GSC #5 - Carter's Lake

from what we had heard and read, the Carter's Lake trail was really tough. we decided to head up to Elijay on Saturday for a preride and some camping which worked out great. it was ridiculously hot at over 95deg so i took it really easy and just tried to imagine the course at a race pace. the course was a 5 mile loop which was had several screaming rocky descents and gruelling climbs. the rest of the course is what i heard some people call 'undulating', but that seems like a bit of an understatement. after the ride we jumped in the lake and then headed into town for a nice dinner. perfect day.

[while we were in the lake we watched an episode of our favorite hick sitcom unfold right before our eyes... a family showed up to do some fishing and within a couple minutes the very pregnant daughter gets hooked in the thigh. the dad unsuccessfully tries to pull out the hook and everyone else is mad at her for ruining their fishing trip. they pile back in the car and leave in a hurry. we were making up several alternate endings...]

7am and the race promoters are there blasting Cake through the woods. we wake up and cook up some breakfast and head to the starting line. the race starts at 9:30AM and it is already pushing 90deg! my old man category voted for 2 laps (8 to 7 - i voted 3 but was sort of glad when i was done after 2). it was hot and the course was steep. we toed the line and once i knew that it was going to be a short race i knew that the start was the most crucial part. i pounded up the start climb as fast as i could... i was first to the chicain (sp??) that funneled us into the singletrack - but then Ed flies past me through the cones. we hit the first descent and it is fast and scary. on the first climb i'm riding Ed's wheel and two guys pass us quickly. i follow them and they are killing it. the number 2 guy in front of me is starting to blow up and he is trying to recover on the downhills while i watch 1st place disappearing. i'm telling this guy to "keep pedaling - keep the gap - you've got this - keep up with #1 - do you mind if i get around...." i'm scrubbing this guys tire but there is nowhere to pass. we finally make it to a double track climb and i pass him but never again see 1st place. that guy won by ~2 minutes in an 11 mile race. thats nuts!

this was a great mountain bike course. i wish it was a longer trail because it would be fun to go RIDE (not necessarily do RACE loops on). i understand at least 2 collarbones were left on the trail.

*the pits indicate the heat index.