DINO France Park Race Report

This past weekend was the sixth race in the DINO mountain bike race series at France Park in Logansport. This venue was my first Cat 3 race last year. The turnout is somewhat lower here than at other races, which is fine with me. Better chance for door prizes. I’ve been feeling very good fitness wise and the bike was working, save for a slight creak around the bottom bracket which despite new part installation, multiple cleanings, and frame inspections would not go away. However, the bike was still operating very well so I went with it. 

I really enjoy the course at Logansport. It is a mixture of single track, wider hiking paths, and gravel double track. The trail also takes some interesting features, including a section that rides along the edge of a cliff overlooking a flooded quarry, a pair of steep hills that require a hike a bike, and another section which cuts through a rocky dry quarry near the end of the race lap. 

I lined up with the Cat 3 30-39 wave, of which there were a total of 9 riders. A somewhat smaller field, but Logansport tends to have a few less riders than some of the other venues. There were about 12 19-29ers and at least 20 40+. I was expecting those guys to catch out wave fairly quickly. The start follows some rocky double track for roughly ¼ mile before entering single track. I got off to a good start and was in third place going into the trail. The single track at Logansport varies from narrow and twisting to relatively wide. I was feeling good and keeping up a good pace, although I was passed by another rider not long after hitting the trail. However, I had that rider and another rider (2^nd and 3^rd place) in my sights, less than 3 seconds ahead of me. I could not see anyone on my tail. At this point I was feeling great. I was sitting in fourth, and although 2^nd and 3^rd had a small gap due to their more aggressive riding in some of the narrower sections of single track, I was still on contact with them. I knew I would be able to close the gap (if not outright pass them) on the wide open and double track sections of the trail. Plus, the last ½ mile of the course is all on gravel road, providing plenty of sprinting room. As long as I could see them ahead I knew I could catch them. That was the plan until I crashed. 

I’m still not sure what happened. I was on a fairly fast section of single track when the bike went out from under me and I chest planted into the trail. At first I thought I broke my sternum, but after feeling my chest and taking a few breaths everything seemed ok. I cut up my right arm and my knees. I also tore my shorts on my right side. I got up fairly quickly and the bike seemed ok. Although I had been down for only a few seconds, the two riders I had been chasing were gone. No one passed me, but I was a bit shaken and kept a slower pace for the next few minutes, which allowed a few of the faster 40+’s to pass me. To add insult to injury, when I reached for my water bottle a few minutes later, I discovered it was gone. Lovely, two miles into a 12.5 mile race and I have no water. The rest of the first lap went well. I handled a creek crossing just fine and then broke into an open section with some good speed. I maintained this speed into the finish area and then started the final lap. 



Coming down the final stretch to start the second lap. Can't tell if I am smiling or grimacing.
Photo: Beth Bragg 

The section after the start finish line includes some fun and rocky single track and the aforementioned cliff ride section. Soon after the cliff is a very steep downhill, which some people ride, others walk. I was planning on riding it, but after my earlier crash I was a bit leery of accidentally going over the handle bars. Much to the dismay of several spectators, I chose to walk down this hill. Following the hill is a lovely flat section of double track and open field. I was passed by a 40+ rider and then started picking off 19-29 riders as well. 

This hill looked aot bigger during the race.
Photo: William L. Snyder

Generally the second lap was fairly uneventful as I maintained a good pace and continued to pass some riders, although none from 30-39, meaning I remained in fourth place. Unfortunately, I was eventually caught by a 30-39er who dropped me. Good news was, that not long after that pass, I caught up to another 30-39er who had been one of the guys I was following when I crashed. He looked pretty well exhausted and I got past him easily. From here on out the race went fairly fast. I made it past the earlier crash site, saw my water bottle lying in the brush and moved on. Coming into the dry quarry section near the end I was in a group of three with a 40+ and a 19-29er. I was third in this group and as we left the quarry and entered into the long final stretch along the gravel road I accelerated and got past them both. It felt good to break away at he end, although it was really pointless as neither was in my age group. Plus, the 40+ rider still beat me due to the staggered start times. 

Crossing the finished line. Note the dirt smudge where I contacted the ground. Ouch.
Photo: Beth Bragg 

Overall I was quite happy with race.  I finished 17^th out of 58 in the Cat 3 group and 4^th in the 30-39 age group. I rode well (save the crash) and felt strong all the way through the race. I’m kicking myself for the crash, as without it I have no doubt I would have been able to maintain contact with the next few places and perhaps been able to get a gap in the flat sections. The next race is at Southwestway Park in Indianapolis. I’m very familiar with this course and ride it often. However, as there is only 3 miles of mountain bike trails, hiking and horse trails are used for the race. I have no knowledge of these so I plan to do a bit of hiking on Saturday in addition to a pre-ride.