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Race CommentaryJohn Kinnee Andrea Jones Highlight of the course was the plunge at the end of the lap. What
fun Leo Devellian That was nice. Perfect weather, dry conditions and maybe the nicest EFTA course out there. Lots of credit to the organizers for putting together a great event! I had never biked at the Pinnacle but something seemed familiar about the place. When I came across the big ski jump, I realized I had competed in New England Ski Jumping Championship at the Pinnacle while in high school. I had a good jump in 1982 and good race this year. Michelle Wilson What a beautiful sunny day for a race. It was about time and a good thing too cause the course held up to it's reputation. Climb, climb, climb...heart rate goes ballistic, lungs gasp for air, and legs develop convulsing alien creatures within. Andrea and I were climbing hills together. I was wheezing and my ears were popping like I was on an aircraft. She wasn't talking. I knew something was wrong. I managed to say "Andrea my ears are pounding so much it's killing me". She gaspingly said "That's not your ears. That's your heart pounding so loudly it's deafening. Let's settle down and get our heart rates down." After that we continued to ride the first lap together (me sticking to her wheel then actually riding together). I fell down on almost every rock wall and fell off the ladder bridge too. The beginning of my second lap the leg cramps kicked in and I couldn't keep the pace up those hills again. Andrea must have been holding back cause she went on to win it. After several miles and chewing on 3 Engervit tablets (I discovered these last year in France and they really do work) the legs cramps were easing and I was soon enjoying the race. Although, I was riding a bit slower it wasn't until the second lap that I decided I liked the course. I successfully rode over every rock wall and bridge this time around. I ripped through that downhill with a huge smile on my face. I'm glad us gals protested to do a second lap. The ladder bridges were fun and challenging. The downhill and plunge were sweeeeeeet! Wil Malonson Scott Kirschner A hoard of Sport Vets and myself took off and headed up the hill, and up, then up some more. Hit some nice, twisty singletrack where I kept thinking, "It would be great to come here and ride for fun; nice trail." About mile 4-5, flat tire. The hoard passes me. Mile 6, throw chain. Start pacing with Abbie (great job for first sport race). Fun downhill and glad I practiced on the Plummet (really fun). Head up for lap two. About mile 4 of the second lap, SNAP! broke my Ellsworth Truth in 2 places (and have pictures to prove it). Walked and coasted back downhill to amuse everyone. Tom Varga Hank Kells This was another difficult race. Only three started the race in Sport Clydesdale Class and I was the only one who finished. Andrea and Michelle caught up to me about 3/4 through the first lap (when we missed a turn) and I rode with Andrea until about half way through the second lap when she finally dropped me in the technical singletrack (I passed her on the climbs). I kept thinking "Don't crash", so maybe I didn't ride as aggressively as I could/should have but at least I finished the race. Brian Nash Andy Sherman I liked all the new singletrack and the overall feel for the course, climbs and all. The muddy fireroad was surprisingly tough for me - lots of bunching up and a long climb with difficultult getting traction. It was key to come off this piece of road with the right positioning for the singletrack that followed, 'cause it was hard to pass for a couple of miles. It's a great venue but I didn't do anything to get excited about.
Maxine Conifey What a race? Those hill climbs sucked, my god how many miles of hills can one get in a 9mile race. The Pinnacle certainly packed them in , ok you all warned me and I suppose if I'm going to get better at this mountain bike malarkey I'm just gonna have to suck it up and learn to climb hills like a mountain goat. About 6miles into the race I clearly had my mind set on never ever doing this race again, I was in pain and all alone still bloody climbing, being overtaken by the expert racers...I tried again to finish before being lapped but it was not to be.Then yippee, I hit the sweet single track and downhill sections and cleared them like the experts..wow this was a fun race again and all was forgotten.The last stretch to the plummet was fantastic, I came out of the woods and spotted this ramp, wee hee I thought as I launched my bike off it & successfully landed it..yeah I'm getting good at this. Then came the Plummet, I screamed what side and how do I ride it, the reply was take the right, get your ass on the back wheel & don't touch the brakes. Whoosh, I think I screamed and yip-peed loud enough for the next state to hear me but I made it and hurled round the last section in the big ring to the finish. Again another successful race, no spills and no mechanicals. Think I might even try it again next year! David Currie Always loved this course. A true classic in its second year. This time the dry course just made it that much more sweet. Long climbs, steep descents, awesome single track. I'll definately be back. |
