Downieville Classic 2006

Intro

Great race results for all the wrong reasons.

Pre-Race Problems Galore

1. The race filled in less than 3 days. My wife and I were on the wait list, so we had to be at the top, the morning of the race, just to find out if we could race. We were able to race at the last minute.
2. My fox 36 breaks the clamps just a week and a half before the race. They would not get me the fork back in time, so I had to borrow any fork that I could get. John came through with a beat down Psylo that barely worked. I swallowed my pride and took the fork.
3. The course was really sharp. Lots of people flatting in practice. I got 7. This year, DH tires were actually needed for the race, of which I did not bring and tire selection in Downieville was almost non-existant. Note: bring a tire selection to Downieville.

Results

EXPERT MEN (35+), #40, 1:05:35, 27th place of 30. Class Winner, 0:44:12.

What was the problem?

I was hauling ass. I rode the top of the course solid and at a respecable pace. This to spite the fact that the crappy Psylo I was running was practically ridgid. When the time came to climb, I gave it everthing and did better then I have in years. I was on track for a great finish an a great time.

It was on 3rd Devide. If you know this trail, then you know truely scary speed. I was about half way down, maybe closer to the top, hauling serious ass but riding smooth. I aired out a section and came down on a rock at top speed. Instantly, front and rear tire go flat. Double flat. My first time.

"I'm out. Fuck!" Only one tube left, 'cause I got 7 flats in practice over the two days before the event. I figured that a flat was very possible in the race, but two at once! It takes me a minute or two to regain composure. I wasted way too much time thinking that my race was over. I hadn't realized yet that it had just begun. I decide to fix the rear. While fixing the rear I realize that I really have to keep racing. Tires are mearly a concept and DNF is a four letter word.

"I'll run the front rim!" I rush to finish the rear flat fix and get back on the bike. Time to man up.

I dedicated this effort to Missy Giovie. She cemented herself as a hero in my book when I was spectating the 1990(?) DH Worlds at Mount Snow. She flatted her front tire near the top of the course. Since DH bikes still used quick releases back then, she pulled her front wheel, tore the tire off, then re-set the wheel and finished her race. She rode passed me on that rim faster than almost all the men. Hero.

It takes a while to get used to the delayed steering of the front, especially with more fast decending to go on Third Devide. I keep at it. I pedal out first devide as hard as I could, really picking up speed. I'm moving slower than with a front tire, but I'm acually moving at a good clip.

I basically rode 1/3 of the race on my front rim.

The noise made by the front rim was insane. It could be heard several corners along. It was like an alien was attacking or construction equipment racing.

Spectators are going nuts all along the trail, hooting and hollering. Riders give condolences and props as they go by. I felt mean, I figured that I looked meaner. I enter the finish line like a crazy man, out of saddle cranking power. I was the only person to ride out the rim this year.

I was talking to Mark Weir later and he was stoked, jokingly calling me "Rim Job". That nickname stuck for a while and word of my exploits had already spread to Fairfax when we got back from the race.

How did the Wheel do?

While the rim looked like hell and had worn a lot of the aluminum off on the trail, but it was straight as an arrow. I even reused the spokes and nipples on the rebuild.

Post race pics