Who woulda thunk?

Rogues racing is primarily a road racing team (with a little cyclocross thrown in), but apparently they can race off-road just as well. Six of us showed up at the Rowdy Dawg mountain bike race held right in our back yard along Poverty Creek, Gap and Brush mountains. Dan, Matt, John, and Cole showed up with a glistening stable of new 29rs, 69rs and 96rs. Brian and I were racing in the vintage category. The conditions turned out to be great. The rain left early enough on Sat to leave the mud dry and tacky. Really perfect conditions. After we got our instructions (follow the little tiny green arrows scattered about the forest), we started going in circles immediately, down the road the wrong way and back through the parking lot. While I was trying to remember how to shift my mountain bike (has it been a year since I have even touched my mountain bike?!), the rest of the team barreled down the road at the head of the pack. Eventually I got going and settled in at a steady pace trying not to bounce off the never ending boulders in to the woods somewhere. Don’t let anyone convince you to buy into this retro, vintage crap. Rigid bikes with cantilever brakes are complete garbage and a leading cause of rigor mortis before death. I still don’t think the feeling has come back to my hands. Eventually the course led across the road to the Brush Mountain side, home of fast smooth trails. I finally started passing some people on the long ascent to the top of brush mountain. This was actually starting to be fun. Unfortunately, the trail turns down again and all those people passed me while I was holding on for dear life. Finally back to the road at the bottom and I am thinking, “this wasn’t too bad”. Then the marshalls point back to the Gap side indicating another lap through rock garden hell (Queen Anne). At this point, my bike is starting to think this is all a bit too much. First my saddle starts to fall off, and then one of my tubes fails. I wasn’t even riding my bike at the time. I was pushing up some hill and then pssshhht, no air. After rattling along for a while I did actually reach the finish to the cheers of most of the Rogues who had already finished and changed and eaten lunch. Strangely, Cole wasn’t there. It appears he went into the woods and was never seen again. If anyone is riding along and sees a hulking man beast running through the trees, no it is not Saskwatch. As it turns out, Rogues scored 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the sport class. (Matt P, McKenna, and Dan) Not bad for a couple of roadies.

The event was organized really well (courtesy of Ben Brown and Montgomery County Parks and Rec. ) and the barbecue from Professional Catering was fantastic.

After a good showing at the Rowdy Dog Mountain Bike race where the Rogues placed 2,3, & 4 in the Mens Sport class, the “regular” race season has come to a close.  Cyclocross has begun & a select few members will be racing in North Carolina & Tennessee.  For those sans CX bike, & dreading the feel of a hard road bike saddle, fear not, a Rogues Epic Mtn Bike Ride is in the planning stage.  The route will be along the ridgeline of North Mountain, aka Dragon’s Back.  The trail follows an old section of the Appalachian Trail that has since be rerouted.  Total mileage I’m guessing to be around 30 miles.   Keep you eyes open for this ride, it will have to be on a Sunday since hunting season is open & the trail goes in the heart of the National Forest.