Sunday, April 1, 2001 -- Oilville, VA
Spring AMBS #2 Camp Hilbert Dog Wood Blossom
(iPO Event Id#: 3191)
Story and photos by Dana Harshberger
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Results by Class]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[Set 7]
[Set 8]
[Set 9]
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Yes, there is a bike under there
Have you ever wanted to ride your bike through chocolate pudding, with
leaves and twigs tossed in the mix as well? For those that enjoy the
challenge of racing with the slipperiness of mud added to the
equation, you missed your chance at this week's installment of the
Atlantic Mountain Bike Series (AMBS). Held at bucolic Camp Hilbert, just
outside of Richmond, the course, which is twisty and fast in dry
conditions (has there ever been a dry race at Hilbert, you might
ask?), got pretty mucky as the day wore on. The rain continued its
decent, adding to the "classic Camp Hilbert" conditions.
Funny man and race promoter, Dan Comber, commented at the
pre-race meeting for the noon race, that it was a lucky thing that the
Clydes were in the 10am start, as they had squished all of the water
out of the trails! This was not bad thinking, and might've even
worked... if the rain would've held off.
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There was still plenty of great riding
While standing at the starting line, this reporter overheard
Charles Bowman's strategy for the race: Watch Charlie take off,
and hang on! Yes folks,
Charlie Storm was on the line for the
Men's Pro Category, fresh from his first place finish out in
California, at the Sea Otter Classic. Apparently not tired-out from
traveling, Mr. Storm was off the front, with a trail of riders on his
tire. Lap after lap, while other racers were getting muddier and
muddier, Charlie appeared to float over the same mud that sucked in
other riders. He cruised in over the finish at 1:54:38, and was met
by his dog, Tucker Misty Mountain Hop Storm. Tucker greeted Charlie
with a high five! Soon to follow was
Bryan Ralston (1:58:24)
and
Chad Davis (2:04:40)
As rider after rider completed their race, the common comment heard
was that the bikes must have weighed twice what they normally would've
with the thick coating of mud and leaves that nearly everyone's bike
wore. You couldn't shake it off or wiggle it out.
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Fun (well, maybe) for all ages
There were some that actually liked the rain (but maybe not the muck).
Joe Fritch (Men's Expert, 2:04:55) being one that welcomes the
rain because it clears the air of all the allergy producing pollen.
You see, Joe, with his allergies, races better in the rain, because he
can breathe!
Luckily the rain abated for the Super Junior race, held earlier in the
day. Three riders strong, this race had an amazing show of
sportsmanship. About mid point into the race, one young racer either
had a mechanical, or just was plain out tired, and decided to get off
his bike and throw it down. In a wonderful display of mountain biker
helpfulness, fellow rider Corrie Rice, got off her bike and
somehow convinced the other rider to finish the race. The pair rode
to the line amidst many cheering spectators! Isn't it great to know
that the sport has such fabulous up and coming riders.
So folks, be sure to turn out next Sunday, where the action will be at
Walnut Creek Park, near Charlottesville. Check out the iPlayOutside
AMBS
schedule for more details, or the AMBS site at www.bikeracing.com.