SCS - Riverfront Classic Charlotte Race

This race was a highlight of the season for me. I had ridden the trails a couple times about 12 years ago when I lived in Charlotte and I even remembered a couple spots. More fun though was seeing an old buddy I used to race with in college. A couple of years ago he was a successful expert racer in the region, but recently had twins so hasn't been riding much. He was helping put on the event, but jumped into the Cat 2 race with me just for fun. He had no intention of finishing for those worried about sandbagging. This course had a fairly viscous starting run out. About 50 yards of grass and then instant singletrack with a mildly technical entrance. I staged on the front and got a decent jump. I remember the pack getting close to the singletrack and someone yelling "alright lets keep it calm, don't want to stack it up.." I went into the woods in about 3rd. My bud was at least 3 spots behind me. In what seemed like about 200 yards I heard him chatting me up right on my wheel. It was tight singletrack, no idea how he passed the others in there so fast. We cooked it for a little and he passed me using momentum up a short straight. The next few miles were ridiculous. Riding on his wheel on his home turf at warp speed. Many times I just let go of the brakes and trusted his line. He get a little worn down on the short climbs as we went so the guys behind us would catch us on the climbs and we would gap them on the next down. Great great stuff. He ran out of steam and I passed him about 1/2 way through the first lap. He knew the trails and caught me an several intesections to yell stupid stuff etc. I felt pretty good the whole race. I had 3rd until the 2nd lap and a guy passed me near the start/finish and I couldn't hold on. My bud hoped back on with me for the last couple of miles and I rode in alone. Great race.

Stats: 4th of 16, 19 miles, 106 mins, avg speed 10.7, avg HR 167, max HR 175, bike XTC