OCup #4 Albion Hills

I had some high hope for this race, Albion is as close to my home course as you can get. It's the kind of course I could get away without preriding and no matter what combination of trails they did for the race I would have no problem finding my way around.

Pre ride of the course is standard fare. You immediately know it's going to be typical Albion - FAST. There is next to no climbing, just lots of fast everything. Come race day though there's something wrong. It's hot. Like, stupid hot. There is absolutely no breeze and the ambient temperature is 38 degrees. Add humidity on top of that and it's miserably hot out. I drain two bottles just in the warmup. I'm very thankful that my parents have come to watch so they can do my feeds, hydration is going to be very important.

I spend a good time warming up, I want my body clearing and sweating before the race starts so there's no transition in the race and I can immediately get to work. The long warmup however ended up backfiring on me somewhat. New for this race is that they're combining us with the Expert 50-55. All of a sudden there's twice as many guys in this start category which makes getting a good spot on the start line impossible. I try to find my way around the outside at the race start but I get literally run into the bushes on the side of the trail.

I quickly get frustrated with how I'm being held up in the singletrack. I know the trails so well that I can't help but constantly have to brake to avoid the slow guys in front of me. I spend the entire first lap just trying to make up positions. I finally catch up to a familiar wheel from someone in my category but I'm so knackered by that point. Coming around the final corner Sean (the organizer) is on the side of the course with a hose that's pumping water form the river, anyone who comes by he gives a head dousing of cold water. The start of lap number two I get my first feed from my dad, that water doesn't last long. My heart rate is usually high but it seems like I'm working even harder than usual. I attribute it to the heat and press on. I make up a few more positions but my earlier effort is hampering my later efforts. I get on a train of three other guys but eventually lose their wheel and am left to finish the race on my own. Turns out my result was pretty ok finishing seventh, only three minutes of the leader and around a minute off the podium.

I must have spent several minutes after the race just sitting in the shade dumping water all over my self. I think I did  a good job with the hydrating though as  I wasn't ever dizzy or weak like some of the others. In fact there were quite a few DNFs due to the heat. I was glad I was able to finish but slightly disappointed to be so close to the podium.