Friday, June 19, 2015

SPHotlap #1 is in the books

Finally the stars aligned and the first official Hot Lap could be contested. The weather - not too hot, but a little warm and a little humid. Trail conditions - dry and fast. Riders - Larry (SS), Job, Isaac (SS), Shane

The race started quick, but the pace wasn't too crazy as Job got the hole shot and led through the end of Margaritaville and up the QRT double track climb. Isaac was close behind with Larry and Shane just a few seconds back.

As the race moved through Blitzkrieg Bop Isaac was pushing the pace to try and get by Job and get a gap on Larry. On the long double track climb the pass and gap were made. Would it be enough? At the top of the climb Isaac had a small gap to Larry, Job, and Shane who were all pretty close.

Things stayed pretty status quo until the 5 way climb where Larry started to reel back some time. By the time they hit Stairway the gap was maybe 15-20 seconds max. At the top of stairway it was maybe 10. Bombing down the Quarry led to the first hiccup. Isaac turned into the rock garden - Wrong turn! Larry graciously waited, but the catch was made. Some impromptu trail clearing cost both a few seconds but was not an advantage to either rider. Both single speeders struggled up the climb from the Quarry and were together heading towards 2112 and the infamous laundry chute drop. Isaac let Larry by to let him do the chute at his pace and after the chute, roots, and switchbacks it was all back together. Larry led through the whoopties but had to concede the lead for good heading into the last Singletrack. Isaac rolled to the finish first in 39:20. Larry 5-10 seconds back in a hard fight second. Shane got 3rd in 42ish minutes with Job stopping things at 45.

All in all it was a fun race! It was brutal as no one has really tried going at "race pace"... 

For reference - Isaac was riding 34-20