FSC # 8 Alva

Alva has always been a fun and fast course.  This year was no different.  The preride went well as we studied some lines and put a race strategy together.  Using Andy's cornering technique from last summers camp I was able to really rail the hard packed corners.  I felt as if I was flying without even trying.

 I got a good start and went into the woods second, right behind my teammate.  We raced the first lap together and started to gap third through the tighter, twistier sections.  Third place is strong in the open areas and was able to close the gap back everytime.  Third place attacked on the end of the first lap and took over the lead.  On the second lap I got around Adam and started chasing down first.  I never could catch him.  The second lap was shorter and did not include the tighter, twistier sections.  With most of what was left being open ground I knew I had to really hammer it to catch up.  I could see first but just never was able to close in.  I finished in second but really needed the win.  Thanks to the MUDCUTTERS, the trail was in perfect shape for the race!  And THANK YOU to LeRoy (LeRoy's Bikeworks) for the new team helmets.

 

 

FSC # 7 Loyce Harpe Park

This race was a whole lot better than my last one!  Home course advantage paid off and I took the win. 

The Team Time Trial was a huge success also.  Adam, Sam, Jordon, Madison and myself were not expecting to place too high in the TTT since we are all juniors and our competition is all adults.  However, when we lined up we noticed that we were indeed going to be more organized than the other teams.  We spent a lot of time practicing the TTT.  My Dad had us stagger on the start instead of being side by side.  This allowed us to fall into line faster on the start and draft each other into the woods.  Once we got in the woods Adam led us through with Sam, Jordon, myself and Madison following.  The fourth person across the finish line is the time that is scored so Madison hung on as long as she could.  She still needed to hammer it out because if someone had a mechanical she would have to be that fourth person.  Everything and every situation was planned out and we were cruising good.  At the end of the course we had about a mile of open area and road so we started rotating like roadies and finished with four of us together.  We were suprised to find out we were in first place but still had a few teams after us.  Fortunatly, we held on for the win and the five bonus team points.

TTT video part 1 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvLSYlmxFRw

TTT video part 2 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9Ay1ahhwA&feature=relmfu

TTT video part 3 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxoniL5XZQk&feature=relmfu

I was expecting to win the race because I had to.  If you win any race it has to be on your home course.  I got a real good start and went into the woods first.  I managed to get a gap right away and never had any problem passing.  I was riding smooth and everything was going as I had hoped.  My Dad was giving me time gaps at different sections and second place was closing in the open areas but my home course knowledge allowed me to open up the gap again through the technical sections.  I knew I had to keep a big lead because the one in second place is a real strong finisher.  On the last lap we had a head wind on the road back and I could see what looked like second place chasing after me.  He had about eight riders with him and if they worked together he could pull me back in.  All I could do was stand and sprint.  It worked.  He never gained any time on me and I got a much needed win.  I forgot to start my helmet cam so there is no video.

FSC #6 MARKHAM PARK

To sum it up, I had a bad race.  I really like the trails at Markham park and I recommend anyone who is in the Miami area check them out.  I was so anxious to preride that I just went and rode without looking at lines close enough and not thinking about strategy like I should have. The problem on race day was the amount of people racing in front of me.  There was 69 riders in 40-49 base alone! The starting line was only about 8 feet wide and we had 15 riders in our class, so the starting line was packed. When Dave blew the whistle, we all took off rubbing elbows and shoulders all the way down the road.  We finally came into a single file line and I entered the woods in third.  We almost instantly caught up to 40-49 and my race went downhill from there.  The people were not very anxious to let us pass to say the least. When the trail opened up I was able to pass a few riders but not enough to stay with 1st and 2nd.  I sprinted as hard as I could to make up ground but it just wasn't enough.  I just could not seem to catch a break.  About the half way point of the first lap my chain popped off.  I have no idea why, it just didn't want to be on for some reason.  I lost two spots because of that and knew I was in trouble.  The second lap I was still trying to work through the large amount of racers in other classes and just could not seem to get my timing right.  I felt as though I was being held up the entire race.  I lost two more spots on this lap because my chain decided to pop off again and I was forced off one of the bridge drops by a crashing rider.  It was a two foot drop off the side of the bridge and I crashed with him.  I crosses the finish line in a disappointing 7th.  My teammate Adam Cohen was able to pull out the win on his home course and give the CycleYouth/LeRoy's Bikeworks team some valuable points.  Now I'm looking forward to the next race at MY home course.

Me: 7th--15-18
Adam: 1st--15-18
Sam:  3rd--11-14
Jordan: 5th--11-14
Ethan: 6th--11-14
Morgan: 8th--11-14
Madison: 6th--W3
Jared:  16th--11-14

I don't have a video of this race because my Mom had my helmet cam in her camera bag out on the trail and the bike patrol would not let anyone out there.  I will have one for the next race though.