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Glory at Coyote Point

Both Brad Bashford and I got the call-up (top 10) so we each had a starting spot in the first row.  The race went uphill from the gun and Brad started out strong.  I stayed with him as he led the race for the first half lap.  I passed him after the first set of barriers and was feeling good, holding the lead but then I crashed hard on a sharp left when the course kicked out from single-track onto pavement.  Broke my left shift lever so I had to stay in the small ring for the rest of the race.  Jumped back up and went through the 1st lap still in the lead, but just barely.  Someone passed me as we started the second lap but I stayed with him and then he crashed on a switchback, so I was still in the lead after 2 laps.  As we started the third and final lap, another rider went by me.  Tried to stay with him but he started to open up a small gap of 10-15 yards.  I pushed hard about halfway through the final lap on a flat section and was able to get back on his wheel and then we headed into a tight, technical section.  I followed him through a few turns and then as we came around a downhill, off-camber 180-degree right on loose bark and eucalyptus leaves, he endo'd!  I figured this was my chance so I jumped on the gas.  By the time he got going again, I had 25-30 yards on him.  There wasn't much course left and so I pushed hard through the finish.  Brad finished in a very solid 11th and was super cool in hanging around to snap the podium pictures. -Michael Lodoen

2010 Victory in Oakland - Cat C 35+


"The Tale of Victory" by Michael Lodoen

They started us 30 seconds behind the open Cat C field, so the entire race was a cluster of passing slower open C riders. Each field had 60 riders.

I got out strong and was in 2nd heading into the first technical section where no passing could be done. I marked the guy in front and stayed with him for the first 2 laps. On the 3rd lap, I was feeling good, so I passed him on a straightaway. Kept riding hard and would look back occasionally. I could tell if other riders in my field were coming up because 35+ bib numbers started with a "6" whereas open C bib numbers started with a "5."

I had started to opne a gap, but near the end of the 4th lap, I came off a steep drop where we had to make a right and then a left on some really loose gravel. Crashed hard!



Got back up and was about to jump on the bike when some guys shouted, "Chain!" Looked down and it had dropped off to the inside. Scrambled to get it back on and by the time I got going again, another rider in my field had caught up. I'm guessing I probably lost 30+ seconds.

We rode together for teh 5th lap and on the 6th and final lap, I was able to pass him after a barrier section as my remounts were faster than his and so we headed into the final technical section 1-2. About halfway through, I heard a pop and then an "oh sh*t." He had flatted. The techy section was littered with sharp edged rocks. I was fortunated to have gotten through 6 laps without a flat. Ended up driving hard to the end and looked back again once or twice to see if anyone else was closing. The guy that ended up finishing in 2nd was probably 5-10 seconds behind.

Unfortunately, they got the results messed up and had to defer the podiums so I couldn't get any podium glory for Murray-Renaissance. They had me in the 17th place! I go together with the guys that finished 2nd and 3rd (they were listed as 18th and 19th) and we protested the preliminary results and the judges said they would get it sorted out.

All in all, a great day of racing.

2010 Sea Otter Classic

Great job to all our club riders who joined this year's Sea Otter Classic! And a
special round of applause goes to Rob Mathews who scored a win for the team.

From left to right: Mark Knox, Rob Mathews, Andrew Murray, David Baszuki

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Race Results

2010 MTB Cross Country - Cat 3 - 45-49

2010 MTB Cross Country - Cat 3 - Clydesdale

2009 MTB Cross Country - Cat 3 - Clydesdale