March 20th, 2017 10:35am
It's time to play catch up on our Race reports now that the flurry of racing has taken a short break. Since our last major update, team members from Bicycle World have hit the rugged trails of Estrella Mtn. and the second race in the MBAA series, braved the challenges at the 24 hours of Old Pueblo and then back to more carnage at MBAA Race#3 at the White tanks.
Traditionally the most technically challenging course on the MBAA race calendar saw a continuation of riding dominance by Bicycle World Team members. This time, Bicycle World battled with series sponsor DNA cycles team and managed to walk away with five more podium results. The team was lead by Art MacFarland, Zach Heim and Solage Whitehead taking wins in their respective cat 1 classes and age groups. While every win is impressive, Zach Heim's time was blistering and as good as the top pro's of the day. Zach's training was already paying off leading up to Old Pueblo.
Making his first appearance of the season, and a respectable one at that was Ryan "garage sale" Waldron who came out and quickly snatched second place in his Cat 1 race. Must have been his new Santa Cruz Tall boy and the set of new tires he was sporting.
In the Cat 2 men class Dean Henthorn and Brett Laycock couldn't quite break into the podium spots but battled each other to finished 6-7th just seconds apart.
Old Pueblo has become quite the fixture in the winter season racing calendar these days drawing crowds from the snow bound states who need to get their riding fix in. Now in it's 11 year, a strong finish in this race is true feather in your cap. Team members of the Bicycle World TV team have stood on the podium in the previous two year reaching the top step in 2009.
For this years edition, Bicycle World fielded two four man teams in the open category, both with lots of experience and momentum coming into the race. From first light, the wind began to gradually increase it's intensity until it a brisk west to east wind blew into the racers for the start of the race. Kevin Riseborough drew the running duties and was the first Bicycle World TV team rider out on the course. Kevin put the team into a top 15 spot on the first lap giving us a strong opening stint.
Jimmy Alexander had an impressive first lap for the second team before handing off the wood to Paul and the second lap.
Lap two was not as kind to the Bicycle World Teams. Jeff Herrera suffered a flat tire and dropped some time. Sure there was time to recover, but so early in the race it definitely got the teams attention a bit more. For the team of Paul, Jimmy, Matt and Mike, a flat tire would have been welcome, but their luck was far worse as Paul Broaderip decided to become a human kite going up one of the bitches. Riding deep dish wheels, Paul's airborne antics on a bitch were caught by a strong wind that turned him sideways in the air leaving him to take the full brunt of the fall on his head. Luckily the bike escaped with no damage but left Paul via chauffeur to collect 30 stitches in his jaw and a cat scan. - Cha Ching!
Paul managed to call Matt as he was exiting the race course to let us know what had happened. The team was now an hour behind on the second lap. With some reservation, it was decided that the three remaining team mates would do their best and see what transpired.
As the day wore on, the winds continued to increase in speed with riders using the tail wind to fly on the OP single track only to suffer brutal head winds on the final climb. With the winds, came the forecasted weather. Quickly a sheet of clouds rolled in dropping the temperature by 15 degrees in a matter of minutes. Rain was eminent and the 24 hour town was in for a beating.
Severe winds ripped pop-ups and tents from their frames leaving many camping mountain bikers homeless and unprotected from the onslaught of rain that soon followed. Team Bicycle World took advantage of their RV community to stay as dry as possible but never missing a lap in the rain. As if on a schedule, the rain began, falling sometimes at 45 degree angles and continued until 11:30pm when as if on a timer it stopped and the winds died.
Like field mice flooded out of their homes, riders emerged from the cover they managed to keep during the storm to resume the race. Persevering through the rain saw both BW teams move up in the standings. Team one was now in third place and Team Two had moved up to the top 50.
The beauty of the desert is that the rain drains as quickly as it puddles and soon after the rain, with almost no wind, the temperatures rose by 10 degrees and reports of quick lap times were filtering in. The OP course is extremely tacky when wet and while the rain and wind were brutal, the moisture was a welcome addition to the dusty course.
By first light, Bicycle World TV team one had a firm grip on third place barring any unforeseen accidents and was equally far behind second place. Bicycle World TV team two was officially cooked as Jimmy Alexander and Matt Berrault put in Herculean efforts throughout the night and brought the team back to as high at 15th place. Both riders put in 100 miles or more in the first eighteen hours before having to give it up. Both riders covered for the third team mate who would skip laps through the night due to a sore back. With no other options and no legs left, Jay and Dean stepped in for a three lap spell before Mike Theis came back for the final lap.
While the final hours of the race passed uneventfully the course conditions could only be described as epic. Miles and miles of twisty blue groove single track emerged from the early evening rain and hundreds of riders packing the clay surface.
A congratulations and thank you to all those who participated and those who came to support.
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Kevin Riseborough drew the short straw (he said short) and took the first lap for the Bicycle World Team. Kevin gave us a solid position near the front of the 400 plus teams.
Shaun and his ski goggles ready to hit the Old Pueblo Rock drop.
Zach looking all business on the rocks at Old Pueblo
Art and his easy to spot RED arm warmers roll into the face of the oncoming storm and 20+ mph head wind.
Rodeo Jay taking a stint for one of the many teams he was on.
Jimmy was super strong this year, but couldn't carry the load for 24 hours being one man down.
Jimmy finishing the second of a double lap just before sun rise. Jimmy and Matt should have won the lion heart award trying to cover for their missing team mate. Dropping from almost last place the three remaining team mates clawed back to the top 15 before imploding.
Looking sweet in his pink gloves - Matt soldiered through the first 18 hours and claimed 100 miles before he would be fully cooked and have to succumb to the leg gods.
Chad was our only 24 Hour solo representative this year.
In the wee hours, solo riders need some help finding their base camp. This little piece of voodoo signage doubled as a sinister reminder of how cruel 24 hour racing can be.
Zach is smiling because he is done and Kevin had to do the last lap. Zach shaved twice during the race and still grew this five o'clock shadow for the finish.
The only picture I could manage of Jeff because he is too fast for the camera to actually capture on film. Jeff threw down consistently fast lap times as usual helping put the team in a solid third place.
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Art chillin at the end of the race as he waits for Kevin to come in for his final lap. A couple more podium finishes for Art at the Old Pueblo and he will have the complete set of coasters.
Brett and his wife enjoying the event.
Matt and his pup looking relaxed to start the day not knowing that it would be very very painful later on..
Team Bicycle World TV with a third place overall - Jeff Herrera, Kevin Riseborough, Art MacFarland and Zack Heim did a great job.
Location: News >> Bicycle World TV team and the Old Pueblo round up
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