Race Results

Race Commentary

Dawn Kaczor
Sport – Veteran - 3rd place – 1:55:04
After all the nice dry spring weather we’ve been having, who would have thought it would downpour on yet another NECS series race? Thank you rain Gods! I think it may have helped me secure the 3rd place spot since my racing style is not suited to fast, non-technical courses. The rain made it slippery for everyone. After pre-riding this course on Saturday and feeling pretty tired after one lap, my strategy included some heavy duty pacing. But, I think I overdid it a bit, as I finished the race with still lots of gas in the tank. At the starting line, I felt really felt nubile, as every single sport woman racer passed me by. Then it seemed I did quite a bit of riding alone, making my way like a turtle through the mud. As I started the ascent towards the finish line, I was depressed that all the spectators had left. Was I really that slow? Imagine my surprise, when I saw that I came in third out of seven sport veteran women, and I took home some hardware! This was a fun, fast race.

Christopher Smith
Single Speed – 3rd - 1:30:51
I felt good. In my group, there were about a dozen single-speeders. I had to fight through a lot of traffic throughout the race. My grips came loose and were spinning. This made the downhills a little scary. Coming down the final stretch I saw Sally and she said to me "he's right there!" I looked ahead at a group of four and realized one of them was a single speeder. We were in a muddy section and they where single file to the right. I slipped and slid though the middle of the mud and I didn't think I was going to be able to stay up. But I did, and passed the group. The guy on the single speed saw me and tried to chase, but I just kept sprinting and hoping the finish wasn't too far away. I held him off to take 4th.

Reenie Greene
Single Speed - 1st - 1:52
The race started badly for me. I got muddy water in my eyes on the first downhill and couldn't see a thing. I managed to stay upright, but when I got to the first turn, all I could see were fuzzy green things on the left, so I went left. I caught up to some spectators and one of them let me know I was going the wrong way. Once I got going the right way and I could see again, the rest of the race was great. I run a low gear, which hindered my speed on the flats and downhills, but I made all the climbs except the little rooty singletrack that was faster to run anyway. I didn't even mind the rain - it kept the bugs away and kept the temps comfortable.

Hank Kells
Sport - Clydesdale - 4th - 1:48:20
This was my first race in Sport Class and it was a blast! Of course, it had to rain. Wanting to pace myself, I started off near the back and passed a lot of people as the race went on. My first two laps were about 35 min. each. On the third lap, my legs started to burn but I was able to keep spinning and didn't cramp. I only dabbed once during the entire race, at the top of the steep singletrack climb with roots at the top on my third lap and this is where Tristram passed me. Many thanks to the people who were cheering at the end of each lap: Max, Sally and Frank.

Dodd Lyles
Sport – Veteran - 20th - 1:37:05
It was a beautiful day for a race ((NOT)). I had a great start and I loved the fast downhill sections of the course. I got into a good rhythm and was pacing with another Rager (Patrick Sport/ Senior 2) for the 2nd and 3rd lap of the race. When I came to the finale climb I was dead so jogged the bike up to the crest of the last hill and cruised to the finish line. I was glad to get the race over with but it was good to see so many Ragers on and off the course cheering. Thanks to all.

Scott Kirschner
Sport – Veteran – 43rd – 1:52:27
Well, self-promoted to Sport to avoid "Sandbagging" label, but have not been able to train to the appropriate Sport level - yet. I tried to warm up a bit, but the cold rain wasn't making it happen. Went off with the first Veteran group and got blocked by big crash in the mud on the downhill, but I don't think it mattered. Halfway through the second lap, my back started to spasm (second year in the last three that's happened at Wahoo) and my legs started cramping. Went through two GU packs, which helped, but I had nothing. Seems like just about every Rager passed me. I've finished every race I've started and was determined this would be no different. That's the best thing I can say: I finished on my bike. Nowhere to go but up!

Jonny Mac
Sport - Veteran - 29th - 1:41:37
Ah, the pure joy of mountain bike racing. Roadie course, you say? Non-technical? How about adding in pouring rain? How about a mass start descent down Crisco?

Sport vet was split into two groups and provided double the crashes for the fans. Our group went first and there was a big stack up right as the group hit the first mud bog on the descent. After untangling from the mess, the leaders were gone, but I hammered after a jersey I thought was Dodd's. Turned out it was Matt Potter, who had untangled himself from the Sport Senior II crash.

I pedaled like crazy, running from the image of being passed by Comber and having to hear about that for the next several weeks.

Rode in a pace-line through laps one and two and then when the gas started to run out, Nasher passed me and got the juices flowing again.

Thanks Sally, Frank, Maxine and the entire Rage cheering section -- you guys were the difference between turning for the parking lot and keeping going.

Now, Scott & Curt -- how's the crow taste? Ready to eat those roadie comments? Ha.

Monica Boyle
Sport -Senior II - 5th place - 2:06:20
It's been one year since I raced cross-country...and it was the Wahoo 2003. That year I got hurt and DNF’ed. This year proved to be entirely the opposite. This was my first Sport race that I felt wonderful racing in! I started out relaxed and kept that feeling though the whole event. I pushed hard, but smart and I had an awesome time! Thanks to the "Rage Fans!" Curt, thanks for taking my jacket. That made a huge difference.

Rusty Nelson
Expert - Senior I - 8th - 2:13:27
My race report is going to be a series of apologies. First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the Rage team for disgracing them with such a poor performance. I apologize to the Rage fans that had to watch me grimace and suffer to the top of the hill right before the lap. I apologize to my legs for not making time to train to give myself enough endurance to finish a 25-mile race without bonking. I apologize to Hank for making him help me off my bike after the race because I couldn't do so myself.

On a lighter note, the new Team Rage shorts have the most comfortable chamois that I have ever used.

Brian McInnis
Expert - Veteran - 20th place – 2:07:12
I love to race, and it is always fun to hang with the fine folks from rage.

Tim Nelson
Novice – Veteran - 19th – 1:23:49
Not even a minute into the race on the first downhill my tube that was tucked up under my seat managed to come un-done and wrap itself around the cassette, brakes & frame. After wrestling with it for a few minutes I was off...again. Great course but was not expecting the weather. The mud wreaked havoc at least half a dozen times throwing my chain off when I tried to drop into my granny on some of the climbs. I saw three people down, two looked pretty bad. Thank goodness I didn't wipe out. The first lap I felt like I was climbing forever, but I'm just way out of shape. Hit 31 mph on one of the hills, what a blast! I did a little bit better than I thought I would. The support along the course really helped. Can't wait for the next race I'll be able to do. This was only my second race ever and the last one was three years ago. My goal is to finish the year with a top ten finish! Wish me luck.

Barry Petzold
Novice - Senior II - 2nd -1:04:12
I didn’t have a very good start, and ended up almost losing sight of the entire group by the end of the first downhill. At that point, I think I was in last. When we hit the first set of hills, I started passing quite a few people. I lost track of who was in my age group when I started catching up to some of the Senior I's and Juniors. After the first lap, I saw Andy Stackhouse up the trail a bit. When I caught up to him, I think we both picked up the pace quite a bit. Two other riders were keeping up with us for a while, but dropped them when we hit a few hilly spots. We were neck-and-neck up until the last set of hills that exit the course. Luckily, I had a can of whoop ass I was saving, and ended up pulling away. :)

Great race stack! I think that’s the most fun I’ve ever had during a race. Thanks!

Oh yeah, the cheerleaders helped!! Thanks Frank and Max!

Abbie Briscoe
Sport, Senior 1, DNF
The start was a real fun long downhill. The actual course itself was pretty fast with some rocks and roots to make it bumpy. It was real wet that day so some spots were slick. What a great crowd cheering everyone on! I only made a lap and a quarter than just as I pulled up to the lead, I flatted. I wasn't carrying a spare tube and had an empty CO2 cartridge in my pump. The paramedics picked me up and drove me back to the start, which was really nice since I would have had a lot of walking to do. I'll just try again this weekend at bear brook.

Michelle Wilson
Sport – Veteran - 5th - 2:14:26
This race didn't excite me to break my last place tradition yet. Maybe, next race. And how was it possible on that course that I also missed a turn and had to double back? Mental note....stop sleeping and pay attention to arrows especially when you're all alone out there and the volunteers have gone home. Mental note2....pedal faster so you don't get all alone out there.

Wil Malonson
Expert - Master - 11th - 2:09:10
It was 8 long months between races that I forgot how to put my race face on. Maybe next race I'll apply the make-up. Or maybe the secret school training will finally pay off.

Tristram Langford
Expert - Senior II - 13th - 1:53:01
2 out of 2 for rain so far this season, once again, Mother Nature decided to play against us and change what would normally be a dry fast course into a slip and slide.

Lot's of accidents made for an eventful race, I managed to stay upright and finish my 4 laps in a reasonable time so all was well.

Hopefully Bear Brook will be dry!!

Andy Sherman
Sport – Master - 6th - 1:34.49
The real story for me was not the race itself but the fact that I was able to race at all. Nine days before the Wahoo, I broke my Turner XCE frame in two places simultaneously when a weld at the bottom bracket failed and the seat tube right above that snapped. I immediately called Turner and they were cooperative, but indicated they probably wouldn't be able to get me a replacement in time for the race.

Thinking I needed some expert help and advice, I drove down to JRA and talked to fellow Rager- Brian McInnis. Brian went into high gear with Turner. He ended up getting the replacement frame shipped two-day FedEx, worked with one of his mechanics until 10 pm one night to get me set up, and had the bike ready for me with three full days to dial it in. This was a heroic effort that had me riding comfortably on Sunday. I owe you Brian - thanks!

As for the race - fast and fun until that mud near the finish. That almost stopped me cold. I thought I was riding second in my category, but I guess a bunch of new riders (young 45 yr olds?) that I didn't recognize showed up to make the Masters more competitive.

Andrew Stackhouse
Novice - Senior II - 3rd - 1:04:36
A really fun race, beside the mosquitoes, all the more rewarding as somehow the Raleigh survived. I had my misgivings that the opening downhill would be her doom, and when I nearly collided with some goombah, who decided to hit the mud hole laterally at about Mach 3, I figured she was taking me with her. Full of adrenaline, and relieved the frame did not blow up, I raced up the first hill and found myself in first place for the first time ever. About half way in the first lap my confidence built to the point that I convinced myself I was going to win this thing by about 5 minutes. Then I hit the hills, and the eventual winner caught me like I was standing still. I stayed in front until I saw Hank (or Tim? I was delirious, and all you Clydesdales look the same from behind...) and he enquired as to the competing rider performing a colonoscopy on me.

I got my second wind in the flats and hung out by myself until Barry rolled by. He and I bounced back and forth for the remainder of the lap, trash talking the whole way around the course. I knew I was in trouble when he calmly started rattling off South Park quotes while I was hyperventilating. Somehow I held on, and when he misjudged the last turn going into the final climb, I squirt ahead figuring I had him beat. Within seconds, Barry blew past me up the hill. The nail in my coffin was watching him climb away with Maxine running alongside cheering him on. Once I finally got to her at the summit, she tried to repeat her earlier enthusiasm, but was breathless from yelling for Barry, leaving me feeling small, unloved, and slow.

Leo Kiefer
Sport - Senior II - 19th 1:40:47
It's official; and to my great surprise the lack of winter training does not improve race times. Thanks everyone for the support section. It was really helpful. Especially on the last climb where Maxine and Frank literally pulled me up the hill with their verbal abuse. I could not believe the profanity coming from such a pretty gal (talking about Max not you FNG). Thanks again.

Tim O'Loughlin
Novice - Clydesdale - 4th - 1:26:18
Well, after 7 visits to the chiropractor in 4 weeks, and the last three months with no training to speak of...I was just looking to finish and see how my body was going to hold up for the coming season. To my surprise I felt pretty good off the start and did not have what felt like knives in my lower back until half way through the second lap. I would absolutely BOMB the downhills on this course and blow by a half dozen guys then slowly give them their places back on the climbs. Oh well, time to train I guess. Was real happy to make the halfway point in my class and am looking forward to Bear Brook. Was also real happy to see such a turn out of Ragers... man we filled the race up...

Leo Devellian
Expert – Veteran - 7th - 1:53:08
Woke up Monday and felt pretty good. Strange. No bumps, no blood and no dehydration induced stupor. "Post-race" Mondays, I sometimes feel like I slammed an Oak, body surfed a rock garden or raced through the Amazon Jungle (is it always 100 degrees with 100% humidity in the Wompatuck Rain Forest?). Hey, I'll admit it; I enjoy the friendly fire roads at the Wahoo. It's a nice "warm-up" before the real excitement (and punishment) gets under way. I need to ease into this stuff, shake off the rust and remember how to ride my mtn. bike. Bigger battles are right around the corner. Mt Snow will be here before we know it, sign-up for the VT50 is in just a couple days (May 25th, don't forget!). See you there. Great job at the Wahoo everyone!

Max Saunders
Novice - Senior II - 7th - 1:10:51
What can I say about this race? It was my first time doing this race and was pleasantly surprised on how fast it was. At first I was a little disappointed by the rain but I think it made the race even better because it added the sketch factor on the down hills.

Tom Varga
Sport – Veteran - 13th - 1:32:54
I hung back a little at the start expecting a pile-up midway down the starting hill at the mud pit. As expected, the wreckage was massive. :) I settled in to a nice pace and eventually hooked up with a group of 5 guys pushing a pace I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep. Boy, was it great incentive to try though!

On the final loop, I managed to pass all of them on the hill and even one more just before the finish line. Man, did that feel great! It's too bad 2 of them had orange stickers, so their times were better than mine. Oh well. Anyway, the interesting thing is that the two things that I most thought that I wouldn't like about this race ended up being what I DID like. I loved the high-speed fire-roads and riding in tight groups constantly trading positions. What a blast.

Joe Stein
Sport, Senior II, 24th – 1:50:23
As my first race in sport, I knew things would be ugly but not this ugly. My first lap was relative slow, but I finally fell into a steady groove on the second lap. But by then it’s mostly a game of catch-up. I stayed in the big ring and locked out my rear suspension for most of the race, which improved efficiency. Almost ate it on that first hairpin turn, which I approached too quickly, and ended up having mechanical problems on the final lap. But other than that, I had a great race with some great people. Definitely looking forward to some more technical riding at Bear Brook...

Philip Golden
Sport - Senior II - 15th - 1:37:27
All-in-all, a good race. Aside from some chainsuck issues due to the rain and mud, everything went well. The descent out of the start was pretty wild; two people crashed right in front of me...at the same time! It was like the red sea parting -one guy went left and the other right. I would've liked to finish higher, but that will require some work on the bike. I am also wondering the next time I'll do a non-rain drenched race - I did the VT50 last year, 24hrs great glen etc etc.

Dan Hurwitz
Novice – Masters - 10th - 1:21:20
I was psyched. I was strong. I was ready. Loved the course last year, loved it again this year. I had my new Diadora shoes with the big spikes and the new Ti Eggbeaters, together which saved over a full pound over my old shoe/pedal combination, not counting the extra pounds the shoes picked up when water- and mud logged (not that it's ever muddy during a mtb race). I've been putting big miles on my road bike commuting back and forth to work, 19.5 miles each way, so I felt in great shape. I carbo loaded the days leading up to Sunday and drank coffee before the race and did the right warm-up and had my GU taped to the stem for easy access during the race. Who cares if it was raining? It was nothing compared to my last race (last year's VT 50), and I had a new Panaracer on the rear for traction and a semi-slick on the front for speed.

I was ready.

So what happened? Why only a mid-pack finish? Don't know, no answer. Despite the rain, the course had fairly good traction all but a few places. I felt good the entire race, climbed strong until the finish, never bonked. I guess I'm just slow. I'll have to work on that some more. I did slow down a few times to let my heart rate get back down below the 165, which my cardiologist says is OK for me. I also slowed a few more times to avoid becoming one with the mud and rocks and trees. Still, I had a lot of fun. As always, the camaraderie was great, the Rage cheering section at the top of the hill was inspiring (loved the pom-poms), and the Harpoon Orange and Cream soda afterwards in the parking lot with Kiwi and company was too delicious for words (no beer for this boy who had to drive home after a race). All-in-all, a successful day. I just wish I had done a bit better. Can't wait until next Sunday.

Mark E. Michalak
Sport - Senior II – DNF
My first DNF, and I was not too happy about it either. I was having drive train issues for most of the first lap. Then near the end of my 2nd lap I had complete rear derailleur failure. It was very discouraging. But I had everything repaired and I can’t wait for the next race.

Brian Wade
Novice - Senior I - 2nd – 1:08:12
It was a good overall race with a hairy start, Got boxed in the on the first downhill, getting pushed off the course, due to muddy conditions and not to many good lines to get out front.

On lap one I got out and back behind the leader, trying to gain and read his lead. This was my first race and I wasn't sure how to judge the field. I was comfortable and ready to Hon in on his lead. I kept a good pace and tried to excel on the flats and push it on the hills. I had a quick problem in the major uphill trying to get around others in other classes. I got stuck halfway up when someone fell, I quickly tried to help him up and regain my own composure, and catch back up to the next major group. I was a good first lap and I learned allot. The second was much faster with the field more spread out.

At the end of the second lap, the cowbells were ringing and I couldn't wait to push it on the two-way trail out, battling with someone next to me making strides back and forth from leading the pack.

I can't wait for the next race, Bear Brook. I am hooked!

Korena Larson
Novice – Veteran – 3rd – 1:17:53
After taking some time off of racing, I successfully completed the 2 laps required for novice. I now racing in the vet category, age is catching up to me. The first lap was painful and it wasn't until the second lap that I started to feel better. I enjoyed the rain and mud. It was a fun and fast race. I got 3rd place in my category.

Matt Potter
Sport - Senior II – 22nd – 1:43:32
A great race! Super fast! At least in the 1st lap, and fun all around. Interesting crash in the start of the Sport Senior II in that surprise mud bog that caused several wipe-outs - from my perspective it looked like someone actually ended up upside-down and lodged in between two trees... - Maybe that was just early onset delirium coming on as I negotiated the mud and 2 other racers who were in mid-crash at 20+ MPH.

Next couple of laps I learned that winter hibernation is not a good training tactic. After I got passed by Johnny Mac who started 10 minutes after me I knew it was time to hit the Powergel and Cytomax, which resulted in a crash while trying to open the Powergel - at the same time as leaning into a sandy corner. After I dusted myself off I surged towards the finish in the granny gear...to take a hard fought 22nd place!

Jo Hodge
Novice - Veteran – 8th – 1:26:02
Started the race well, led for the first half an hour or so but knew I wouldn't last the whole race. Eventually the effects of being a lazy cow all winter came into play and I very quickly slipped down the places. On the up side though, I did get to chat to a lot of people as they passed me, which was cool.