2015 Rocky Hill Roundup Race Report

This past weekend was the Rocky Hill Roundup, first race of the 2015 Texas State Championship Series. I went in to the race with high hopes, but could only manage 4th on the day. It was a bit disappointing, but I guess I came out ok and will move on to the next round. 

I got a decent start, going into the singletrack in 3rd. About a minute and a half into the race I took the lead at the top of the first climb when the guys in front of me seemed to slow a little bit. I ended up getting a decent gap after this, but I didn't push too hard trying to stay away as I knew it was too early.

Eventually we formed a group of 4 at the front which turned out to be the selection for the race. I led the first lap at a decent pace, but I just didn't seem to have gas in the tank to be able to do much more than ride around. That first acceleration, which wasn't even that hard, was seemingly the only match I had to burn.

At the beginning of the second lap the eventual winner rolled past me and away, and I could not respond at all. I faded back to 4th, then 5th for a while, but I was able to take one spot back going into the last lap for the 4th place finish. 

A nice overlook behind me, but no time for sight-seeing.

I'm looking forward to more racing and I now have some things I know I need to work on. Big thanks to Sugar Cycles, my BMC was fast out there I just didn't have the energy to push it. Also big thanks to Skratch Labs, it warmed up a good bit during our race but I stayed ok and cramp free the whole race. I know the lack of energy was due to some other factors and certainly not the tasty pineapples in my bottles!

Thanks Ed for the picture and videos.

Raine returned to the start line for the first time in a few years and came out with 2nd place. I was stoked for her, she's been training and it's great to see her back at it. She had a lot of fun so I think she'll be back for more. We borrowed a popup camper for the weekend and stayed out at the ranch. The kids had a blast camping out and playing with new friends all weekend. I suspect we will eventually get a camper of our own, we have many years of these fun adventures ahead and I remember fondly all my families' travels with our camper in my younger days.

Our first family camper adventure.

Race season is here

It starts this weekend with the Rocky Hill Roundup in Smithville. My group will be racing 4 laps of a 4.5mi course; this is a bit different from our more typical race of 3 laps on an 8-10 mile course. It's fun to be turning 20 minute laps coming through the start finish area more frequently, but it also makes for a shorter, more intense race. I had a pretty good race here last year finishing in 5th, so I'm hoping the course will suit me again and I can have a good weekend. Last year it was a bit unexpected, but this year I'm coming in strong and targeting the state championship so I will be targeting a good result. I'm pretty sure I'm coming in with a target on my back after my strong race at the Double Lake Marathon, but I'll try to use that to my advantage.

I submitted to my annual rip-off from USA Cycling yesterday to renew my racing license. $70 to be able to race my bike, and I'm still not sure what other benefits that gets me. Hopefully this will be the last year of TMBRA sanctioning with USAC and they will do their own thing next year. Renewing my license reminded me that this will be my 10th year racing. My first MTB race was in Arkansas at Daisy State Park. I raced beginner and led the whole race but faded hard at the end and got passed with about 100yds to the line. I thought the guy was in another class and I didn't want to put up a fight. I went to that race to get one under my belt before contesting the LA State Championship race at Lincoln Parish Park, which I ended up winning. My little brother and I had an awesome battle going running away from the field until he hit his pedal on a root and broke it. He hung with me for a good while but eventually made a mistake due to the pedal and I was able to get enough gap to stay away to the finish.

2005 Ruston Race results. We left Ruston the next Spring and moved to Houston.