Hey all!! As many of you are aware, the Sea Otter Classic
was last week! As always, there was a massive turnout, cool people, and that
kettle corn stand that always rocks! I raced 2 events this year. This was my 5
th
time racing the Cross Country, and my first time racing Downhill, Cat 1 and Cat
2 respectively. The Cat 1 17-18 XC is a stacked field, with riders all the way
up to World Cup competitors, and every year Sea Otter is a great barometer for
how the field will look at Nationals. I was excited to see how it played out.
Unfortunately for us, it was insanely hot, with no wind to cool us off, and
little shade on course. It was brutal, many racers dropping or sitting up due
to heat exhaustion.
The amount of uncovered fire road climbing and flat sections
did nothing to help. Seriously, course designers, I know there are better
trails, I have ridden some of them, and I would really like to see them
incorporated into the race. Sheesh. Anyway, off the soap box, on to the race.
The start was wicked
fast, the top group always looks to break as soon as possible. And then there
is always “that one guy” that has to get up front, and then can’t ride the ruts
on the way off the race track and taps out and messes EVERYBODY up. Luckily
this year I was ready for that and got around the mess. After that, it was really
just brutal, lots of playing tag with the other guys. I pass you, you pass me,
we pass one guys, he passes us later, then I pass you both, etc. The heat was miserable and relentless.
I did use
something new this race to combat cramps, should they arise. Pickle Juice! Yes, I know it sounds
disgusting. However, 3 things to consider:
1 When you’re cramping, do you care about taste, or no more
pain?
2 Honestly, it actually tastes good when you’re racing, it
made me happy. Seriously, my back was a little sore, I was wondering if pickle
juice would relieve the tension. So I tried it, insta-smile. No joke. It was
cool.
And 3, it works. My
back felt a little better, and I had 0 cramping in the race.
So yeah, now you
know. My Toa was the perfect weapon for this course, super snappy and
responsive for the descents, and a wicked stiff climbing machine. I ended up in
a sprint finish with a friend of mine, Matt Erbentraut. He was able to hold his
lead on me, and we finished in 28
th and 29
th. Not how I
hoped it would go, but not bad in a large field.
Next big race is NorCal championships in Marin!! That’ll be
a blast, brand new course. Really, brand new, never been raced… should be fun! Anyway, busy as ever, ride safe mates, I’ll
keep you posted!
Photo Credit: John Taylor, Kris Morin, Kelley Skalet. Thanks!
Hey all!! As many of you are aware, the Sea Otter Classic
was last week! As always, there was a massive turnout, cool people, and that
kettle corn stand that always rocks! I raced 2 events this year. This was my 5th
time racing the Cross Country, and my first time racing Downhill, Cat 1 and Cat
2 respectively. The Cat 1 17-18 XC is a stacked field, with riders all the way
up to World Cup competitors, and every year Sea Otter is a great barometer for
how the field will look at Nationals. I was excited to see how it played out.
Unfortunately for us, it was insanely hot, with no wind to cool us off, and
little shade on course. It was brutal, many racers dropping or sitting up due
to heat exhaustion. 
