Bank of NC Short Track Mountain Bike Race

Saturday was the third race in the Bank of NC Short Track mountain bike race series in Harrisburg, benefitting the Cabarrus Rotary Club. The 4-race series takes place at Harrisburg Town Park, which features a NORBA-style 3/4-mile short track. The local mountain bike club put together a great track including a downhill singletrack section with berms, a grassy cyclocross-esque grassy section coming into the start-finish stretch, and a short, nasty climb.

Conditions were near-perfect, as we enjoyed weekend temps in the mid-70s. Ahhh, the summer we never had, right smack in the middle of November. The rain from two days ago left the trail in excellent shape.

Amy's teammate Erica Chard hit the loop first for the day, competing in the women's Cat 3 division. With some snap still left in the legs after a season of road racing, she paced the eventual race-winner and finished a strong second. Above, Erica is coming off the upper half of the singletrack downhill section and cresting a short hill before finishing the downhill.

Since my last race, I was invited to join the Asheville-based Velosports Racing Team for 2010. Above, new teammate (and Erica's boyfriend) Frank Obusek begins the grind up the steepest section of the climb during the Cat 2 40+ race. Frank also rode strongly to finish 3rd.

Rounding out the day, I entered the singlespeed division for my first mountain bike race of any kind. Above, I'm coming out of the grass track and heading into the gravel start-finish double track.
Grinding through the steepest section of the climb in my crisp, new Velosport kit. Pushing a 32x18 gear, in hindsight I probably would have given up a little on the downhill sections in favor of being able to spin a little bit more on the climbs.

Hitting one of the berms on the upper downhill section.

Another shot of the upper downhill section. Amy handled the photography for the day.

Grunting up the short climb separating the upper and lower downhill sections.

Cresting the top of the climb. I rode my Redline Monocog 29er, set up by singlespeed and fixed gear guru Chris Jordan. Steel and fully rigid with Sram 175mm Hussy downhill cranks, Thomson seatpost, Ritchey stem, saddle, and bars, Surly stainless chainring. Wheels are Salsa rims laced to Surly singlespeed hubs, handbuilt by Chris, with Maxxis rubber.

Hitting the finish line after the 45-minute effort. I came across the line in second place or last place place, depending on one's interpretation of the half-filled glass. With only two entrants in the singlespeed division, I was assured of at least second place. As the other singlespeeder sprinted away from me at the start line, my placing was secure. Regardless, the results show second place. It was a fun event, well-organized on a great course, and a fantastic day. Next week is the last in the race series, but it will be at night. Time to break out the lights!