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Photo: ©DAVE REICH

Race: WORS #2 Crystal Lake Classic

Category: Pro

Distance: 30 miles

Place: 3

Time: 2:07:57

Bike: LaLonde Bros Steel rigid SS 29er

Tyres: Bontrager 29.1 (2.2F/2.0R) 18psi

Ratio: 36/16

Race coverage: WRITE UP AND VIDEOS

Interview: HERE

On the drive home I repeatedly found myself asking, "why/how the fuck did you ever stop racing your bike." While the answer is yet to be found I'll openly admit that a comeback is in progress. I've spent the last 6 months quietly smashing myself in order to achieve a mental state only 6 months of smashing is capable of. All this bike practice finally came full circle this weekend at the 2nd stop of the WORS series in the Crystal Lake Classic.

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous... enough to feel like it was the first time I did this. As I tired the line I questioned my gearing... tyre choice... seat height...Goooooooooooo! We were off, nerves fading into the dust behind as I positioned myself appropriately. We meandered through the leadout miles before establishing a group of 5 into the singletrack. The diesel was on as I learned the course. We closed the first lap with a solid gap on the chase just as a rider broke off the front of our group. The flyer didn't last long as I went by him in the single track and continued to drive the pace which wittled the group down to three. NATHAN & BRIAN came along for the ride just as the rain started. In a few short seconds drops turned to a downpour resulting in a panick for the lead. With Brian anticipating a "called" race we amped the pace and made our way through the remainder of the lap. We came into the start finish are glued to each other as we were waved to keep going. The rain slowed and eventually stopped leaving us with some of the most primo trail around. With the dust gone and tack applied it was on! Surges came and went, lapped traffic began to surface, and early into the final lap the rain was back. Brian positioned himself on the front slowly turning the screws as we yo-yoed through the intestine that that is Crystal Lake. I was on the rivet, not thinking clearly when the gap formed... Brian was gone. The feeling of deja vu surfaced as quickly as the realization that this was a race. As my fight dissolved into the puddles around me I was comforted with placing higher than expectation. 3rd, I'll take you but will be trading you in shortly. Next time...

Comments

Great job Jesse!

Posted by: Mark Cole | May 22, 2012 at 01:06 PM

Awesome!

Posted by: Josh | May 22, 2012 at 01:47 PM

Been a fan from afar since your Cheq.40 win. Looking forward to the Mark/Jessie singlespeed domination tour. Maybe the little guy with the nice shoes in the Windy City will join you.

Posted by: SC | May 22, 2012 at 02:03 PM