The Warda Presented by Bikesport MTB Race
(3/4/2006)

"Morning Shenanigans"
Justin Cremer

I rolled into Warda late – really late. Thanks to my very cleverly forgetting my Norba license at work, and very cleverly printing the directions such that such small details like road names, turning directions, and distances were left off, AND very conveniently running out of printer ink at the same time AND very conveniently remembering I didn’t have a single dollar for those *&%$*-ing land-access fees, We rolled into Bluff Creek ranch about 25 minutes before start time. Thank god I pre-registered for once!
 
I changed and headed to registration as the more beautiful and charming part of Team Cremer moved to the Bikesport tent. I picked up my number just as breakfast and the morning go-faster drink knocked on nature’s door. And hey! Here came my wife with my trainer and I still had about 15 minutes to warm up. Still, my nerves were absolutely crackling from the loused-up schedule and I really needed it. But the warm up really only gave me a minute to say hi to the guys, and eat a couple of Oreos (since I left my sophisticated energy foods in the car) but didn’t do much else for me.
 
I got a reasonable position on the starting line, in the middle right behind the top tens. The gun went of and we went, but my mini-warm-up wasn’t enough and it seemed like I was being swallowed by the field. It felt like my cranks were about 4 inches long – no power. Heading into the woods I was 15th at best guess – waay further back than I wanted to be and way too far back to have a chance of figuring out where I was.
 
I managed to make a couple passes in the tight upper loop, but I was still nervous for the morning shenanigans and I dabbed on a couple of the sandy turns. I found myself following two messy riders that came to a near-stop before each turn, then sprinted to the next. Even though we were going slow, I felt tired and winded. I found myself coasting a lot and getting really antsy. The trail opened up and damnit if they didn’t sprint off. This really messed with my head. I started thinking that this was the best I could do. I was just thinking I was going to have to sit behind these guys for the next three miles, when I saw a gap and reflexively jumped for it. I got around both of them on the inside and I pushed it up onto the big chainring. I surprised myself with my acceleration and fell into a pace and gear that felt comfortably like my into-the-wind commute home.
 
Several more passes and I inched up on a couple guys that were moving fast: a PedalMasher guy in the lead and a Ride Away Bikes guy following.  I gained on them slowly and it didn’t seem like I was going to be able to make a pass stick. I followed them for a couple of miles, watching their form and waiting for a mistake, but I didn’t see any. We headed up the steeply pitched Mule Trace and I made my move. The red-and-black Ride Away guy didn’t give an inch and I had to practically elbow my way around him. I beat him to the top, but I was dangerously burned.
 
I pushed back up onto the big ring and it seemed like I was gapping him. I dove down that nasty brick-step-hill thing (nearly killing myself) and then muscled up the steep climb.  I could feel my heart rate climbing and my breathing was following suit. I up-shifted, focusing my attention on lifting my legs and working the two legs together to balance each other. I was picking up speed and all the sudden the hill was over and we were heading around the lake. I was gaining slowly on the Pedalmasher guy and it seemed that if I was able to catch him, it was going to be a painful pass. But just then he reached for his bottle, slowing down! I stood up and passed him in time to dive under him in the sharp hairpin in the campground. My lungs were really scorching now, but I was amped! I had clear trail ahead for the second lap and I was feeling good.
 
I blew through the feed zone, grabbing a hand-up on the way. I pounded into the woods and got a look across at the first tight turn and my two guys were right there! Crap. I had to gap them so I could relax a bit, so I kept pushing that big ring and to try to get away.
 
I ran up on a lapper and was looking for a pass. I told him I was an S2 so he wouldn’t fight me and he moved over for me right away – hey, that worked pretty good! I came up on another lapper and announced myself before I got there and he moved over right away – awesome! No time lost! Then another, then another! Each one seemed to boost me faster. I looked back and the lapper had sped up and was behind me. Good, this meant my guys were further back – and he might provide some interference. A few more turns and I checked again and the blue and white of Pedalmasher was there again with his red-and-black Ride Away counterpart close behind! Crap! These guys are fierce! I must be in the top ten – they aren’t giving up anything!

I got out on the upper pasture again and I was moving so fast I almost jumped the cattle gate! I looked up to see if there was anyone I could catch and –based on their pace – there was no one. On the next turn I stole a look back and my guys had switched places and the red-and-black was behind me now – Pedalmasher was dropped! But the red-n-black was gaining! He was closing the gap!
 
I dove down mule trace like I was trying to fly. I got to the bottom and pushed as fast as I could push. He was 15 feet behind me now! Must’ve been slow coming out of the turn. We headed up the climb and he was in perfect passing position. No way! I’m back on the big chainring and diving back down the hill like a madman. At the bottom, he’s out of my peripheral vision now, but I’m getting weaker. Climbing again and I’m standing up on the middle chainring. I can hear people – almost to the top. We come out of the woods, the trail levels a little and I’m imagining him gaining on me as I’m pushing the big gear again. I hear a friend: “Good job Justin! Way to go!” then “you’re done Justin.” Oh yeah – the finish line. Thank God!

It was good enough for fourth and I am ecstatic to be back in the mix!