Posted: Friday, October 5, 2007
Racer's Report: Pedal, Catch, Pedal, Catch
Racer Gunnar Shogren's reports from the trail about the 2007 Revenge of the Rattlesnake, WVMBA Ultra Series Championship
Story by Gunnar Shogren
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Pedal, catch, pedal, catch.
Making like a Pirate for most of the time, having a good time of it all. Yarrrrr.
First time I saw Matt I was 6 minutes off.
Next time I was 3.
Shortly after I saw you (referring to camera man, J.R. Petsko)
At the check point Benji was stopped, the others rolled through, I rolled through cause I had stopped at aid station 1.
So we're one big happy Tea Party of four.
Benji decides that we're going too slow, he needs to go faster to keep his big gear turning.
Then Jason got rolling ahead too.
So it's me and Steve for a while.
All along that stuff that didn't even seem like a trail but was at least rideable for the most part. I'm starting to feel the effects of chasing for that first few hours.
Then we catch Jason, right before the little road section. Steve takes off, Jason takes off, I'm stuck in my limited gear state. And feeling a bit tired indeed.
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Some time after that I get to aid station 2 and don't make the turn, take loop road to Lindey Trail, then turn around.
How far back was I from Steve and Benji when you (J.R.) and Aaron say me before hitting the aid station again?
Just down the road from #2 I see Mark Schooley and Wojoe, they ask if I'm going the right way, "oh yeah, I'm going the right way fellows".
Later I came up on them again, and let them know that I *wasn't* going the right way. Ha ha ha.
Just as I'm coming back up to #2 I see Brock coming down the hill. I signal him and we both get up the hill and onto the trail in the correct manner.
Didn't pass too many folks there after, thought I was closer to Sue than I was, but kept on trying.
Fun time. Would have liked to have not gotten off course. Would have been fun, though most likely 3rd on that day.
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There's a fine line that you tread when you have problems out racing, between staying motivated and getting back up there quickly and trying too hard too soon and burning quite a few matches.
Benji really rode well.Rode well throughout the season and he should be real pleased with his season for sure.
There's a photo from 2000 or 1999 or somewhere around there, at the Finals at Big Bear. A photo of three of us. Check it out.
Benji's pretty happy even though he didn't win (I did).
That says a lot.
Word.
