Pando XC Sunday September 28, 2008

This Sunday marks the final race of the MMBA CPS series. Pando ski area near Grand Rapids, Michigan is a great venue for this series finale. The laps are short (4.3 miles) with plenty of climbing. September conditions here in Michigan couldn't be better. Note to self, 4 laps.
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It was another great day for a race. I'm a bit sad the season has drawn to a conclusion. At the start of my race we were all informed there would be 5 laps for my class. Cool. The trail has a good amount of steep terrain packed into a small area. I had a good outing, crashed only once and finished 3rd. RESULTS.


The view up the hill:

The view from the "lodge":

"Sleeveless Dan (again) charging the hill:

Addison Oaks XC

Sunday September 21 marked the 7th race of the 8 race MMBA CPS series. Addison Oaks county park in Oakland county Michigan is the former summer retreat for the Henry Ford family. The trail is 7 miles in length and is a great trail that just keeps getting better each year. It has great features and flow which makes for very fast lap times averaging 30 minutes or so. This annual race has always been hosted by Oakland county parks and this year it has been handed over to the local chapter of the MMBA to become a fundraiser event. Because of this several aspects of the event were changed, specifically the singlespeed format. I had it in my head we were doing 3 laps just like the Sport class. My bad. I turned 3 decent laps and headed to the finish chute. Peeled my timing chip off and tossed it in the bin. As I looked around the finish area it dawned on me what I had just done and my chip was long gone. The one time when the Singlespeed class actually rides the same distance as the Expert riders and I blew it. Cie la vie. It was a great day for a race and the team had a great outing. RESULTS.
"Sleeveless Dan"

Stoney Creek USAC XC

I woke up today to the sound of much-needed rain. It was still early and my start time was at 1pm so I rolled over and buried my head in my pillow for a few more minutes. The radar showed clearing weather to the West and I could dismiss the notion of a sloggy race. Today was the 8Th and final race of the Michigan USAC XC Series. I wasn't taking part in the series but felt this would be a great event to take part in. Stoney never disappoints me. The Elite and Expert riders were still out on the course when I arrived. The sun was out and the trail was getting drier.

Smokin' fast teammate Jeff Wittbrodt on his way to another win!

My race went well although it was another 7Th place finish in the Open Singlespeed class. The dudes in my group are just plain fast. A couple of leaders of the geared Sport class that started behind me caught up to me on the first lap. I rode three laps exchanging leads with them up until the very end. I rode clean, consistent laps while reeling in a few guys from my group on the last lap. Next year I plan to take one of these sweet Series trophies home with me. RESULTS.