WORS#4 Subaru Cup - Juniors

Mt. Morris
WORS#4 Subaru Cup Saturday June 20, 2009
by: Andrew Schirpke

The Subaru Cup started with a drive up on Friday. My dad,cousin and sister came along. Our new ritual is to stop for chinese food, and have a solid hour of laughing. Hotel let us check in early, whirlpool room…too bad we never used it. Got ready and headed to the hill. Looked like rain but we wanted to get in a lap. Sister held the keys while we got ready. It started to mist but we thought we’d chance it, registration wasn’t open for another hour. 5 minutes into the trail and we went from damp to completely soaked. We headed to the overhangs of the chalet and stood there looking at each other wondering why we were so stupid. Change out of the wet kits and into damp street clothes. Headed to the bar for a grenadine cherry cola. Registration finally opened and we decided to pack it in, of course the sun came out. Too late, we voted and swimming won. Went to Piggly Wiggly and bought some carbs. We then spent an hour slowly nuking water and noodles. It took forever to get to sleep, we all just kept talking.
Late wake up Saturday as we didn’t have to race until the afternoon. Breakfast and a ride to the hill for a couple loops. Mom called and she and my aunt and uncle had just got to the hotel. We headed back to meet them and got ready at the hotel. Back at the course my dad started his XC race first then cousin then I was up. Reports were the trail was in good shape with some peanut butter spots. The guys from Mafia Racing hooked me up with some Pabst stickers before the race. Since my lucky frog was still drying in our room I thought I’d use the stickers on my fork for a little bling. It was in the high 80’s and no warm up was needed, just a light stretch.
Got my call up and was waiting for Don to say GOOOOOOO!!!!! I hammered it up the start hill. I got to the front for a moment and then settled back into second. I remembered my father told me to get into the singletrack as fast as I could. I did! This was our first 2 lap race of the year and I didn’t know if I could keep up the pace. The PBR stickers were working, my bike was on fire. I had a racer blow by me and wondered how he could do it. 15 seconds later he answered my question as he faded to nowhere. Held behind Fletcher as close as I could. Usually he dissapears but I was catching glimpses of him in the open. 1 lap down one to go. My pace quickened and I managed to hold onto 2nd. Best finish of the year! After tons of high fives reality set in. My dad entered me in the Super D on Sunday. No juniors there just citizen riders and up. Didn’t matter I was just on the podium again.
Out for pizza and it was getting late. Back to the hotel for a quick swim until they closed the pool and then time for bed.
Sunday we got up and headed to the hill. Rode the ski lift up and got a practice run in. It was fast and technical. check out the link…

http://tjharron.smugmug.com/gallery/8640762_kMxT7/1/570197048_GQ9cY#570197048_GQ9cY

Back in line for the real thing. Got to the top of the hill and waited for our wave. I was going to be racing 14 and under. They have 3 years on me! Then I found out we were racing 18 and under!!! A running start makes for an interesting race. Got a great cyclo mount and I was moving. It all happens so fast you don’t have to worry about thinking. No wrecks and a 4th place finish, too bad it doesn’t help my points. I was happy to see I was 18th overall for all of citizen.
I spent the rest of the day watching short track and saying hi to all my mountain biking friends. Great weekend and the 2 week rest may be interrupted by a Wed. night race or a Saturday WEMS 3 hour solo…we’ll see.