Elkton, MD
August 17, 2013
Race report by Jessica
The day started early, earlier than most races do. With an 8am start and a little over a 2 hour drive Joël and I were on the road early. Upon arrival at the race venue we set-up the team tent, registered, and set-up our nutrition/hydration at the half-way point. During all of this our other teammates arrived, and we met-up with them for catching-up and conversation to help dampen the pre-race gitters.
Fairhill is a course that is different than anything we ride around where Joël and I live. We live in an area notorious for having rocks, and lots of them. Add in a mountain range for some decent climbs and then long, technical descents. Fairhill is the opposite of this- with the exception of a few short, punchy climbs it is relatively flat, tight and twisty, and has root after root after root.
Joël started out in the first wave to go- open men and singlespeed. I started in the second group, open women and masters men. The race began with a about a mile or two dirt road/tractor path before entering single track. Joël said he had no issues entering the single track. I on the other hand hit a huge bottle neck. For the most part people were still moving but not quickly I was with a group of women and not going anywhere was quite frustrating. There was no way to breakaway. It took some time but eventually racers were able to spread out and the group of women started to divide. From here on out the course consisted of tight, twisty, tree-hugging single track. Roots were everywhere! In the corners, before the corners, after the corners. These corners were tight...add in the roots and it made for some technical trails. On occasion the trail would open up to a trail or tractor-path in an open field or a short stint on a gravel road. So one may think that not being a hilly course would be better; well, it's not. Sure, there were no major climbs but that also means not major descents. And what does all of this mean- pedaling for the entire race. 50 miles of pedaling with no breaks to let the legs relax. This course is deceptively tough; sure it's not rocky and there are no mountains to climb but it has it's own challenges.
It was great to spend part of my race riding with fellow SVB racing team member Ken. Also, having another teammate Todd at the half-way point to give me splits on other racers and encouragement was great. That is what racing on a team is about, having friends out there for support.
I ended up 4th place open women, only 90 seconds off of third. Joël was 5th pace open men.
After a hard day of racing some Weyerbacher beer was enjoyed by all of us. We spent some time relaxing while watching the MASS XC year-end awards before heading home to clean bikes, washing clothing, and get ready to do it all again next weekend at Rattling Creek and the MASS series finals awards.
It even looks twisty and tight on the course map...two loops of this.