NEO Double Down Enduro

Perfectly dry conditions and sweltering heat were in place for the Double Down race this past weekend. The race was double the normal laps so in my case I was set to race 6. The 36+ open class was again pretty large, twice as big as the younger guys. Add to that the likes of Ross Clark and now Brad Wilhelm in my field and I was wondering if a podium spot was even in my grasp.
I was anticipating something around four hours so I tried my best to take off slowly. I missed my pedal off the line, which was all the better since I wanted to set a nice mello pace for myself. The first 4 laps went nicely and I felt really good, I was sitting in 3rd with Tom Franek on my wheel for a couple laps. He is stronger than me and doesn't know the course like I do so I figured he just wanted to follow my lines for awhile.
As usual he eventually got bored with my pace and took off. I tried to maintain my efforts but the heat was causing some stomach upset. The fluid just wasn't digesting and my arms were cramping horribly. On the last lap I was sitting fourth and did not see anyone behind me with less than two miles to go. Then all of a sudden I was passed by former team mate Chris Skinner, he went around me at nearly double my speed. I had no response and ended up 5th in my class with a time of 3:57:51. I was pleased with this especially due to the high level of talent in the 36+ this year. This is one ridiculously hard class now.

































Check out that sweet retro Systeme U jersey. It's my tribute to the late great Laurent Fignon. If only I had installed those aero bars...




And as always, many thanks to Bob Grimm for standing in the brutal heat to take great photos.