MTB Team report- EFTA's Sterling Sizzler
Action shots from last race: Kurt and Anthony
The Sterling MTB Report
by Keith Reynolds
Sunday was the 2nd race in the EFTA series (Eastern Fat Tire
Association), held at a new venue in Sterling, CT. Anyone that was at Nutmeg the day before knows the skies opened up and 1.5” of rain fell. The experienced course designer, Doug Peckam, made some last minute adjustments to accommodate for the rain and the Sports/Experts were to do three 5 mile laps. Reports from other riders were that the course had Doug’s signature layout including rock gardens, roots, wooded chicanes, spined dirt piles and a sustained .3-mile hill climb that felt like a full mile. There were one or two muddy sections that were not ridable and made the race ‘cross like and tiring.
Just like last time, Doug’s course put everyone to the test. The wetness made the trail ‘greasy’ and added to the technical difficulty; something you love or love to hate. The team warmed up together (per usual) and found their ideal tire/shock pressure for the conditions and eyed initial lines.
The NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental MTB team was represented by:
Anthony Laskaris – Expert Vet II 42-49 7th place
Anthony returned and had a strong performance; already getting back into the groove from years past. He used the 29er advantage to easily maneuver over baby head rocks and sailed through technical sections, causing the rest of us to drool.
Keith Reynolds – Sport Senior II 27-34 1st place
From the uphill gravel start and into the spined dirt I paced off
my wave leader. As soon as we hit the first technical hill I attacked and managed to get away. I further distanced myself by passing riders in previous waves to avoid being seen and having any possible counter attack. I felt like Doug and I see eye to eye on what a course should have. This was a bittersweet win after a being involved in a crash on Saturday.
Kurt Johnson – Expert Vet II 42-49 8th place
Hamstring pain kept Kurt at bay but he rode it out at a comfortable pace, get well!
Michael Good – Sport Vet II 42-49 2nd place
After a few days of being sick Michael wasn’t sure about this race. He says he felt like crap during the race but he still rode hard enough to keep over 6 minutes in front of the guy in 3rd. Anthony and I (Keith) were both thinking to ourselves ‘get moving,’ last time MTB Mike came sailing through our respective waves. If he weren’t sick I know the thought of upgrading would have been weighing on his mind.
Ted Yobaccio – Expert Vet I 35-41
Ted just wasn’t feeling ‘it’ and bowed out early; this is the
single hardest thing to do mentally but the smartest. He’s confining himself to the woods over the next few weeks, becoming one with the woods. Nonetheless he cheered us on and still kept smiling, thanks Ted!
Next race #3 – June 24th, see efta.com for etails.
If you’re interested in trying out a race there’s 7 more series races. Ask us about it, there’s a category for everyone! EFTA has always been grass roots- let’s all enjoy the fun. Thanks to sponsors like Cycle Loft the tradition continues.