2007 Peak2Peak Post-Race Synopsis
The day, October 20th, dawned clear and cool and it looked like it was going to turn out to be a great day to race. The colors on the Mountain were just past peak and still vibrant with autumn hues. As the sun raised higher, cars loaded with bikes and gear and racers started pulling in and unloading to get ready for the 2nd Annual Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Race. Music was playing, the air was warming and you could feel the excitement building with each passing minute.
One of the things that I’ve really enjoyed about the first two P2P’s, is that there have been a ton of first-time racers. They have been inspired enough by the beauty of the surrounding landscape, or the encouragement of a family member or friend, or any number of other great reasons, to come out to Crystal Mountain and jump on their trusty machines to engage in the camaraderie of competition. It’s really good stuff.
As great as it is to see new racers born, new races are made by big-time riders and there was no shortage of well-known talent on this morning. Names like Scharphorn, Vicary, Ritter, Jansen, Sanborn and Meyers were there, among others, along with upcoming stars and local favorites like Roth, Vigland (both of them!), Kline and Weitzman. It was, indeed, a great day for a race.
The 2007 P2P was ready to go – or so I thought. Lurking in the unknown was one little glitch that would later rear its gnarly head, the kind of snafu that keeps race organizers and directors up at night, sweating about what still needed to be done and what might have been missed.
What was missing this particular sunny day was one measly little sign on the course, one red arrow on a white background that would, if it were there, have indicated which fork in the road to take. I put up close to 20 signs, countless pin flags, and other markings in the days leading up to the race, sure that every turn, every corner was accounted for. And still, I missed one.
The first complaints started trickling in shortly after some of the Sport-class riders came through the finish line. Some racers had missed a turn and gotten lost, I was told. One (or more?) had ridden all the way out to M115, about a mile off course. S*^#, I thought. How did that happen?
Well, needless to say, there was some serious apologizing to do. And some figuring out how to make it up for the racers who were in competition for cash awards. Unfortunately, what was done couldn’t be undone and the Pro/Elite riders were gathered together along with yours truly, who, with tail planted squarely between my legs, offered comped entries into the 2008 race for some of the more adversely affected riders. Most grabbed a free tee-shirt, as well. I was amazed at how gracious these racers were - they had every right to rip into me but instead, took the disappointment of a skewed race and rolled with it. Good people, they are.
Other than the missing sign, the race was a huge success. The vibe at the Mountain was great. Little kids were running around, husbands were cheering on wives, girlfriends cheered their guys, people rode up and down the Clipper chairlift (free of charge) and everyone from the spectators to the highest caliber racer, seemed to be having a fantastic time in the sun.
This year’s event is taking place October 18, so mark you calendars and get training! Registration opens March 1 and (missing signs aside), this year’s event is shaping up to be the best Peak2Peak race yet! Thanks and see you in October.
Tad Peacock, Race Director