Bike Events
Hammer Head Riders participate in season opener at McDowell
While the most of the country is under snow or in sloppy mud, the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona kicked off the season at McDowell Mtn Regional Park (former host of the NORBA MTB Nationals) under perfect conditions.
Six riders of the newly formed Hammer Head racing team were on hand to test their early season legs against the winter paradise’s best riders. Elite Pro Jeff Herrera scored 4th place points in the mens division and endurance master Art McFarland also finished fourth racing in the men’s open single speed division. Paul Broaderip took second place honors in his cat 2 class while Jimmy Alexander grinded out the day in the back of the Cat 1 pack. Steve Hughes and Dean Henthorn settled for 7th and 11th place finishes respectively. Henthorn’s hyper competitive class saw 2nd through 13th place separated by less than two minutes. The “long day in the saddle” trophy went to Ryan Waldon for taking a DNF with three flats on the desert course.
As a team, Hammer Head Racing is planning the main thrust of their season for later in the spring when they pack their bikes for other state races and national events.
The team was sporting Bicycle World jerseys while they wait for their new team kits to arrive.
Hammer Head Racing is sponsored by Hammer Head Bikes in Austin Texas, Bicycle World TV and Baja Training Systems
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2 comments for “Hammer Head Riders participate in season opener at McDowell”
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The first weekend of MBAA mountain bike racing season is in the books. Saturday started with a short track race and a gravity time trail. Followed by the XC race on Sunday.
I decided to enter the Masters 40+ for the short track, since my racing age is one year short of 50. There were only 10 racers, but as usual for Arizona in January, out of towners came out for this weekend - nice weather and all. I had a good start and settled in 3rd, but got inpatient and attacked before the end of the lap. I was off the front for a couple of laps, but there were 2 riders from out of state that were working together to catch me, and they finally did. I attacked again, but didn’t shake them…. and then they attacke me. Couldn’t stay with them and ended up in 3rd.
The Gravity TT consisted of 3 downhill timed sections. I made some mistakes on the first run, but settled down and had good runs on the last two and finished 2nd.
Sunday was the XC and I decided to skip the marathon class in favor of the SS Open category. Not an easy class to be competetive since we have some Pro riders in there. My Titus Fireline 29 worked great. I was able to get a decent start in 5th place and eventually finished in 4th only seconds behind 3rd place. Not bad for an “old guy”. Had lots of fun during the race - although a bit frustrated in the downhills where I was spun out. Looking forward for HammerHeadcycles.com MTB team to show our strength in the next race.
Also there was Jeff, Paul, Dean, Steve, Ryan and Jimmy. Only Jay, with a newborn child (Abby) and Dan couldn’t make it.
MBAA’s first MTB race of the 2010 season was a 2 day event at McDowell Mtn Park.
On Saturday I entered the short track 40+ masters race. The race was for 20 minutes + 1 lap. The start was very intense with 10 riders racing for position for the first 180 degree turn. I had a not so good start, but made up some time on the 3rd and 4th laps into 4th place. I then got into trouble on the short and steep uphill when I somehow came unclipped and landed on my back with my bike on top. I lost 2 positions on that mistake and I couldn’t get it back. I finished 6th, but that’s ok for a 60+ racer.
On Sunday I raced the XC in the Cat 1 50+ group. The first lap quickly strung out the field and I wasn’t sure of my position because our start wave included the 40-49 riders also. I paced myself fairly well and was able to pass a couple of 50+ riders on the last lap. 3 laps and 30 miles later I had 7th place. It’s tough racing with the “young” guys.
I’ve got my new bike on order through hammerheadbikes.com and I know it will help me go a little faster on our teams next race in 3 weeks.