Fat Tire Classic

The race: Two 5 mile laps around a rolling course with a good mix of single and double track, a bit of sand, and two or three good hills. The track was moist, not wet and consisted of roots, sand, and pine needle covering. Classic NE trails.

The heats went off by age category, young guns to old well ridden gentlemen. This unfortunately put myself, Cory, and Ken in different races. Each heat went off 2 minutes after the other. My heat(cat 3 19-29) had roughly 8-10 guys in it and rolled out first. My plan was to hammer from the gun and see where I got. I did so and it worked out. Ended up taking first in my heat with a reasonable gap between myself and second. Got a fancy medal and a Pedro’s Pit Kit.

Cory, went off 2 minutes behind me with a similar field. He reports that in no time he was picking off the stragglers (read: all) of my field, save for a few. Turns out that passing on single track can be a bit tricky, especially if the passee is not following the (GTFO of my way) proper etiquette. This is something that the later groups going out found difficult as they gained on the stragglers. None the less, Cory prevailed and ended up sprinting in for 2nd place, another fancy medal, and a real nice Bontrager floor pump.

Ken came hammering in a little after Cory (having started 2 minutes behind Cory’s group) looking super comfortable on the mtb and super comfortable in 2nd place! He also received a fancy medal and real nice floor pump.

We also had a special debut of one Tessa Clare sporting a Team Threshold jersey (courtesy of Cory). She entered the First Timers category and battled with another girl for a podium finish over 5 miles. A strong ride for her debut, she came in a well-earned 2nd place!