CCCX DH Race Report by Eric Trausche

So yeah, I forgot to write race reports for the Kirkwood 6hr Super D
(really fun, more climbing than expected, 1st place in my age category)
and the Watsonville Surf City CX race (first race on my CX bike,
blisters on my hands afterwards, 6th in the Open B's). So now a full
report on last Sundays CCCX DH race at Toro Park.I went there together with Scott, who was the only one who I could
persuade to go. Lot's of people tried to convince me to do the CX race
in Golden Gate park but a DH is way more fun.

The weather turned out to be perfect. It was sunny and pretty warm when
in the Sun. The rain from the day before made the track super tacky and
really fun to ride. We got there pretty early at around 9:30 which gave
us enough time for a couple of practice runs. We met a bunch of people,
amongst others Scott Seery, a former TWW warrior.

Eventually it was time for the race and started out on the first stretch
on straight fire road, spinning my legs out with my 36t chainring. I was
sporting my Reign since the course doesn't really require a full DH rig.
I just put on one of the new WTB Weirwolfs on my front wheel and whoa,
I've never ridden anything that grippy. There was one pretty moist and
loose off camber section in the course which really freaked me out but
the tire would hold the line really well and I made it safely to the
bottom. Just before the finish line they had a nice double which we
practiced a bunch of times before but in the race my chain got stuck and
I couldn't pedal to get enough speed for this thing so I came up a bit
short but made it anyway. I guess it's time to put the chain roller back
on my crank.

So yeah, I ended up winning the Sports 19-34 (under my pseudonym Frik
Transcheke as the result list indicates) but I was more stoked about
stealing a second off Scott's (who secured a podium himself) time.

But then again if you see the times of the pros going down this hill I
don't even know where they gain that much time on you.

Next race is Dec 12. and I will probably go there too, if it isn't
raining cats and dogs.

Erik

Click here for the full gory details!