Arizona State XC Series Race #7 "Flagstaff Frenzy"

The Trails in Flagstaff are some of the best anywhere, or so I had heard. Our second to last race in the series found me at the base of Mt. Humphrey, the highest peak in Arizona. Since this venue is so distant from my house I was unable to preride the course. This always makes for an exciting race but also puts me at a slight disadvantage.


Temps were in the 70s under sunny skies, the starting grid was stacked with some really fast guys. Among them was my nearest rival "Mimmo" along with the regulars and some new faces too. Mimmo and I were going into this race at 1st and 2nd respectively in points (me in the lead) and I suspect neither of us had done the math to know just how important this race was. It didn't matter, we both were going to race as hard as possible just like we always do. My point is we were both visibly focused on winning and there was a "seriousness" on the start line that was not present at previous races.


The start of the race was fast, I got a decent start and held the Italian's wheel as we snaked feverishly through the mostly flat, dry, and extremely fast singletrack. There was a group of about 4 of us that battled for the lead as we took turns almost crashing in the dusty turns. I tried to stay as close as possible to get in the draft and avoid the large amounts of dust coming up from our treads. We were going at a really hard pace for me, I was drooling already and I knew I would not be able to hold this effort for long, but my plan was to hold onto my rival at all costs so that's what I did.


He was riding very well this day and there was a few other really fast Pro's at this one too. Before long the sandy singletrack pointed upward and we began to climb up an ancient lava flow. This was essentially a very technical, long ascent up a boulder field. Having spent all my coins trying to stay with the leaders I simply did not have the effort or trail familiarity to ride smoothly in this section and I watched helplessly as I fell back several places towards the back of the pack. It seemed like this section went on forever before we finally were spit out onto a steep dirt road. Heading for the sky I concentrated on drinking, I was out in the full sun at altitude and I could "sense" the fluids rapidly leaving my body. The dirt road went on forever and it did not level out at all. We climbed nearly 30 minutes and I began to see some of my rivals again as we neared the top.


This brought back some hope of a decent finish and I began to think about a new race strategy. Just then, as I was "just riding along", I experienced a devastating mechanical failure. I will not bore you with the details but my day was over.


Knowing anything was possible I decided to finish the race as long as I was able to pedal my bike.....and I was able to pedal, slowly and occasionally between frequent repairs. I actually was surprised the bike held together enough to finish the race and I was not too far back from the leaders considering how much time I spent stopped on the side of the trail. Of course I had finished in last place but I had finished and this was to be my last opportunity to gain points on my rival.


It was too bad I had to have bad luck at this one as Flagstaff has some ripping trails with phenomenal views, thick ponderosa forests, (the largest in the world), and real dirt.


Luckily for me Mimmo, who had led much of the race, imploded at some point as well and finished just off of the podium, keeping my hopes of a state championship title alive.


I have just one more week to prepare for the final/mandatory championship race in Williams, AZ on June 25th! I am hoping to go out in a blaze of ....some sort!

And let's not forget the post race/end of season party!

Prescott Punisher Arizona State XC Race #6

Prescott was host to the MBAA race #6, dubbed "The Prescott Punisher". This area has some really great riding. Sandy singletrack through Pine Forests. Large granite boulders, tree roots, elevation, views....I could go on and on. My point is I was pumped to return to this terrain even though my last race here did not go so well. Prescott has a cool vibe and this really cool brewery that I seem to get sucked into over and over.

My girl L.A. and I arrived extra early in order to do some volunteer work before the race got started. The weather was perfect, 70s, calm, sunny, and some of the bluest skies I have ever witnessed.

The morning went by quickly and as usual start time arrived before I was really ready for it. I had been able to ride a few sections of the course and had a vague idea of what I was in for. We were to do 5 laps so I had some time to learn the terrain during the race.

11a.m. arrived and we were off and racing! I grabbed a crappy start as we struggled through the gravely sand pit that was the start line. A quick parade lap around the start/finish zone and we were finally out into hardpack single track.

As the trail turned uphill I began to move forward and was shortly into 4th place or so as we climbed a moderate double track climb for the next several minutes.

We were going UP up UP and then it was finally time to start one of the many awesome downhills. The trail snaked quickly downward with huge bermed turns, some dips, and a super slickery gravel type consistency, very fast and very sketchy.












By the end of lap 1 I had moved into third and struggled to stay within reach of Mimmo and another rider.









The three of us rode within sight of each other for nearly an hour. All the while the gaps between us grew steadily. The course was very fast in most spots and pretty technical in others. Not like anything I had raced on yet. The first 10 minutes was really fast long ups and long downs, but the second half of the lap was very techy, tight, and twisty with shorter, power climbs. There were a couple big jumps on the downhills too so I was of course airing it out a couple times per lap :)


The BONTRAGER 29-2 tires have become my new "go to" tires for all conditions. They grip great on the loose stuff and still roll plenty fast on the hard stuff....I like em! Going to ride them every race for the rest of the season.

The TREK SUPERFLY was perfect for this course. 29 inch wheels gave me tons of grip on the loose surface and confidence on the downs. The superlight frame puts all my power into turning the wheels so I crest climbs faster and fresher.





Eventually by lap 5 I lost sight of everyone and rode in by myself. I had been pushing hard hoping to catch 2nd place somewhere but it just never happened.















Third place would have to do and I was not unhappy with that. I felt great, rode well, and for once would not have changed a thing about this race. It was a great day on the bike!

After the race we enjoyed the sunshine, people, and yes the brewery! Truly a day to remember.