Cyclist Dreams: OMBC - Mohican Wilderness (Race Season Begins)

This past weekend marked my start of this year's off road racing season, and my first race as part of the Combo Race Team.

OMBC Race #2

It was a cold (Mid 40's) and windy (Mid 40mph gusts) day in the hilly part of central Ohio.
If you don't think there are any hills in central Ohio, look at the elevation profile from the Mohican 100 held on some of the same trails. Sure - none of the climbs will take you above the tree line in terms of overall gain - but there are no elevators to haul you up the walls that are some of the climbs on these trails.

The race description:
"The Race Course: Put on your big boy pants for the grandaddy of them all, The Wilderness features some of the toughest climbing in Ohio, technical rock gardens, and a few crazy descents to help you temporarily forget about the next big climb. Portions of the course will be included in the upcoming Mohican MTB100."
"Poached from Spoke Junkies : Features the longest climb in Ohio. On the downhill you will experience some radically cool rock gardens, some killer switchbacks, and a technical, loose, rocky, section that’ll make you wish for a bigger insurance policy. This downhill lasts for a couple of miles and is a blast! Technical bits, rollercoaster style singletrack, long grueling climbs, and bombastic downhills. Highlights include a semi-technical downhill with some light rock gardens and a short, steep climb on an old logging road. The end finishes off with a fun, fast rollercoaster style trail."

The climbs are what always have my attention at this course. As an ex-fat kid I always have the fear that I'll pop heading up one of the hills and turn into a giant gasping lung - mouth open, eyes glazed over - not a pretty picture. This year though, my training over the winter had been much better, and my wife got me some "Go fast wheels" for Christmas. My legs were feeling good even if my stomach was in knots.

Happy to see a number-plate back on the bike!

I milled around to stay warm and rode the first stretch of singletrack a few times. The hard rains from the night before had left some portions of the trail muddy, but most of the course was in good shape.
Eventually I heard the P.A. crackle that meant the start was coming up soon, so I headed up toward the start along with Combo teammates Paul, Heidi, and Shannon; as well as Lighty McClimberson (who said he was feeling more like "Heavy McWalks-up-hills" today).

I watched as the Sport and Expert classes took off into the hills and took my place at the starting line. I positioned myself near the front, hoping to get into the singletrack early to avoid any pileups and to see how muddy the trails were going to be after the Sport and Expert classes had their way with them.

I was first going into the singletrack (Yahoo!!) but clipped a pedal on a root during a short muddy uphill and had to hop off the side - 2 riders went by. We started climbing out into an open field that connects the start with the main section of the course and the wind was making itself known. I managed to pass one rider and tucked in behind another to "ride out" the wind. I saw that there was a small descent coming and knew I had to make a move (my belly would give me a nice boost heading downhill before turning into the woods for the start of the first big climb). I jumped past and opened up a good gap going into the woods.

We were climbing now and I was feeling it. I had tried to switch into my small ring, but my bike wasn't having it - today was going to be fast or nothing. I hunched down low over my bars and stuck it out, getting a good lead on the field going into the more technical stuff at the top of the hill.

Most of my memories from the rest of the race are of the downhill sections (which are awesome - fast, a little technical with rocks and roots to keep you on your toes, and fast again for good measure). My mind always seems to repress memories of the climbs, which is probably a good thing if I'm going to race here again at the Championship race in October.

Into the singletrack - look at that attack position! :/

I remember seeing Paul at one point - I think we were on the section the race director described as "a short, steep climb on an old logging road." I'm pretty sure that could be updated to "a barely walkable section of washed out, rutted road embedded with small boulders." If anyone on a singlespeed made it up that, I will meet you with a six-pack and some money to have your pant legs let out - I imagine there aren't any that would fit over your granite thighs.

The race rolled on and I was feeling pretty good. I was catching some of the Sport riders and trying to maintain whatever lead I had. The week before I had started reading the book "A Dog in a Hat" and one of the chapters was titled : "Nobody else in the Photo" apparently a Belgian phrase meaning that the person who won the race was so far in the lead that there was Nobody else in the Photo on the sports page the next day. With no clear idea of how far ahead I was, it was that phrase that I kept repeating to myself when I would start to slack-off or slow up. "Maybe I'll just sit on this sport guy's wheel for the next climb.... Hey, that guy's walking the hill - maybe I should do that too..." And then another wave of "Nobody else in the Photo." I would press on.

My favorite part of the course is at the top of the hill that overlooks the finish area. From here, you know that the race is almost over, and, if you've ridden here before, you know that before you lies some seriously fast and fun downhill. With my belly out and no sight of anyone behind me, I knew I had a good shot at winning this thing. I let loose and went screaming down (literally and figuratively). Crossing from singletrack to the road leading to the finish is energizing no matter how far you've gone, and I popped gears until I ran out. My Kenda Small Block 8's (Thanks Kenda!) were humming like an electric motor. I big ringed my way down, flying into the parking lot - realized that I in fact had to go around the parking lot :/ - and then middle ringed it across the line. It was my first win and a great way to start the season with my new team.