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Padden Mountain Pedal, Indie Series #5
10 July 2005
Report by: Barry Campbell
Ben and I left Seattle bright and early Sunday morning, intending to get to Lake Padden about the time registration opened so
that we could get in a good warm-up and pre-ride the course. Our timing and luck were consistent with most of our attempts
to make racing go smoothly, which is to say less than perfect. Registration, supposed to open at 8:15a, wasn't open until
at least 8:45a, which resulted in lines of 40 people or so waiting to register. Nick and Tony were parked on either side of
us, so we spent the time getting changed and making fun of each other, especially when Ben nearly destroyed a tire and tube
by pumping it up without making sure the tire was seated. We got registered around 9, and headed out on the trail at about
9:20a, after being warned that "We always start on time" and to be back by 9:45a. Some warm-up.
We headed up the course with Nick, and promptly discovered that the course description of "short steep climbs, technical descents
or high speed smooth Roller Coasters" neglected to mention the mile-long climb at the start of the loop. Ben put it best after
the race, when he said, "there was more climbing than we were mentally prepared for." We managed to get through the first
section of downhill before we turned around, which included what must have been the "3-4 foot drops" the promoter mentioned,
which was actually maybe 18" at the higest point, if you tried hard. We got back to the bottom with a few minutes to spare,
only to discover that, in fact, they were NOT going to start on time, but had delayed the start 15 minutes. So we wandered
around for a couple of minutes, then headed back up the trail for a bit before turning back again. I ran back to the car and
got some Gu (Espresso! 2x the Caffiene!) which may not have been a good idea.
They gave us the standard discussion, warned about the "3-4 foot drops", sent the 19-29s out, then started us. I think the
caffiene must've kicked in, because I launched off the line without really feeling like I was trying, and accidentally got
the hole shot. Not that it made much difference, since we promptly headed up hill, which would've accomplished pretty much
the same thing. I looked back most of the way up the hill and saw Nick on my wheel and Ben close behind, with the rest of
the pack 50-100 meters back. Nick went by near the top of the climb, and I settled in as we caught one of the 19-29s, Nick
just before and me just after the first drop. I passed him quickly after that, and rode the rest of the loop for the first
time. It was pretty fun, with some muddy spots and a couple of steep uphill technical sections that traffic generally made
unrideable.
The second lap, I caught some of the kids just before the technical section, which was likely my undoing - other than not really
training for a month. I had to wait for half a dozen kids who were walking, falling, and stuck in the first drop, which probably
allowed the rest of the pack to gain on me. Once by them, I was okay and started catching more of the 19-29s and lapped riders,
which was pretty much the way the rest of the race went. I got caught and passed by two of our pack, guys who weren't in the
series and who likely only race that race, so I didn't feel too bad. Overall, I was happy with 4th, and Ben with 5th.
Results:
Barry Campbell 4th, Beginner Men 30-39
Ben Ulness 5th, Beginner Men 30-39
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