2012 Pro XCT #1 Mellow Johnny's Classic Race Highlights

Here's a great highlight vid of the Mellow Johnny's Pro XCT Race by our good friend Steve Mace over at MTBMike.com

FSC #6 2011 - Markham Race Report & Photos

Eric coming down High Point

Look up Relentless in the dictionary and it will say: See Markham Park. Round #6 of the FSC brought riders to South Florida during a near perfect weekend. Race temperatures were in the 70's. A passing shower in the early morning gave the course plenty of grip. What Markham lacks in elevation compared to other FSC courses, it makes up with challenge after challenge without much chance for recovery. Even when you hit either of the 2 fire road sections, it's time to put the hammer down to keep away from any chasers. Throw in a 3/4 mile flat, mad dash "Parade Lap" into the trails at the start, and racers are going full out from start to finish.

Julio and a chaser

The XC3 30-39 class was the biggest I've ever seen. 58 racers lined up at the start!! With not much room for passing in the trails, it was going to be important to get in front early. The whistle went off and my second row start wasn't so smooth with a rider in the front row not being ready to go. I got around him quickly enough to see Julio and a bunch of about 20 pulling away. Because of the long start I knew I'd have a chance to chase back. Alex got knocked around a bit but managed to roll out right behind me. The parade start took us through the Finish line area where I was able to pick off about 10 riders just on the approach to the first corner and I'd creep by another handful riders as I squeezed through a gate that lead us into the trails. Unfortunately the last one was Julio, who I clipped into the gate, causing him to stumble for a second. Sorry buddy!! By the time we hit the first trail I was in the teens, with Julio and Alex not far behind. The first lap went well for me. No bad traffic or bottlenecks to deal with. Catching and passing riders at good moments and I was feeling good. Got passed just before the finish line and crossed in 12th after 1 lap. Julio and Alex had some troubles and were in the high 20s.

Alex through the trees

Lap 2 started out well and I didn't want to let up. I'd been passed but felt it was because I was snoozing on the flats a bit. I didn't let the rider get away and pushed hard to keep up. Combine that pushing with skipping a second bottle in the feed zone and I think I over cooked it a bit. When we hit the Gun Range section about half way through the lap I had to back off a bit. My back went tight and I lost power and felt cramps coming on when I'd try to stand up for power. I lost 4 spots in about 10 minutes through the climbing sections to riders that I had passed. I was annoyed. Once I hit the flatter trails I was able to stay sitting and push again. The finish was as exciting as it's ever been for me. Coming down the final flat stretch to the finish I was alone, but being chased by a stronger rider from another class, who was towing someone from my class. When they caught me I managed to pick up the speed a bit and disrupt the paceline so I wouldn't be a sitting duck. When we hit the final turn  it was a full on sprint to the finish!! I managed the inside line and held off my chaser into the finish area for 15th place. Best result of the season for me and by far the most fun finish. Julio and Alex would battle it out and gain a few spots on the 2nd lap and finished 23rd and 26th respectively. Our protege Eric Norris (Alex's old nephew) got his first taste of the podium finishing 5th in the novice class!

Victor Alber takes the Pro win
(Photo Courtesy of MTBMike.com)

The Pros went off  in the early wave and I didn't get to see the whole race, but the Super Cool Bike Shop guys ruled the day with Victor Alber putting in the fast lap of the day on lap 2 to finish 1st. Martin Cox then pulled away on lap 3 to get his gap for 2nd. Kevin Hoffman overcame a deficit on the first lap and chased back to finish 3rd. 

It was nice to have a little luck go my way after a few rough races. Definitely left a few spots on the trail, but I gave it all I had. Julio and Alex weren't too thrilled with their places, but the next race comes up quick to help them forget. We'll be at the 12 hours of Amelia this Sunday then at FSC #8 in Alva in 2 weeks. Thanks for following along, didn't get many pics this race, and we'll see you in Alva!

FSC #3 2011 - Gainesville Race Report & Photos

A view down into the quarry pit

Climbing in Florida? Most people wouldn't believe it. But that's exactly what Hailes Trails bring to the FSC every year. Carved out of an old rock quarry, the course brings almost 300 feet of climbing per lap in addition to some sweet XC singletrack to racers, and is only open twice a year. The combination makes it one of the most popular courses on the schedule and was the location of the 2011 FSC Race #3. 

Julio wouldn't make this event so Alex and I (Eric G) were representing along with our honorary teammate for the weekend Eric N (Alex's nephew) who would be racing in his first FSC event! The drives to the FSC events are always an adventure and this time was no different as we managed to pack 3 racers worth of gear into a Honda Fit (Think packed like a circus clown car) Saturday would host a Team Time Trial, (Congrats on Team Pro Tech for the victory)  but without Julio we didn't have enough riders, so we pre-rode the course for a few hours and showed our noob the ropes a bit. 

Keeping away from Ivy!

Sunday arrived and conditions couldn't be more perfect. High 60's and not a cloud in the sky present at race time. The XC3 class had it's biggest field of the season so far with 41 riders at the start. Alex and I didn't line up early enough and had to start from the 2nd row but still managed decent starts and were in the mid teens into the first single track. I proceeded to nearly endo on the first technical drop and Alex calmly averted disaster and passed me. I'd recover and quickly gain my spot back with a hard effort in the clearing to the next section (Sorry buddy) 

Now here's the kicker. That last description was a perfect example of the kind of luck I had all race! I butchered the first major climb when I took the alternate line and was derailed by another rider and had to push up half the climb. I'd gain some spots back, and dismount again in traffic. Gain a few spots...well, you get the point!! I was feeling great but Lady Luck just wasn't on my side this day. She finally had her last laugh when I had managed to fight back into 17th with a stronger 2nd lap and some nice tactics when, I dropped my chain on the 2nd to last climb!!! I'd lose THREE spots just getting the chain un-jammed from the cranks. I was so upset about the events that had just occurred that I almost allowed another rider to pass me on the final stretch. I managed to hold him off for 20th. Considering how good I was feeling this day, I was pretty disappointed. Unfortunately for Alex his day didn't go much better and had a DNF with a major drivetrain issue on the first lap. 

Only having started riding a few months ago, Eric N had a great taste of the excitement of XC racing. In the novice class he started like a bat out of hell and was first into the trails!! Lost a couple of spots early in his lap and was in 3rd for a bit. Then faded at the end to finish 7th. Top 10 in his first race, not too shabby! 

The Pro battle for 1st

The Pro class was exciting as always. It quickly became a race for 1st between Ryan Woodall and Victor Alber as the gapped the field early and never looked back. They'd stay together until the last lap when Woodall would get away for the win. The fight for 3rd was as exciting with Martin Cox and Allison Anjos in a similar battle, with Cox sneaking away for 3rd on the last lap. 

Anytime you can get out and race it's still fun, so even though our results didn't show it, we still had a great time.  The legs were really feeling good this weekend even though things didn't go well. Hopefully FSC #4 in Alafia will be the race we put things together for some results this season. Enjoy the pics below and thanks for following along with us! See you in Tampa in 2 weeks!!