Matson Hill Race

Had been anticipating racing Sunday at Matson for a while. Friday night got slammed by rain and the Defiance area ended up with something like 2.5 inches of rain. Not good conditions for a trail about to be run over 100 times. We rode the course Saturday afternoon to get a feel for the conditions. It was damp and slick with a few good size mud pits and wet creek crossings. Legs also felt pretty bad. Wasn't very excited about showing up the following day. Throughout the rest of the afternoon, just like last time, went back and forth regarding whether or not to participate; then it started raining....hard.....for hours. Decided that was it, no race. Bedtime rolled around and checked the rainfall totals and the NWS showed just a trace of rain in Defiance somehow, so changed my mind, going to the race.

Woke up at 6AM with plenty of time to eat, pack, prep, etc. Rage Against The Machine's original self titled album has been the CD of choice for the drive to each of the three races participated in now. Got to the starting area around 8AM. Registered and dressed, ready to roll by 8:15. Did some riding around, up and down, to warm up. Paid closer attention to the start line this time and got a spot right in the front row. Knew, however, that it wasn't important as the race started with a half mile of relatively flat pavement, followed by a mile long gravel section with a steep climb, to another half mile rolling paved section before the singletrack. There would be plenty of time and space to move around and mesh in where you fit.

Go! Took the hole shot and was the first one out leading the group up the pavement, but kept my own pace and after 50 yards or so had been passed by 5 or 6 riders. That was fine with me, wanted to tuck in behind and draft until the climb anyway. The climb was tough, but not any toughter than the five times climbed it on Wednesday. Entered the woods mid pack and just stuck to the wheel of the two guys immediately ahead of me. The top three were definitely making time on us. By the time we reached the bottom of the hill there were riders behind me as well. Then the trail climbed for a bit and the second guy in our group was bobbling on the mud and wet roots. The first guy in the group was gone. It was a tough place to pass but the window opened when the guy in front of me dabbed his foot down for a moment. Accelerated past him and up the rest of the climb. The gearing on the bike (no granny ring, 34 tooth chainring, 29" wheels) gave me no choice but to climb hard. By the time crested that climb, the rider in front of me was gone, as was the rest of the group behind me. Continued on pressing to the next climb and was eventually passed by super friendly endurance racer Dwayne, he told me that we had opened a huge gap on the rest of the field. Relaxed a bit and just tried to maintain my own pace. The climb up to the lap/finish line was steep and brutal. Got up it at my own pace and felt OK at the crest. One lap.

All by myself for lap two until about halfway through passed a rider who had bent his wheel and was walking out. He was in my class but had been behind me and was done for the day. Had to stop and clean the mud out of my drivetrain and frame. It was like peanut butter, really heavy, thick , and resistant. Then came the brutal climb out where passed one of the women riders. We discussed briefly how killer that climb was and was on my way. Noticed that the trail was getting sloppier in the sloppy places and drier in the drier places. Crested the climb for the second lap and felt really good. Two Laps.

Still all by myself and hadn't seen or heard from anyone in my class. The trail descended, was all over the place, my technical skills were gone. Felt good, but my muscles must have actually been pretty fatigued. Pressed my pace on that lap and on the final climb actually got a glimpse of the rider ahead of me, but couldn't catch him. Finish.

Spent a bit of time wiping off some of the accumulated mud and talking to the other racers. Again, a really cool atmosphere and a fun time.

Since he won't say anything I will. Matt did an amazing job in his race. They started the Experts and the Singlespeeders together. Experts did five laps, SS three. Matt beat everyone (experts and SS) to the top of the King of the Mountain, and he was ahead of everyone (experts and SS) at the end of his third lap, by a couple of minutes. I have no doubt he could have ridden another two laps and taken the expert win as well.

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