ford 1

So I'm driving to Fredericksburg on Saturday, just passing through Orange. No traffic whatsover and I go by a 45mph sign doing a bit over that, so I back it off. Next thing I know, there are blue lights in my rear view. damn. So I get pulled over. damn. Did you see me slow down at the 45mph sign? Yes, here is your ticket. damn.

That was just the start of the day to get me ready to race.

The race was an off road duathlon on the south bank of the Rappahannock River. A 2.8 mile run followed by 9+ mile mountain bike and then it finished with another take on the run course. I got to transition and caught up some racing friends. We get to the start line just as a cold rain started, with some wind to go with it. Off we went and I was near the front for the lollipop shaped run loop. Into T1 and the Inov8 shoes came off and the Sidi's were on for the bike leg. By now the rain had turned the trail to slop. With the narrow trail and multitude of logs and roots it was a technical course. I took it easy on the twisties and downhills and pushed it on the uphills. The bulldogs hooked up great in the slop and the Deluxe keep the rear tire stuck to the muddy climbs. Kevin and Dave of Bike Factory Racing came by me showing the skills. The final stretch was double track along the river, I pushed it in the BIG-little towards T2. Rolling into transition I pass Kevin and Dave starting their second run. The Sidi's came off and the Inov8's were back on for another taste of the muddy run. The foot turnover was fast and I felt great. Coming off the single track for the double track to the finish I pushed it and saw Dave in front of me. He turned to see me as I was splashing through some mud and took off. I tried to reel him in before the finish but didn't make it. Dave finished fifth with me in sixth overall. Kevin pulled off a podium with a third. Pretty damn impressive on his singlespeed.

I got cleaned up after the race and drank my recovery drink of choice, aaah Coca-Cola. Stood around and waited for the awards to see how I did in the big 30-39 age group and shivered. Did I mention it was cold? Dave took 1st in AG with me in 2nd. First age group podium of the year, I'm pretty happy with it, especially in the nasty conditions. Thanks to Konrad for promoting the race and for making the tough decision to hold it in the rain. He's going to have a lot of work to get the trails fixed. If you're in the Fredericksburg area, help out with trail work. Great trails.

Next on the schedule is Off Road Duathlon Nationals in Richmond.

thanks for reading...