3rd Cholla Challenge 4-4-09

Snow covered Utah from north to south as we drove in and out of blizzard/snow squalls. With in 40 minutes of the venue we dropped 2000 ft into a oasis valley of 60 degree sunshine. where I raced with just arm warmers. My second race with the 29 inch wheels left no doute when me and the biggest horse left out of the gate and gapped away on the first turn. With 300 meters to the first single track approaching I launch with discouraging momentum and enter technical single track with a 5-10 second gap. From there I just checked out what the bike could do and found my self off the front by seconds for 19 of the 22 miles. lamenting to a fully ridged single speed 29r ( surprise) first and last years state champ within 2 minutes of the finish line.who was too disappointed he didn't win by the usual several minutes and didn't show for the podium, "sand bagging" and still failing is a heavy task master for those type. I wrecked once allowing them to see me restarting and had younger expert age groups pride blocking in the single track. Last year I finished 8th, so hopefully things are getting faster.
Team " MonaVie/Cannondale" swept the top 3 in the pro men, impressive team in cyclocross and the XC circuit