Today was the opening race for the Ohio State Championship Series. I was excited going into this one as I have been on the bike often doing all the right things recently, and Mohican Wilderness is among my favorite courses.
Temps were in the high 40's and the trails were mostly dry. Last fall's leaves had been blown free only hours before the race leaving a slow but traction rich trail to race on.
I grabbed another pretty good start and was about to enter the trail in 3rd when the riders ahead tangled and fell blocking the entire trail. Racers scattered everywhere running and riding around the mess up front and relegating me to mid pack.
By the end of the first of three 10 mile laps I had moved forward to 4th place with 2 guys pretty close behind me. I was not feeling my best, as though my legs were not putting out the power I was asking of them.
Lap 2 had me running scared and feeling a bit better than the first. 5th place began to gain on me up the climbs. The climbing here is brutal, steeper and longer than any other Ohio course. My legs were starting to fatigue and I was looking forward to the end of this one. The top 3 were out of view as I began my final lap.
Lucky for me my chasers tired before I did and my final lap was just a matter of getting to the keg of Dortmunder at the finish as fast as possible. No pressure from the other racers and the traffic on the trail was thinning out. I came across the line in 2hrs 14 mins to claim 4th in the skinny young guy class.
4th place is not bad but the top 3 finished a little too far ahead for comfort. Lucky for me the season is early and I have a plan!
One of the best parts of racing for me is the social scene after the race and this one was no disappointment. I saw some folks I had not seen in a very long time and met some newer racers who I expect to be future friends....and as usual, I was among the last racers to leave the venue. Good times!
Thanks Al Prososki for the photos!
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