SCS - Hobby Park Race

After many years off from racing (14 I think), I decided to try a race and see how it went. I bought a "new" bike off of ebay and I rode a bit for a couple of months over the winter. Then hiked out to Winston Salem to try the first race in the Southern Classic Series. I raced Sport (XC2), which was my old cat. The course had an unusual paved start, which is flat for couple hundred yards and then rises up a fairly steep road for mabye 1/8 mile and then dumps into single track. I intentionally set myself up at the back of the grid and made no attempt at a decent hole shot. To my surprise I was in the top 10 or so going into the woods. Some normal bunch up goofiness hit in the first section of singletrack, but then got pretty smooth. The course is fun. Relatively flowy, but with some grindy short climbs. Finished 15th out of 23, but I was pleased. 

Stats: 15th of 23, 13 miles, in 77 mins,  avg speed 10, avg HR 168, max HR 176.

Rolling the finish

Meeting the congratulatory crew :)