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.
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. I needed DH tires, but tire selection in Downieville was almost non-existant. Note: bring a tire selection to Downieville.
4. The course was really sharp. Lots of people flatting in practice. I got 7.

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. 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.

3rd Devide. If you know this trail, then you know truely scary speed. I was half way down, 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.

"I'm out. Fuck!" Only one tube left, 'cause I got 7 flats in practice over the two days before the event. It takes me a minute or two to regain composure. I decide to fix the rear. While fixing the rear I realize that I really have to keep racing. DNF is a four letter word.

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

I dedicated this effort to Missy Giovie. She cemented herself as a hero in my book when I was spectating at 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 decending to go. I keep at it. I pedal out first devide as hard as I could. 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.

Spectators are going nuts all along the trail. Riders give condolences and props. 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 talking to Mark Weir later and he was stoked 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, It was straight as an arrow and I even reused the spokes and nipples on the rebuild.

Post race pics