Gully Mor XC Vet B 4th place

WHAT A RACE!!! Feeling a taad groggy from yesterday's race and 5 hours of travel to get back from Gully Mor XC but well worth it for the experience!

Temperature and humidity were high, as per the norm with these events so far this year, and the 8.6 km track and trail were freaky fast. Nothing that would beat ya up and loads of space for passing. Managed to get the hole shot (that's 2 out of 4 this year ;) and held first place going into the "woods" again. Managed to frustrate the pack behind me just before getting into the woods because I forgot I was wearing my GOPRO and hadn't turned it on hahahahaha...I was passed almost immediately after that by the guy who eventually came in second place. Trails were just so much fun to ride that I was in my seat vs standing for about 90% of the race! The second area where I was passed came when I got hung up behind this maniac who enters these events on an old school CR 500! It happend so quick. First place dude and 3rd place dude passed me and I never saw them again.

Held 4th place for the remainder of the 8 total laps.

Timing tent through the transition.......so.......I pass through after first lap and it is placing me in third. Thought...huh...that's cool...let's see how this plays out and kept a steady pace for the next lap and then see SECOND PLACE?!?!?!? Thinking WTF...did one of the fast guys DNF?? Unfortunately, for the rest of the race it was showing me as second place when in reality I came in 4th. There was some troubleshoot with two racer's transponders. Oh well.....at least I got to "Feel" what it would have thought to get second hahahah. I would't have done a single thing differently...actually...waitaminute...this is my new thought.

I will get a pretty decent groove in these races and come across a rider that is riding pretty smooth as well. My mistake here that can definitely help me make up time is that, instead of pacing and sitting on their rear, I should pass these riders...when difference between 4th and 1st is a few minutes...this is what I would need to do to get closer to podium.

My next thoughts....I believe I am 3rd overall in series points now from 4th. The next event is located in the same region a.k.a MONSTER drive to/from. I have neglected the family to enter these 4 events this summer now and I am heavily weighing in on whether it's worth my time to attend the next one or pass and participate in the last two events that are close to home....thoughts to ponder....

Pre Gullymor XC thoughts

This coming Sunday will be the Gullymor XC course which looks freaky FAST from the you tube clips that I have been watching. It seems like someone from a purely MOTO background has designed the XC course and I LIKEY!!!!!

I am hoping for a MUD FREE event to really capitalize on my strength of riding the dry. Choosing to avoid riding mud has really put me at a disadvantage in mindset everytime I come across a race with slippery and technical conditions. Hoping it all comes together this time. It's a long drive and yet another full weekend committment to participate in these events and looking forward to one of my best showings yet. Better than 4th will put me on the box.......bike, body and mind are ready. Already prepping mindset for muddy conditions in the event that this happens but....40% chance of rain tomorrow morning and then all butterflies and rainbows through till raceday :) If there is any event I can contend for a podium it's THIS and FREEFLOW so....time to pony up!!!!

Anthill Classic 2017 7th place

Didn't realize how much this race beat me up until the morning after......

To start. I live in Kingston. This event is a solid 4.5 hrs travel away. Next weekend's event is also another 4.5-5 hrs away. Doesn't make it easy but it's amazing what a "junkie" will do to get their fix :)

Recap. Proper rest and hydration was there...kinda...hydration on point. Full believer in pedialyte morning of race and will keep that protocol in place. This race was a little unique in two aspects. 1. The start was Pro class all the way through staggererd in same time frame and 2. the lap was a monster 27 km. In reflection..never did I once say WHEN THE HELL IS THIS LAP OVER? The course wound and weaved to get you to lose all frame of reference where one was. Other than a couple slippery sections, I really did enjoy this event.

Start wasn't as strong as I could have made it. Launched into the first woods section into 4th place off of the line and held onto 7th both times as I went through the timing tent. I'll call this one a success. NO serious wipeouts...seemed to be the major topic post race...and had LOTS of energy left in the tank. I felt SO good actually, that I was hoping for another lap!!! A good marker of my hydration protocol and seat time as well as riding within my limits.

Nothing really remarkable or noteworthy to comment on this race, other than the fact I have come to realize I need to get more comfortable in the snotty muddy terrain. There's really only one way to do this..I need to ride Calabogie more to get more technical mud time.

Haven't seen where this places me in the overall points but anticipate I will be moving up one or two spots from 5th...tba. UPDATE..appears I did move up to 4th with 1 pt separating me from third OVERALL....interesting....motivation is building now for the next event!!

Decided to post this pic to show...actually CAPTURE what the feeling is when I am in this zone(see if link works)....It's a powerful drug....and I am looking forward to my next fix next weekend at Wingham XC!!

Anthill Classic weekend pre race reflections

Race # 3 this coming Sunday. 5 hour drive to get to event and staying overnight in Waterloo tomorrow. Realizing the committment to attend ALL of these events does encroach on family weekend time and cogniscant of this fact as I am sitting at home, alone, as wife and kids are en route to the family cottage to enjoy a weekend with their cousins. I'm making tough calls this summer to do what I had set out to do and that was to go ALL IN for a season of Vet B XC racing and I'm staying course. Speaking of course......

One of my biggest competitors in this group has a bit of an advantage this weekend as it's his home course/club. He has also had a hand in prepping the course as well. Knowing this I have a few strategies....will see which one I will play out after the start.

This course is supposed to be flat and fast. Will certainly crack a cold one tonight and stream a youtube vid of someone who posted their laps at last year's event to get a good grasp. All I know is that it is a 26 k loop with all classes starting staggered at same time. There is not am and pm event. This should be pretty cool as the Pro's and Experts and super fast guys should lap me later in event. Will be wild to see some of these guys rip by.

Hotel is one of the better ones I have booked so will do my best to behave and get a good meal and proper sleep. Looking forward to posting some positive results. Who's kidding who....I'm going for the TOP STEP!!!! Smooth and consistent is my plan.