XTERRA Real, Granite Bay CA
Photos by Leslie Miller
Our race team had a great showing with Paul Dimas, Nick and Nate Diaz, David Miller myself and even David Philips, owner of Michael David Winery. Dave Phillips is somewhat new to mountain biking and this was his first XTERRA. We pre rode a couple times leading into the race and he made big improvements after every ride. He had a great race and was happy with his first XTERRA finish. Paul, Nick and Nate took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their 25-29 age group, David Miller took 2nd in his and 5th overall and I took 3rd overall.
I had several kinks in this race but it is always good to work them out in the early season races rather than in bigger races. Here are the kinks :)
1. Switched wheelsets so I should have switched cassettes too. Cog teeth skipped the entire time despite my test ride a couple days before. It's hard to simulate an actual race.
2. I ran non-tubeless tires tubeless. I burped a bunch of air and tire was nearly rolling off the rim near the end of bike course. I've done this in the past with success but with a full suspension bike. This time I rode a hartail so the dips were really putting entire body weight on the rear tire. I should have compensated by running higher pressure or tubeless ready tires.
3. Water was below 50 degrees so I didnt get enough of swim a warm up. I tend to need a long easy warm up and stretch but was tough to do so in such cold water.
4. I took a tumble in second half of run and I'm pretty certain it cost me one place. When I fell, Tim Helms closed his gap and had me in sight at that point. He didnt know I fell but at that point my focus went from catching 1st place to fighting for second. He got me by a few seconds but this is a good example of how every second counts and how you cant ease up on the run until you cross the finish line.
Aside from my drivetrain and tire issues, I rode a new carbon hardtail frame from Leopard Cycles. We have confirmed a sponsorship, but before I committed 100%, I wanted to really test the bikes ability. I normally ride a FS bike, but this carbon hardtail was amazing. Ideally you need to have both a hardtail and FS in the arsenal. I will also add a carbon hardtail 29er into the mix as well which sits in between the two. For this course I definitely rode the right bike. For the XTERRA West Championship in Vegas I think the 29er HT would be the way to go. It's wide open fast course. Its rocky and no tight and windy turns so a 29er would absorb and handle this course perfectly. Heres a shot of the setup I rode at XTERRA Real.
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