Report from the Ridge

“What a beautiful day to race a bike.” I doubt anyone said that yesterday at the Jeff Cup. More power to those who suited up and went to work in such dismal conditions. What a difference 24 hours makes cause the day before was just about perfect.

Originally, 9 people signed up in the Sport class but one bailed before the start. To be honest it almost felt like a Brownie Crit since most of the field were people from town. Fenton took the top step, James Wittwer took third. David from the Bike Factory took second. My plan for the day was to sit on the wheel of Jason Hiser and then out sprint him for the win. Things were going well up the first climb but the Bear Hole took its toll.

I think I just missed a shift or was in the wrong gear but whatever I did cost me a couple of places as I got hung up and had to dismount and click back in. So, the first 5 of my group were just up the hill and I was right on pace. I figured that I would be able to catch up on the flat after the downhill but I was too cautious on the descent and they slipped out of view. I followed Michelle Co down the hill but she pulled away up the steep gully.

I’m all alone at this point so I just focus on my second goal which is to break the 2 hour barrier. I was feeling ok on the first lap. Better then I had at the pre-ride so I took this as a good sign. I was hydrating well too. I feel like I became much more confident on the second descent and by the time I got to the grassy chute I was flying round those super fun sweepers.

I went through the first check at 1:01. Dang. 60 seconds off my mark. I know I had some ground to cover but I only needed to make up a little bit of time so I was cautious not to use up everything on the first climb. I had to walk a couple of pitches cause I just didn’t have the strength to power threw like on the first lap. I knew this would cost me some time and tried to push the pace. I felt like I went down the first descent faster the second time but I can’t be sure since I didn’t have a computer with me.

I had to dismount a couple more times on the second lap and that’s what cost me from breaking the 2 hour mark. I was bummed when I saw the clock at the end but I felt like I had given all I had. I knew where I made mistakes and will try to avoid them next time. Hopefully, the Blue Ridge School will run this race again in the fall so I can come back and have another go.

Next up, the Dragon’s Back.