FIRECRACKER 07

This would have to be the designated home course for us. Located at the Black Rock Mountain Bike Park 25 miles west of Salem, the Firecracker has been lighting up the Oregon XC Series for several years. It usually takes place around 4th of July (hence the name), but was scheduled earlier in 2007. Unfortunately, the rains came rendering the course a slick mess. Erik Tonkin (Kona) and Ross Schnell (Trek VW) set the early pace, but I was able to close each time down the hill. Fortunately for me there was a steep uphill singletrack which I was able to ride every lap thanks to my Spark and Kenda tires. Even though I was still a little weary, I held on and passed Schnell with about a mile to go. After winning here the last two seasons, I had to settle for second place. Tonkin is so tough in these conditions it was almost like a win, though!