Last Saturday I put on a underground race from the highest peak in Orange County, which ended at Cooks Corner, a biker bar at the base of the mountain. It was a mass start race that took about 40min for the front guys and had a few climbs and lots of pedaling on the way down.
The fun began with everyone having to pedal to the top for the start. I gave everyone 2.5 hours to make it up, more than enough time as it usually takes me under 90min to get up there. So everyone took their time and enjoyed an easy, casual pace. Near the top we had about 15 min of snow to deal with, most of that having to be walked as it was too deep. After we got to the south facing hillside the snow had all been melted, so it was a clear start. Starting with about 2-3 min of flat fireroad really hurt everyone before dropping into the first technical bit of single track that lasts for about 10-15 min. I was leading going into this, but after only about a min I got a rear flat. I ended up fixing it pretty quick, but I was now in almost last place. The only few guys behind me were Richie Schley, who flatted in the first 30 seconds of the start and my DR Sten Kramer, who also flatted shortly after Richie.
So I started charging down the single track to try and salvage the race and quickly started coming up on riders. Difficult to pass even when riders would pull off because of how narrow the trail is, I came up on Joe from the Bike Co. He tried to pull over and let me pass, but didn't get all the way off the trail. I hit his rear wheel and crashed off the side, losing me even more time. Eventually I got going again, began passing more riders and then came the first big climb. About a 4-6min climb and that is when I realized my remote to my adjustable post was broke and my seat was stuck in the middle height. I struggled on the climb, but still managed to pass a few more riders here.
Now it was double track for a while. Some OK places to pass, a lot of pedaling, and even a couple more uphills. I passed quite a few more riders here before entering the last 4 min section of tech single track. At this point I had not idea where I was in the race, but with one last short climb before the finis I could spot one more rider ahead. Unfortunately there wasn't enough time left to catch him, but coming in less than a minute behind him put me in third and only about 60-75seconds behind the winner.
The finish was at the Biker bar, Cooks Corner, hence the name, "Biker Bar Bonsai".
Everyone had a great time and was surprised how bad it hurt. I was hurting myself and pretty happy to come back from a flat and crash to be so close to the leaders.
Go Pro supplied me with 10 cameras to put on random racers, so soon we will have a short movie of the race on the site.
Have to thank all the RADS for coming and also those non-RADS for showing up. My wife Paula and Leigh Donovan for helping with sign ups and getting the food and beer for all of us. Also have to thank Go Pro for the camera's and the one give away, KS adjustable posts for giving a post away, and Oakley for giving away tons of prizes as well.
Hopefully this will be an annual event and everyone will be looking forward to 2010!!!