Howard's Hole @ 2026 Snowshoe, WV GNCC & AWRCS Round Full Lap of Rock Gardens & Mud Slinging 55+ A

Even though it was once again raining and muddy - I still love this race. Once again, I had some bad luck at Snowshoe. Regardless, this is the first year I finished on the podium here ! I began to jump the start because in the moment my mind was like 'the guys right in front of me are who I'm racing against' and I started to take off when their flag flew. So, I waited for the other rider on my line to catch up with me before I took off. Well, 'took off' are strong words - because my bike wasn't fully warmed up and bogged for the first couple of minutes. Once it was warmed up though, I hit the gas and caught and then passed the other guys on the line in front of me. Once I got onto the back side of the mountain, I started to ride a little more conservatively - and ended up getting repassed for the lead. (For the record- I don't think that you should 'WOOT' or rev at anyone in front of you that you know is in your class ! That's YOUR race - and you should find a way to be faster and get around - not WOOT for someone in your class to let you by ! ...which is what I unfortunately did.) The backside is also where it gets more muddy in places. When I hit the muddy sections at 6-7 miles in (about 0:21:30 ), I was thinking 'man, I chose the wrong tire'. I was struggling to keep momentum going straight and keep power on without the rear end stepping out. However - I later found out - that wasn't my real problem. So I really struggled the second lap and tired my self out in the slippery, muddy sections. I had lost touch with the leaders and had a decent gap behind me so I pulled out after that lap. Later, when my son was trying to push my bike to load it, he asked if it was in gear because he could hardly push it. I said it was probably just all the mud around the breaks and chain, wheels, etc. However, when I was cleaning the bike, I couldn't get the front tire to rotate. I ended up finding a Snowshoe souvenir - a rock jammed in between my rotor and rotor guard. ...which explains a lot. All said and done though, I enjoyed the race, and really found myself having a much better understanding of the entire course - and REALLY look forward to next year. Please give a thumbs-up and consider hitting that subscribe button if you like what you see / hear. If you don't - and feel like hitting the thumbs-down - how about leaving me some criticisms / feedback in the comments below instead ?? I can't fix it if you don't tell me. I can take it. hahaha Drop a message if you see yourself. And Thanks for watching. If you like the video, PLEASE give a thumbs-up and consider hitting that subscribe and Bell button ! So why would you give a thumbs-down ??? Come on Man! Instead- Just tell me in the comments what sucked ! Please support those who support our sport- Want pic- Nic-Pics- https://nicolecaudill.smugmug.com/ Need a Beverage- http://www.bentrunbrewing.com Need gear- https://www.flyracing.com Need a bike, parts, service- https://www.fivestarcycle.net/