Double Shot Weekend

Looking to get in some back to backs racing in prep for bigger race weekends later in the season I raced both days this weekend. Pictures; my friend Andreas ripping it, the kids are alright, and cheesy medallion.

Livermore on Saturday -

All the As started together with a race length of 60 min vs. the usual 45 min. A small field w/ maybe 25 total riders. I staged in the 2nd row, got an excellent jump and was in the lead string of @ 10 A riders around most of the first lap. A gap started opening up between the rider 2 ahead of me but I stayed tucked in, nervous about the length of the race. I felt really good not going too hard but riding fast. I settled in w/ a group of 4 riders one split behind the lead group of 10.

After some practice laps I decided to ditch the usual tufos and go w/ high pressure clinchers (mud 2 sprint up front w/ mud 2 in the rear). This turned out to be a fast combo on this course. I was able to corner noticeably better at speed than the riders with me. Around 1/2 through the group was down to 3 of use, with one being a 45+ rider. I was watching the other 35+ rider, Evan of HRS Lobster, as he wasn't doing any work in the wind. I was pretty sure I could break away from them but I didn't like my chances bridging up to the other group alone. So I stayed in and worked to keep the pace fast. Lots of back and forth but we are still together after 45 minutes w/ 15 left to go !

I'm still feeling good though and just waiting to attack. At 2 laps left the 45+ comes across me in the barriers and I bobble as he bumps into me, Evan attacks. I bear down and real him back w/ 45+ in tow. Last lap I wait for the long flats and I turn it up a notch dropping Evan and getting a little gap on 45+. I come into a turn a little hot and drift wide, giving 45+ a chance to attack. I get back on w/ 1/4 lap to go but now I'm thinking of tomorrow so I roll in behind him. 2nd in my class, small field but I'll take the cheap medallion thank you !

CandleStick on Sunday (the kids are alright)
Back to the big time w/ 50 riders on the line in my class. Got to the line and staged in 2nd row, a victory in itself in this series. Another good jump off the line, victorious fight for the inside on the first 180 and I'm in with a great start. I'm giving it everything I got to stay in touch with the rider in front realizing that i'm in a great position in @ 15th. What a blast to be able to ride full out on the first lap w/o getting stacked up behind bobbling riders. Everyone's going full out and I'm hanging in. Middle of the 2nd lap I get a little aggressive on a corner climb and try an inside turn like I'm on a motor bike or something, my rear slides out and the rider behind runs over my wheel and takes my tubular off the rim. Damn. Off the bike and a long way from the pit so I pull the tubular back on (it hadn't rolled far) but just like that 10 riders are by me. Ugh I could have been somebody !

Back on and after babying the rear a little it feels like it will hold so I continue racing. I get around a few riders that had passed me and I can see the original group now down to @ 8 not far ahead. I'm in no mans land and I'm started to feel a little worked on the minefields and lack of shelter on the pavement sections. (Sidebar, I had rode practice laps w/ less pressure but 2nd guessed myself just before the start, regretting that now) I get back to the group which is now down to 2 Dflrs and 4 others. Gap opens up ahead of one tattooed Dlfr so I pass him through some barriers, and I'm on the wheel of the next Dlfr. Uh oh watch out lapped rider which, hey, front wheel slide and I'm down. Tattooed Dflr passes me up.

I fight back to tattoo boy and with one lap left and too much distance to make up to riders ahead I stick to his wheel and let him pull me around. Once we are on the pavement I sit in a bit to recover than go pulling clear before the line :-)

Bummer about the rolled tire but I'm pumped with my starts this weekend and overall speed. Recovery week, weekend off, 2nd half of the season to follow.