DINO Southwestway Race Report: It Was Fun And I Did Not Suck

 

And just like that, the DINO season finale at Southwestway Park arrived. This summer/year have certainly flown by. Reports of a new course layout at SWW necessitated a pre-ride on the Friday night before Sunday's race. Course was in good shape, except for some very muddy sections in the horse trails along the White River. These were skipped. My main priority was to check out a new decent and climb which had been added. The descent wasn’t too rough. Somewhat steep with a right turn and then a left, followed by a hard right which took you down below the levee and into the river flood plain. The climb was pretty rough, but doable, as long as you didn’t stand up.

Ok, so preride done, confidence building, etc. Time to race!

But then mother nature made her presence known. First, on Saturday I began to see reports that the lower trails along the river were starting to flood. We’d had no rain locally since the pre-ride, but the problem was 75 miles to the north where strong storms had dumped 8-10 inches of rain in some places….places which were drained by the White River. All that water works its way south and by Saturday afternoon the water levels had risen.

The river trails and the trail leading to the new climb were likely to be underwater. And no one wants to ride through White River water. Southwestway Park is at the end of a long series of sewer outflows and water treatment plants. Not the kind of water you want splashing on you or your water bottles.

Adding insult to injury, a huge line of thunderstorms which had been inching closer to the ciry all day finally moved in Saturday and slammed the park in the evening hours. Honestly, I thought the race would be called. The trails up on Mann Hill drain well, but the rest of the trails were likely to be muddy or underwater.

But, wonders never cease, a late Facebook post said the race was still on, although the course would be re-routed. So, I guess this thing is happening!

Next morning dawned terribly humid and misty. I headed down early (course is only 20 minutes away) and set up my tent (a new thing for me) and went to check out the new course. I rode the gravel road start and then dropped down to the river trails. Those had been rerouted along a wide gravel trail which followed a levee. From there, we climbed up Mann Hill, but instead of a dropping into the new descent, the trail went left to a new steep, sandy, and rooty climb. Riding about halfway up was as far as anyone got before they had to go to hike a bike. Overall the course was in good shape, and the trails were solid.

At the start with my competition. Not sure
what everyone is staring at....
Photo: Unknown.

So, anyway, the race proper. We started off in a rather civilized bunch, and I found myself at the front. Well that was not the plan so I slowed a bit and the regular folks, Dan G, Bryan D. and Brian W, and a rider from the Bicycle Station get in front. The start was on a long gravel road section, which was somewhat loose in places, and muddy slick in others. I moved past the Bicycle Station rider and settled in behind Bryan D.

Hey, look, I'm in the lead. Bike racing is great!
Photo: Eric Lewis

The course dropped into single-track on the northern part of the course, before hitting the fast levee section (the reroute for the flooded part of the course).

Dan G. and Brian W. gained a gap coming onto this section, but I was able to bridge this along with Bryan D. This group stayed together as we climbed the initial dirt/gravel road climb up Mann Hill. We hit the rerouted rooty/sandy climb and everyone dismounted. We struggled to the top, with Dan G. and Brian W. still in sight. I had a less than efficient remount and we continued the climb to the top. I was able to start to gap Bryan D, although at the same time Brian W. and Dan G. were opening a significant gap on me.



Smiling? There is no smiling in racing.
Photo: Beth Bragg

Once at the top, we descended along a somewhat technical section and then climbed back up the hill via the flow trail on the north side of the hill. Typically this route is one way for bikes but for this race it was a gradual climb back to the top, followed by a descent on the south side flow trail, and then a fast run into the finish.

Speaking of the descent on the south side flow trail, here is a cool video courtesyof Dave Tozer (and his broken collarbone) of the Pro/Elite, Cat 1, and Cat 2 waves hitting that section of trail:

Heading into the end of lap one I was alone, with Dan G. and Brian W. in front with at least a one minute gap. As I went through the finish and prepared to drop into the single-track (gravel road start only used for lap one…then all singletrack) my focus turned toward maintaining my third place in the age group.

Problem was, I was riding conservatively on the single track. Roots and rocks and bridges were kind of slimy so care was needed.  I caught up to a rider from Bicycle Exchange who bobbled on a few root sections, and I had some issues finding a spot to get by him. Then I spotted Bryan D. gaining on me. I tried to up the pace, which merely resulted in a slide out on a bridge. By the time I got to the levee section Bryan D. was on my wheel.  

I figured I could maintain this position and then attack on the climbs on the final lap if needed. However, as we came to the gravel climb just after the levee section, I pushed the pace. I didn’t drop Bryan D, but I did begin to put some space between him and I. This continued for the remainder of the lap and lap three was relatively uneventful as I focused on keeping my gap, and not crashing on slick spots.

Lap 4 started with my position still less than certain. I had seen glimpses of Brian W’s green and white (then in 2^nd) jersey through the trees at a few points, but I didn’t think I was making any gains. On the other hand, I had pulled away from Bryan D., and could no longer see him on my six, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t appear again. The lap was going well, but I began to get twinges in my calves. Not full cramps, but definitely heading down that road. I had forgone my final water bottle at the lap, and drank the remainder of the one I had just prior to the climbing Mann but at that point I was all in at that point. Bottom line, this race needed to end soon, or else the cramps would hit hard.

 
 
 
During this lap, for the first time in the season, I was passed by some Pro/Elite wave riders. One rider caught me on the levee and another on Mann Hill. Both were from Marian University (it seemed like their entire team was there) and both were going incredibly fast. I didn’t really feel too bad about that.

Anyway, I pushed hard up the Mann Hill climb, took the descent and started up the flow trail. Since the flow trail loops back and forth onto itself I knew I would be able to gauge where I was in the age group, and how big the gaps ahead and behind were.

I passed a few open riders, but did not see any sign of 2^nd and 1^st place. On the other hand, I didn’t see Bryan D. either. 3^rd place seemed secure.

But there can’t be a final lap without a bit of drama. On the flow trail I noticed the front end of the bike felt loose. Lots of play in the wheel and some rattling. I glanced down and saw that the quick release was completely open.

Uh Oh.

So keeping the wheel on the ground was a must. I finished the climb and at the hill summit I pulled over, tightened the QR and was off again. One of the Cat 2 Open riders I passed caught up to me, but didn’t pass.

The last bit of drama was a spectator near the beginning of the south bound flow descent. As I and the Open rider started the descent this guy yelled that we would really be going fast on our next lap. Huh? I had been counting laps, but considering the fatigue and fog of war, I began to question where we were. I yelled back to the Open rider and he confirmed we were on the last lap. Whew. As I said, the legs were on their way to cramping.

The rest of the lap was uneventful and I put in a fast finish to end up 3^rd in the age group, and 13^th overall.

Back on the podium! Great way to end the series.
Photo: Aaron Lifford

I was hot, exhausted, and absolutely thrilled/relieved.  

The trials and tribulations of the past three races were overcome. I felt good during the race and rode well, especially on the climbing. It was nice to be back on the podium, especially for the final race of the season.

Afterwards most everyone hung out and socialized during the Cat 3 races. Grills were going and beer was brought. It was a great time, which coupled with what seemed like a high race turnout, really added to a great atmosphere.

An added bonus was revealed during the series awards. I hadn’t really paid attention to the standings for my age group during the three slump races, but as it turned out, I ended up in 3^rd, which was another podium.

So, the cross country season ended on a high note. I think the increase in training miles (lots of road riding) and hours the last three weeks really helped so I plan to incorporate more road riding into my training in the future.  I also have to consider where to aim next year in terms of class. My season wasn’t as consistent as I had hoped, but I think I could move up to Cat 2 Open and do well enough. However, I’m also not obligated to move up under DINO rules. But, many of the guys I race against now are planning on catting up to Open. So…..decisions, decisions. As of now, it is time to start thinking about cyclocross. Only two weeks until the first race.

*Lead photo credit to William L. Snyder