him and closed in on one of the attackers. At the second to last corner I passed that guy, caught the final guy, upshifted and dove into the corner and out of the saddle. Looks like a looooong way to that blue tent, halfway there, chin in front of the stem, upshift one more time. Amazing, I’m going to get it. So stoked. Passed the line with a big smile.

Race: TNR
Field: 7 teams of 2 riders each
Events: 2 Madisons. First was 60 laps, second was 50 laps with sprints
every 10 in both races
Teammates: Brett (1st race) and in 2nd race we both had to change
partners. I rode with a former body builder with the nickname “The
Hulk”.
Placing: 5th in both events

First Madison was insane. The teams were a bit stacked and they
included the pairing of Sean Watkins and Mike McMan, who won Masters
Nat’s in the Madison last year. Shaun Wallace paired with Erick
Hollenbeck and the rest of the teams were somewhat even. I was having
a hard time getting my legs going and was suffering a bit in the
sprints. Brett right before the start took a spill, or more of a
tumble I should say. He got a nice gash on his forehead, but was okay
to race. About 20 laps into the race we missed a crucial split and
spent the next 25 laps chasing back on. With about 15 to go we decided
to get lapped and context some points that way as we were spending too
much energy and not closing more than 1/3 of a lap. We got some points
and managed to finish 5th.

Second madison was a bit less crazy but more aggresive when it came to
handling. My partner attacked on lap 3 and I quickly told him not to
do that again. He didn’t listen and attacked later on. We missed the
timing on our exchanges and I ended up having to sprint in them,
which was not a good idea as I didn’t have the snap. We did earn a few
points here and there, however the other teams were consistently
winning sprints.

Not sure why my form is so lacking after having some good recent
weeks. Could be a combination of having had a week off, stress of
being at work and recently getting diagnosed with acid reflux, which
seems to only come out during intense physical activity. I see lots
of Pepcid AC in my near future.

I believe Brett and his teammate won the 2nd Madison. He got to ride
with one of the National Champions.

Race: MTB race (hill climb)
Category: Expert (cat 1) 40+
Field: 16
Finish: 12th
Course: brutal

While in Steamboat Springs I rented a MTB (an excellent Rocky Mt. Altitude) and entered the local town challenge MTB race. This race happened to be a serious hill climb starting at 7000′ and proceeding
up to 9000′ over 4.5 miles. I was nervous and as it turns out rightfully so, I went off with the 40+ experts and for a small town there was a serious amount of fit competition, old mountain men.

At the start they drilled it, and I’m like WTF? Thankfully after about 1000 meters the pace settled down some so maybe the start was for show or adrenaline. I was just trying to stay with the group and
managed to make it about 1/2 way up when the double-tracked turned into single-track switch backs after that it was just finding my own pace.

3/4 the way up a women on a single-speed went by me ! Don’t mess with the locals!

After a seeming eternity (49.21 minutes) it was over and I was treated to 2000′ feet of single-track downhill, yea!