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Recap of Estrella Race on 2/21/2009 (by Brian Willess)

Another great race day. I started on the front line and had a great start, I was actually riding in first place once we hit the trail. I stayed in first place for a few minutes and then I was passed by two riders. The course starts with a lot of mild up hill trail with lots of rocks. I hunkered down, found a taller gear and cranked. At one point I saw a rider on the side fixing a flat, I think is was the first place rider (good for me, bad for him), but I'm only too familiar with his situation. Anyway, still cranking. I was doing great passing many of the 30 - 39 riders. After the 4-mile hill the trail turns technical, large rocks, washes to ride into and out of. Once I hit the tech section there was not much passing going on, you can only ride that stuff so fast. I had a small crash exiting one wash, held up about 4 riders, but was quickly back on my bike in front of them.

Brian Sucking Wind at start

(Brian Sucking Wind at the start)

At this point I had a spectacular almost crash! I was going fast when I got off the line. I was heading for this bolder (~3' diameter), I was surly going to nail it. Somehow I dismounted my bike (at speed) kept running beside it and got back on the bike at speed! I'm not sure how it all happened but it was a very nice save.

About this time a guy in my class, Paul, passed me (and commented on the nice save). I did a good job of keeping him in my sights, but I could not catch him until the helicopter. I guess a female rider took a hard fall and they air lifted her out (found out later she was fine). When we got to the scene the helicopter was just taking off, so the racers had to stop. There were about 7 of us queued up (including team mate Bryan first in line) waiting for the go ahead. Once we got the green light a young rider from the back of the queue sprinted past us all. We quickly approached a very steep sandy downhill into a wash and Bryan crashed on the up hill side, so we all got off our bikes and ran up the hill. From there the trail is mostly flat with lots of flowing single track, I kept Paul in my sights but could not gain on him.

The next major terrain change is a nice long slightly steeper hill. I did my best to climb fast, but it's hard when you can't get your breath. At the summit I heard a rider right behind me, so I kicked it up a notch. I pretty much sprinted the rest of the way down the large fast hill then to the finish line. I found out later it was Bryan trying to get my on the hill.

I ended up in third place only 20 seconds behind Paul who got second. The race was fun, everyone on the course was friendly with encouraging words, just a fun bunch of people. My friend Jeff also raced and placed 5th in his age group (50+).

Lessons learned this race: