WORS #3 Big Ring Classic

Photo Credit: Rusty

WORS (Wisconsin Off-Road Series) races are always tough races, and Wausau's Big Ring Classic was no different. It seems that the competition at these particular ones are always a step up from the norm. I especially hate the starts. They are extremely fast, hectic, chaotic, physical, and did I mention extremely fast.

Sunday was my first WORS race and the starts haven't changed. If anything they have gotten more frantic. I had jitters at the start and my only ambition was to make it out of the start alive. A mile into the race I found a pace suitable that would allow me to race full steam and yet avoid a bonk. This particular course is fast and riding in 80 degree weather for the first time I new I would balancing between cramping and bonking.

Lap one allowed me to get a feel for the course. I hung on with a guy from Team Polska and Allterra Coffee. We traded pulls and were gaining on riders through the single track sections.

Lap two was spent dialing in on the riders in front, weaving through traffic, and not bonking. The single track sections during lap two became more complicated. But I managed to hold my own, passing more riders than having riders pass me. That, for me, a middle of the pack racer, is key!

By lap three many riders, including my team mate BJ, were falling victim to flat tires in the rock garden section. I was finding it harder to pedal over the rocks and longer to recover. About midway through lap three I began to feel the twinges in my legs. Knowing that the cramps were beginning to set in, I backed off, willing to give in a little to have strong finish!

The finish line couldn't come any sooner. I rode to a 51st place finish, my best in a WORS race so far. But for some reason I believe I can do better. That will have to wait till the next one! I's also noting that I out sprinted a gentleman at the finish who was riding on a single speed bike (no gears to shift in and out of). Come to find out it probably wasn't a classy move to out sprint a single speeder! Thanks for the heads up BJ (single speeder himself)!

Thanks to my super fan, Nikole, for the water bottle exchanges and to the "rents" and in-laws for the personal cheering section. Hope you enjoyed watching the race and seeing me in my outlandish spandex outfit. Attractive eh...?

Single Swizzle

Sturgie