Three Laps and a Finish Line yet to be marked by the 'Officials' was the race course for the inaugural epic MTB race in Southern Benson. AVC was well represented making up three out of the four
entrants.
The numbers were not in their favor come the movable finish line as
Sven from the North Country took top honors. Sven's Moonlander and big fat
larrys hummed around the course... (really… they hum, even on dirt.) Single Speed
Badger got the hole shot off the line with the pack close behind.
He boggled
the second bridge and lost the lead to Redcoat, Sven and Old Crow. OC went wide
and lost time in the under forest. The lead pack pulled away as SS Badger
drafted OC into the lower turns above the future pump track. OC went wide and
SS Badger dove to the inside muttering something about 'move Danica'. With OC
drafting SS Badger they closed back in on the leaders. At the end of lap one
there was confusion as the referees and judge (recently released from the NFL)
were screaming and throwing yellow flags. Lap two was uneventful. (OK lap two
SS badger was NOT caught skitching on Sven).
The refs were still yelling as lap
three started. Sven and Redcoat opened their lead once again and OC and SS
Badger struggled to stay in the race. End of lap three, confusion reigned as
Sven and Redcoat crossed the line (which had yet not been moved) and thought
the race was over.
Seeing the confusion with Sven and Redcoat, SS Badger got
off his butt and on the pedals. The race was not over. Sven and Redcoat lost
some ground and SS Badger was able to get into the mix. Out of Rio's Ramble
into the BMX turns Redcoat blew off a berm and SS BAdger moved into first loser
place. Sven had a bridge length lead going into the Fireswamp and the finish
line was not in sight. Coming off the second bridge exiting the fire swamp the
finish line was clearly marked.
Sven coasted across finishing the race- what a
winner. SS Badger finished first loser followed by Redcoat and OC. The judge
and her refs awarded Sven the winner and shock rang out when Redcoat was named
first loser. OC was second loser and SS Badger was DQ'd for PCK and riding with
his elbows elevated. SS Badger protested the results. Stamping of feet was not
well received and the results stood.
No hand holding next year- best know your way around....
