TwoWheeledWorld

Keystone, CO

Keystone is always a sentimental race for me. It marks the final race in arguably the most prestigious off-road racing series in the region, if not the country. It's a time to let it all hang out- to dig deep and leave NOTHING out there. It's also a time to say goodbye to the competition for a long winter.

Saturday's short track was an off-road circuit race, with each lap taking about 3 minutes. The Pro/SemiPro field kicked it off at 3pm and raced for 20 minutes, plus 3 laps. My goal was to leave something in the tank for Sunday's big cross country race, which is much more my cup-o-tea, but to finish in a respectable position nonetheless. So, asfastasyoucanpossiblygoforahalfhour and I ended up a decent 9th place. Mission accomplished.

Sunday's Cross Country:

Hoping to be recovered enough for a big showing following Saturday, the SemiPro field took off Sunday morning at 9:35am for a smorgasborg of high altitude Keystone singletrack and fireroad climbs and trecharous decents. I was pleased to find the legs firing on all eight cylinders early on in the race and I paced myself with the lead group through the first 45 minutes. By the top of the main climb I was sitting in a solid 6th or so place going into the descent and next climb. Atop the 11,640ft Dercum Mountain, we headed into a grueling top-to-bottom descent which would test both rider and bike.

Turning uphill once more for the final climb, it was time to go. I dug as deep as my nearly-spent legs would allow, rose out of the saddle and attacked; standing up to pedal as hard as I could for 30 seconds. I'd opened up a 75 yard gap and by this time was in 3rd place. I attacked once more towards the top and stretched the gap to 100 yards.

Into the final decent I left nothing to chance and stomped on the pedals as the trail turned steep and rocky. At the time, I didn't know it but I'd caught 2nd place and in a desparate fit of aggression passed him on a steep and grassy turn a half-mile from the finish. Telling myself not to do anything STUPID like crash I raced downhill as fast as my wits would allow and crossed the line..........to what is now my best cross-country finish ever: 2nd place, SemiPro. Less than 40 seconds from 1st place. That's the real deal.

I'd hoped to end the season on a positive note, but this one far exceeded my expectations. Once more, on the podium; and once more, in the money. 2007: dream season.

I'll have some pics from Sunday's XC and some final thoughts on the 2007 season in the next couple days. This weekend, we're off to Steamboat Springs for........anOTHER wedding, and some riding (but of course).

Cheers, laddies~