Massanutten Hoo-Ha 2008 race report

Massanutten Hoo-Ha
June 1, 2008
McGaheysville, VA
Pro/Expert

This was kinda like going home. I started racing Massanutten in 1993, and while at James Madison University, the trails were close and the terrain was familiar. I was happy to see that they’ve added trails and kept the original ones maintained well. It didn’t mean it was going to be easy.

The temperature was climbing, and with all the climbing we’d be doing, I knew it would be a factor. The first part of the race is all climbing, and the second half of the 2 miles of climbing was on a paved/gravel road, and out in the sun. Thankfully they had a water station set up, but unfortunately it came before the road climb, rather than somewhere in the middle. But it was better than none.

The start wasn’t too fast, but I didn’t have the legs for the climb, so I was hanging back a little, anyway. I watched pretty much the whole field ride away, knowing I couldn’t match the pace. The first section of singletrack was a relief, but it quickly turned back up and got slick with a little bit of mud, making me wish I was back on the gravel road.

After some really nice singletrack climbing with very nice work done in the switchbacks (they would have been really fun to ride down. But we weren’t going in that direction...) we got on the gravel road to head to the top of Kaylor’s Knob, and my legs pretty much had checked out by then. I was in a lot of pain, and struggling with the gear. Finally, I got to the top and took the left into the woods, where the technical ridge started. There were some rock gardens at the top- the type of riding I absolutely love. I had picked up some motivation being at the top, but got behind a Pro Women rider who was strong and quite adept at riding the rocks, but not very fast about it. It was a little tough being behind her for as long as I was- I couldn’t get around her in the tight singletrack, and I couldn’t see my lines with her in front of me.

Near the bottom, the trail opened up and I was able to cruise the last part of the descent the way I like to- fast and flowing. But then the trail took a 90 degree turn and I had to almost stop, and we turned into another false flat section where I got caught by the stronger riders who weren’t far behind.

The next section was rolling, and there were some excellent descents, but also some really steep climbs- one of which I had to walk- thankfully it was very short. I knew I was losing ground, but I was trying to remember that I was there to have fun and finish the race. Unfortunately my head was starting to fall into the mindset of quitting. My legs hurt, and my back was really bothering me to the point I couldn’t pedal more because of back pain than leg pain.

The final descent of the lap was one I remembered from my early days there, and I felt really motivated to keep going at that point. I was close to the start of the second lap, and I’d need to make that decision soon. I went past the start/finish and kept going, thinking I would go to the top of the climb and make my decision there. When I got to the gravel road, though... I stood up and powered up every short paved section and sat down for the gravel ones to maintain traction. It was here I was passing people, and started to feel much better than I had at any point in the race.

I got onto the ridge in the position I wanted to be- not behind anybody. And I was able to ride the ridge and the following descent with the huge advantage of having seen it once before and also being able to follow my lines and carry my speed. The berms were flowing and the grade reversals were much more fluid this time. I was having a blast, even though I knew I wasn’t in contention for any placing.

I finished up in 14th, which was last place for finishers. I have no idea how many started, but I can’t complain too much, since I didn’t really have much ambition going into the race.