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!

I needed to take a business trip to Wisconsin in May, so I scheduled it around attending this event in Minnesota. What a great venue and super cool folks! Maplelag is an XC ski resort several hours northwest of the twin cities. Jay Richards and his family took it upon themselves to provide key UCI points for local racers–super expensive but so generous! The trails are super tight, technical singletrack that definitely left no time for rest. Unfortunately, I was a little tired from all my racing and travels, so even the first ride on my Scott Spark didn’t help me go much faster. I had to settle for 5th on the day, but it was some of the best times I have had racing for awhile. Nothing like a sunny spring day and a cool bike ride!

Part of the Oregon Series and also the OBRA State Championship. This race has been going on for many years (as long as I have been racing) and always basically the same course. This year, the promoters changed things up and we raced the opposite direction. This allowed a much longer singletrack finish which did not disappoint. With many miles of climbing to start, I chose my full rigid 69er Scale. This bike is superfly, sports a 1×9 drivetrain and weighs just 17lbs. Inspired by the spoils and my poor performance last week, I attacked after a few miles and opened a 4 minute lead by the finish regaining the State title!

Second race of the Oregon Series near Mt Hood. Great course and super tech so I rode the Ransom here. Ben Thompson (Bend Elite) and Erik Tonkin (Kona) put the smack down at the start and I struggled to hold their wheels. Got dropped so just rode it it to finish 3rd on the day. Figured out the next day that my cleats were not in my shoes properly which could have been the cause for slow riding. Guess thats what I get for changing shoes/pedals the day before a race…

This was one of the first races I ever competed in. Way back in 1995 I raced the ‘Slinger at age 18. It was muddy that day, too. I remember my Bullseye “sealed” derailleur pulley quit turning that day. 12 years later the venue has moved on but the vibe is the same. Mud, climb, gravel, muck, climb, roots, gravel, bog, climb… I got the holeshot and stayed out front for more than a lap. Erik Tonkin (Kona) again put in some real hard riding to bridge and then open a 30 second gap. As we descended toward the finish, I was able to cut the margin and finally make contact in the last singletrack. I let Erik pull the last two miles on the road (it only seemed fair for the defending champ to do the work) before slipping by at the finish. My first ever Mudslinger victory! I am stoked and to have raced hard to the end with one of the best all around riders the race has ever known was icing on top!

Our wedding anniversary–seven years and I was racing today… Thanks Caroll! After torrential rain storms on Saturday the sun was out and the wind was rippin’. For whatever reason, the officials called me up around ~90th out of 112 starters. What’s up with that? Anyway, it was the usual start with a complete standstill leaving Laguna Seca. Then of course there was the realization that the leaders were now minutes ahead with miles of singletrack to NOT catch up on. I was feeling great for this time of year and moving up quickly when my usual Sea Otter luck began. First, it was my water bottle bouncing away on a rough descent before I had a single drink. Then, about 20 minutes in my chain bounced off. 30 seconds later I was riding again but now I was behind everyone I had just passed and in the tightest sections of single track. A half lap later I was finally back to my position pre-chain drop. If I sound negative or like I am whining–sorry. I was really riding well and it was just a little bitter to have some bad luck. Anyway, I battled all day and ended up 29th, finally achieving my three year goal of finishing in the top 30. Mission accomplished, but I am left wondering what might have been…