EFTA Clifford Park; One-two punch

The usual crew was going to be absent, so I was told to go and represent the team. Before the race two others NEBC kits appeared, Norm and another unknown rider. We all raced in the Sport catgegory.

Results;
Keith: Sport SR2; 1st
Norm Collard: flat; fixed and continued for a workout

I arrived early, pre-rode the entire loop. Picked a technical line across a boulder gap that appeared 'on course' which timid riders would skirt. Conditions are said to be drier than last year. Still, very technical and some mud to contend with in the lower regions. Lots of jagged rocks, drops and step-ups.

Lap 1: Race starts with bumping and rubbing of knobbies, a few almost go down. I'm about 10+ back headed into the bottleneck of tight single track- from the onset it's very technical most can't ride with all of the bodies. One quarter lap into the lap I take the fast line over the boulder gap and passed 6 riders. I get called out as a cheater; not going to let that happen I tell my opponent I'll go back. Dismount, return back and went around. I re-pass him a minute later. Next I pass my old competition 'Jelly Belly' among others.

Lap 2: I am in the midst of the single speeders and follow a guy named Billy through some technical sections; he's really in control and smooth. Looks like he knows every line here. I out gear him on the flats and pass. Return to the bolder gap proves my previous line is 'on course'- I lost precious time! Carnage begins; lots of mechanicals around- chain suck and flats. Who's left ahead? I pick off what appears to be the remaining Sport riders in my wave.

Lap 3: The second of 3 wet spots had a 3 foot wide crossing- exiting into a silty uphill. One guy looks to be bathing next to his bike, having fallen back into the drink. I recall a comment by a local- she saw a bobcat here two days ago, speed boost. Passing the now upright bather I start to catch riders. I get a call-out from an expert that there's 4 bikes in front of me with a sport vet up ahead. Usually it's very hard to tell who's who (classification/age) in these races, so this tip was unusual. I reeled in the 4 experts and search for the Vet- no where in sight. I cross the line @ 1h 25m and find out that I missed the overall win by 30 seconds.

Single speed 'Billy' finishes and comes over at the end to shake hands. I find out he rides there every week.

Ben Moody (expert) did his 4 laps in 1h 35m, insane!

The next race is this coming weekend- Moody Park in Claremont, New Hampshire. This venue was my first mtb race and is one of my favorites. If you're tempted to mtb race, this is the one for you. Not very technical, roadie friendly and features the 'gravity cavity'. I'll miss it for Fitchburg.

see http://efta.com


The day started out with cool temps and just prior to race time it warmed up. Off the Maine turnpike I stopped to confirm directions and a local told me about a Bobcat sighting she had in Clifford Park two days ago. Ok, if I go slow I can just think of a ferocious feline!

I arrived early enough for good parking and enough time to take a full pre-ride lap. This course was advertised as the most technical in the Maine series. Coming off the last race I figured I could snag some more points on a technical course, where I am going to miss my favorite Moody Park (Longsjo conflict).

True to form, just after a gravel fire road it turns technical right away. 'twitchy' (tight) turns, jagged rocks, short drops and step-ups, roots, trees every where. Ok, you get the point- tough to maneuver and plenty to have a mechanical on. There's no way 30+ guys are going to fit in this tight single track.

I pick my pressure and my lines on the pre-ride. One quarter into the lap there's a boulder gap with a rock bridge. There's a secondary line the long way around- but it'll rob time. I practice the bridge once and get a good feeling about it.

Other obstacles are mud/silt areas near a stream followed by uphill sections (not good for traction) or gears.

Just before the Sport wave goes off it appears that an Expert finishes his first lap, no f-in way; that was like 10 minutes! Must have been Ben Moody or a late arrival, not sure which.

My competition has returned from a failed Expert race- wearing his Jelly Belly uniform. Not sure if that's Kosher with the rules (you can't downgrade). The race starts with a bump-fest. Guys are swerving and rubbing knobbies and flailing into one another. I miss the important hole shot and get behind 10 or more riders. I move up a few positions in the tight single track. 1/4 way in there's my rock bridge- I take it passing 6 guys. One calls me out saying I'm cheating. I dismount, run back and take the slow line saying I'll see him in a minute. Shortly I'm back and pass him. Clearly on lap#2 it is part of the course, damn I lost a minute on that!