HIlbert #2 and Walnut Creek Chimney Chase

Ken putting the hammer down!!!

What a weekend of racing it was.
Saturday saw a great day for the team at the Second Camp Hilbert Race of the year.
We fielded a large field of riders and put Jason and my Dad in the pit zone to work on bikes....and boy am I glad we did. Jason ended up having to recable one of mine during the event as I raced.

The Enduro Field started at 930 am with the normal hard start up the dirt gravel and out onto the Single Track. A couple of guys poured it in early including Kevin Cox. I went out hard, and watched the two of them from a short distance before deciding to tackle them and go off the front. To start with Kevin M. and I rode together, K watching my wheel while I set pace. we set a quick 32 minute plus pace through on the first lap, all the while realizing that the rear fender I had put on the bike was a bad idea....it kept rubbing the tire as the suspension actuated....I guess I needed to set it higher than I did....live and learn. As Kevin M. and I came through the transition and went out for lap two, I grabbed another bike from my Brother who was helping in the pit before his race and made the hasty request to yank the fenders. On a Fresh Top Fuel, and feeling good, I decided it was time to launch my attack and try to take the race. Mostly this was gonna be an experiment. I knew my fitness was good, as I am aiming to peak in 2 weeks for the BURN 24, but I did not know how good. What I did know, Endorphins John Rittling and Chris Reynolds were within site behind us, and I wanted to provide a challenge to them and have some fun in the process. I picked up the pace and drilled it pretty solid. Kevin Murray stayed back to help pick up the pieces when I blew up. As I attacked I quickly caught Kevin Cox. Kevin quickly was behind me, giving his normal words of encouragement....he has got to be one of the nicest racers out there. No matter what is going on, he will cheer for you. We need more people like that.
The second guy is sponsored by Vicious cycles and seemed interested in putting on a bit more of a fight. He surged a little, and I quickly nailed it on the up-hills. He was on a 29 inch wheeled bike that went down hill and through corners like they weren't there, but seemed to suffer a small penalty going up hill....so I took advantage of this and made that my area to go. Soon enough I was on my own. Lap 2 was done and I kept the steam on for Lap 3 and Lap 4. I was putting down 31 minute lap times and feeling strong, but knowing that I would pay for this later in the race. As the laps ticked away I realized I was still holding steady. I even took the Hard Tail out for a lap, spun that one in 35 minutes....one of my slower laps. By this time, I had a fair gap to the field, except for Kevin Murray from my own team. He was 5 minutes back and the rest of the racers were at least 5 or 6 minutes off of him. I slowed up a bit, and he surged forward at the 4 hour mark and we rode together for the last lap and a half. We discussed about how to finish...race it out, or ride it solid but together and take the 1/2 placing as a team. We decided that we should not beat up on each other, and we would just aim to keep Rittling off of our wheel. Bike Factory Racing would have the 1/2 slots in the Enduro Race. That last lap we rode solidly, it was about a 33 minute lap time. Kevin would work harder than me on the uphills and I would work harder than him through the corners and downhills. All the time we continued to put more time on the field. In the end we came across the line together in a tie. Our closest competitor would finish about 14 minutes later. An awesome ride for all of us.
The rest of the team did great as well.

Shannon-in her first race EVER took 10th in the beginner women, but would have been much higher if she was not dropping chains off of an old JAMIS hardtail....we gotta get her on a Trek or Fisher product....and soon.

Christy won the women's Sport
Denelle won the women's Enduro (made it look easy)
Ken took 2nd in the Vet Sport
Jeremy Took 3rd in the Expert Pro (on a rigid SS against the geared guys)
Dave finished mid pack in the Expert Pro-solid ride, but damn that was a fast crowd


HUGE thanks to Dad and Jason for the Pit crew....we needed and used them the whole race.


Walnut Creek Chimney Chase
Great race too. The weather held off until the very end. Dave and Jeremy rode in the Expert/Pro race, Jason rode in the Sport race, and I raced Clydesdale.....yup clydesdale. IN order to qualify for Clydes, I had to tow a BOB trailer loaded with medical gear....as I was the medic for the event as well.
Race went great. Matt Bailey showed up and threw down a commanding performance to take 1st, Jeremy was cruising to 2nd place in front of Bob Anderson before he crashed and ended up in 3rd place. Dave came in for a solid 4th place finish at the event. Jason ended up beating his target time for the event, which is the most important thing. I am not sure what his placing ended up being. James and CRC put on an incredible event....nice job guys.

-Shawn


Shawn with BOB trailer


Thanks to Sean Gallagher for the pics!!!