Weaverville Recap!

Where do I begin in describing my new favorite race? True mountain bike trails, climbing, descending, hike-a-biking, scary "if I make a mistake, I wonder if I will ever stop falling down the mountain?" trails, and a perfectly located camp resort right across the street from the venue...dare I say with clean bathrooms? Yeah, like I said, it is my new favorite race!

So what does it take to displace Downieville? Well, D-ville is still incredible, but have you ever tried to pass there? The bozo's going down the hill aren't very accomodating at letting you by. At least here, there is plenty of passing and that makes a big difference. But, regardless of that, this course is simply too much fun! You basically climb to the top of the mountain in a combination of fireroads and tight and twisty flume trails, once to the top to traverse the ridges before coming down some of the best, most challenging XC single track I have ridden!

The race was going great for the Butler clan and whilst Dad and Bri battled it out for their respective class wins (and MORE importantly BRAGGING RIGHTS!), Brett was in solid position in the sport class, and I was trying to pass as many experts as possible!!! (Yeah, yeah, CB, I know I GOTS to move up for next season...) Me and this dude were battling on a cool downhill and then made the turn back up and around only to dump out on the fire road in the middle of a group that we had DROPPED MILES before. Hmmm, looks like some people missed the single track uphill.

Great, I LOVE battling to repass people I have already dropped...

By the time we got to the technical decent me and the dude had re passed most of them and then on the hike-a-bike, I ran past both of them, and thought, "TIME TO MOTO!" I was able to open up a gap and was thinking that this could be my best race of the year when all of a sudden...KAAAABLAAAMOOOO!!!! I went to turn and got body slammed to the ground! OUCH! What the HELL!!!??? Flat front tire, that's what the heck. Oh boy, was I upset!

I changed the tire as quickly as possible, but the damage had been done. I tried to chase back on, but we were not far from the finish, so I ended up in 2nd, by just about 1 minute. Oh well. It was still a great ride. Bri got 2nd too...both in her class and to dad. I think this makes the old man pretty happy! Brett ended up 5th.

What a great weekend! This is definitley one to put on the calendar for next year!!!