After the Maplelag Stage Race I did my own ’stage four’ on Monday with a reconnaissance tour of the Chequamegon 40 course. Ron joined in on the action in order to maintain what has become somewhat of a annual tradition. I don’t necessarily go to scout out the tricky sections, rather it’s more about regaining a connection with the race course. It’s nice to have some along time with trail before living out the racing action. It’s easy for the mind to switch into race mode while visualizing the race playing out. Doing the preride helps to meld a lot of preparations along with a great deal of mental energy. I ought to have a good combination going for Saturday…
a view from the cabin at WORS
While pedaling on a downhill I smashed my left pedal into a big rock about ten minutes into the race. The impact had me and the bike sailing through the air and off to the right of the trail with my left leg detached from the bike. I rode it out alright and ended up a couple feet off course and into the woods. It was a good scare and thankfully it wasn’t any worse. The leaders were riding off while I remounted and started the chase. Not more than 10 seconds later I realized that I was dragging a sizable stick from the derailleur which needed to be removed. Another stop cost me several more places. Now I was really back in action and chasing hard, but not crazy-hard. It didn’t take too much to get back to fifth after Chris-P flatted. From here I could not see anyone in front, nor any one behind me. Knowing that a battle was surely shaping up at the front end of the race I wasn’t super motivated to chase. Don called the race early and I called it a good training effort. I missed out on the head to head battling, but I suppose if the off days still yield a top five overall, things are going well enough. Most of the race I was daydreaming about the Chequamegon anyways… With some quick math it looks as if I’ve locked up a top 3 Elite finish for the ‘08 series. It’s been fun returning to the series that first got me hooked on this knobby-tired game.
See you at Main Street, -TJ
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