Iron Hill Challenge

Newark DE
Iron Hill Challenge (MASS XC #4) Sunday May 31, 2009
by: James Ambagis

Iron Hill park in Newark DE is one of the oldest MTB venues in the region.   Races have been held here for 20 years now.  It is the first place I rode a MTB off road, the first place I raced MTB, and the place around here I like the best.  The small park offers long and challenging climbs, rocky descents, and lots of sweepy singletrack.

On the day of the race, I showed up early to help the promoter out with registration.   Always good to lend a hand to the community.

As I got dressed for the race, I noticed I felt a bit tired and my allergies were bothering me.  I was a little concerned how I might do as a result, but I put it out of my mind.

The start came fast enough and I rolled into the top 4 early on.   A few of the players rolled into and out of the top four and I was lucky enough to be a part of that select group.  We rolled off the front one mile into the race and I saw no other riders.   My friend Mark took a bad crash on a technical downhill which allowed me to move into third.  After making sure Mark was OK, I kept going.   The rest of the race was a time trial for me, pushing as hard as I could but not blowing up.  I was feeling good and ready to celebrate my first podium finish.   About two miles from the finish, I saw the next rider from my class and put my head down.  After passing lots of riders from the classes in front of me and only have two riders from the class behind pass me, I was feeling good.   I kept the rider behind me behind me up the largest climb, down a technical section, and started up the last (crowded) climb of the day.   The 4th place rider became the third place rider and I hung my head.  Big mistake on my part, but I learned a valuable lesson that day.  Never give up.   I decided I needed to push it to the line and came within 8 seconds of the rider that passed me.  I think I could have beat him in a sprint and I already knew the old “Pass the rider fast and break their spirit”. 

It was bitter sweet when I handed out the awards for the Sport and Enduro classes and got to stand behind the top three riders of my class.  

More races to come though and more opportunities to get up on the box.

(Photo by the uncomparable Dennis Smith - - www.dennisbike.com)