This year the SERC season started in Newberry, Florida at Hailes Trails. Racing at the famous Haile's Trails is a once or twice a year thing so you've got to grab that chance. This is such a great place to race on so many levels. The place has it all from challenging your technical skills, to your desire of conquering the steeps and it will truly test your heart at the same time that it captures it.
The mid-morning raindrops left the rocks temporarily slick for the Category 1 crew, but as the skies cleared and the conditions for the racers changed to firm and tacky by the start of the race. The race started out fast. With a long straight away leading to a sharp left hander into the singetrack. Racers jockeyed hard for position. As having the lead into the woods would have an advantage. I was able to enter the woods in seventh. I knew I had some work to do. Instead of pancaking I opted to not let it bother me and to trust my skills along with fitness.
The race demands you go hard in every section of old quarry singketrack to hold your position and then try to hang on in the fire road sections. I settled into a good group after the first section of punchy hills and about halfway through the first lap, I put in a couple of big efforts and made a few passes on the singletrack. After I completed the first lap I was feeling the effects of those efforts and had to dig deep. Since this was my second race back since my broken ankle. I tried my best to keep the pace up for lap two and carry as much speed as possible around each tree and rock on my way to the finish. It was great to be riding the course on a perfect day. I am pleased to have finished fourth for the day!
I would like to sincerely say thank you to our sponsors for having such a caring and giving heart because without their support for events like this it would not have been possible. Thank you ESI Grips, Honey Stinger, Togs and Vittoria Tires
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