The Race (Mohican 100K)

So the word is out that I won the 100K Mohican race this past weekend but not without a little controversy. So let me explain.....

Our race started in Loudenville around 7 and as always I came for a good time with little expectations or goals of placement. I simply wanted to finish this year without cramping which has happened to me the past 2 years. We immediately pegged the pace and for some reason I i felt good enough to maintain with the group pulling away but only for a short time before getting dropped and setting in on a comfortable pace. Riding in a small group through the single track another pittsburgh racer (Steve Cummings) came around me and turned the screws a little more. Smart racing has taught me not to worry but ride your pace in such a long race. This is what I did. I then rode many miles with my good friend (& local Mohican trial rider) Steve Twining. Letting him lead the way around the single track was a good option and pushing him on the climbs helped us both. I had a great time riding with Steve and we politely worked each other over a little with our strong points until hitting an aid station where Steve needed more time to refuel and I wanted to get back on course as a group rolled through. We said our goodbyes & good luck and parted ways.

 

I then worked to catch the group and managed to only get by a couple people before hitting the road sections. Turning up the heat and pushing the 44/11 i did reel the larger group ahead into sight but was never able to get close enough to catch a wheel. They would pull huge gaps on the flats and rollers while I would work & work by myself to keep them in my radar. A short time later we rolled through the 3rd aid station where the 100 mile & 100K split. I was told that i had been chiseling time off the gap to the group ahead while adding time to my pursuing counterparts. 15 some odd miles to go and only one other rider out front. I also knew his strong points were hills which followed but the ending of this years course was taking us back over a little more than 5 miles of the Mohican trail that we had started out on which left me feeling confident that I had a chance of catching him. Railing around and into the Campgrounds where the course then narrowed back into the single track i was feeling happy about the day on the bike and had yet to feel the slightest cramping (which was a major goal for me this year---no cramping). True to form I blissfully carved my way through the 5 mile loop of trail but never managed to ever see Steve who should have been out front. Thinking he must have really just kicked it up I rode my pace as normal and came across the finish smiling while assuming I had taken a solid 2nd place. I was very happy with this since I rode well, felt well and had fun.
Oh but wait...there sits Bob Myers immediately asking me what happened??
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Bob says "well 2 guys finished 20 mins ahead of you".
"Impossible!" i said.
I stated that they had to have skipped the Mohican trail because there was no way the lead guy put that much time on me in such a short distance and the other rider was more than several minutes behind me and another rider was between us. He had not passed me or the other guy. With some sorting out the promoter realized an aid station had set up in the wrong location and these two guys had in fact not ridden the 5 mile loop. Now Steve (who was actually leading) rode down the correct trail a little ways before turning around thinking it was wrong but the other guy had missed it all together. The promoter took some responsibility but had they read the course directions (a stack of them were printed off and sitting beside registration) they would have known we were to double back onto the starting single track. Also the rider following me and several others all made the correct turns without someone there to guide them. Both riders were disqualified. I do feel a bit "short changed" not having the chance to reel in the lead guy but this is how racing goes and i'm sure he feels the same not knowing if he would have maintained the lead or gotten chased down by me. Never the less I was the days winner and slow, steady & smart racing can win.
Thanks to all my supporters..Fisher, Bontrager, Deans Dairy, The Heart Center at Butler, Smart wool Socks, Trek of Pittsburgh, Boone Ti, Bob Myers & Jerry Bliton. I also want to add a thanks to Steve Twining for leading me through the single track so quickly.

*stork

Equipment used:

• 2009 Superfly
• Stork Fork (re-worked Fox G2)
• Bontrager XDX Tires
• Rhythm Comp 29er Wheelset
• FSA K-Force Light 44T/29T crank
• Time Pedals 
• ESI grips
• SRAM drivetrain and XO Twist Shifters
• Bontrager RXL Shoes
• Trek Circuit helmet (new in 2009)

Comments

[Dave S]

It sucks when things go down like that but you road one hell of a loop at one incredible pace. Has the 100k at the Mohican ever been ridden faster? Great job I think you set a record.

I see you were on the XDXs rock! Chris Y. turned me on to them. One fast and extremely versatile tire.

[JC]

A win's a win, man. Congrats!

Are those Rhythm's not the greatest thing to happen to 29er's or what? I love 'em!

[kelly]

a trophy is a trophy. Sad what happened to the other guys with all their effort, but well done with the win. You're just lucky I wasn't there!