Bake Shop

It was a sloppy one. Jacob and I headed up to Webster City around 7:30 and kept eyeing the sky the whole time. We were both hoping the rain had stopped and it'd be a little tacky but not muddy at the course. The highlight of the ride up was seeing some dude getting a field sobriety test along I 35 at 8:30 in the morning. That's when you know you had a rough night.

The race course at Kendall Young park is a mixed bag. 1/2 of it is in the park area on grass and gravel roads and the other 1/2 is all single track. The single track is only about 2 miles but it's a really fun 2 miles so I won't knock it. For what they have to work with up there they've done a great job. Getting lined up to race I was feeling alright. I wasn't too sore from Thursday night and the legs felt good. During the pre ride the course was slightly muddy but we were sure it'd dry out quickly after a lap or two.

As usual I made the mistake of not getting with the group I needed to off the start and started about 3/4 back in the pack. I got by a couple guys and settled in between Ian Davis and Ron Degeest. Ron's a good rider but usually I can outlast him. He's just better on short distances. Eventually Ian and I passed Ron and struck out on our own. We stayed like this until about lap 2 when the sky's opened back up. Once the rain hit my tires had no traction, I had the wrong set on today. I struggled thru and stayed in front of Ian until I went AWOL on a decent. I was sliding the whole way and couldn't change direction and went right off into the weeds. I grabbed a tree and saved myself from going too far.

Shortly after this my drivetrain started sticking and Ian (on his single speed) was able to drop me. I kept pushing but eventually middle ring was out and I put it out on the big ring hoping the extra clearance would shed mud better. This was alright as there were only 3 spots I'd have to hike a bike. I gotta give props to the trails at Center for prepping my technical skills. Riding down there and riding with better riders has helped me improve my handling and it made a world of difference yesterday. Even though it was slick I was still able to ride with confidence and stay upright.

With 1 lap to go I saw that I had gotten closer to Mike Lebeda and another guy (I don't know his name). I started pushing my pace and thought I'd see what I could do. Finally at the last big climb I had caught them, Knowing I'd have to run up it I knew I would lose them if they were able to ride. Luckily they had to jump off too so it was a foot race to the top. I stayed close and once we hit the open grass area after that I was right on their wheels and decided to make a move. I passed em both and tried to stay on it. I knew if I could make it back to the park area I'd have a fighting chance. If my chain sucked up again I knew they get by me. I kept on it and had gotten a little gap by the time we reached the spillway. This is the divider between the single track area and the park. There was about 5 inches of water going over and I was looking forward to it helping me clean out some mud so I can get on it thru the park. I flew thru the water and then took off when we hit the park. I hit it as hard as I could on the gravel double track section and figured this would be my last chance to gap them. Once back on the grass I checked and I had gotten enough to hold them off till the finish.

Jacob had an awesome race and was 5th.. Dude keeps on moving up the results every race.

I need a bath.



My bike needs a bath.



Here are the official results:

1-Dominic Moraniec-Atlas/Core Fitness-Open-41-1.08.15
2-Todd Gillihan-Team Skin-SS-42-1.09.15
3-Jubil Young-Open-23-1.11.38
4-Steven Reynolds-35+-37-1.12.09
5-Jacob Naumann-Rasmussen Bike Shop-Open-32-1.13.27
6-Scott Murphy-Atlas/Core Fitness-Open-27-1.15.14
7-Chuck Hilsenbeck-Irwin's/Toyota-Open-34-1.16.04
8-Jason Plunkett-Rasmussen Bike Shop-Open-34-1.16.37
9-Brad Patty-MBWC/Team 14-45+-45-1.16.49
10-Greg Moore-Irwin's/Toyota-35+-40-1.17.40
11-Bruce Reese-Irwin's/Toyota-SS-33-1.18.08
12-Kurt Hantelmann-Rasmussen Bike Shop-35+-39-1.19.01
13-Kory Hill-Nebraska Cycling-35+-39-1.19.03
14-Brian Farrell-MBWC/Team 14-35+-39-1.19.06
15-Rob Gartin-Irwin's/Toyota-Open-31-1.20.01
16-Brian Benson-Rasmussen Bike Shop-35+-39-1.20.06
17-Taylor Webb-Irwin's/Toyota-Open-25-1.22.33
18-Jamie Jorgensen-Team Skin-35+-39-1.24.09
19-Aaron Bieker-MBWC/Team 14-Open-19-1.26.04
20-Mathew Piepel-Open-29-1.26.12
21-Ian Davis-Irwin's/Toyota-SS-35-1.27.01
22-Mike Baker-Rasmussen Bike Shop-Open-30-1.27.50
23-Mike Lebeda-Irwin's/Toyota-35+-37-1.28.05
24-Sterling Hiese-Rasmussen Bike Shop-35+-43-1.28.14
25-Jeff Farrell-MBWC/Team 14-35+-44-1.28.38
26-Bruce Brown-45+-45-1.28.55
27-Ron DeGeest-Irwin's/Toyota-35+-39-1 lap down
28-Joe Pepples-Open-34-DNF
29-Brian DePenning-MBWC/Team 14-45+-49-DNF
30-Scott Sumpter-BikeIowa-35+-38-DNF
31-Bill Keller-Open-26-DNF
32-Christopher Hansen-MBWC/Team 14-Open-23-DNF