WORS#7 Alterra Coffee - Juniors

Franklin, WI
WORS #7 Alterra Coffee Bean Classic Sunday August 02, 2009
by: Andrew Schirpke

This report starts on a Wednesday. A little early but my dad and I wanted to get in a few extra laps. They race this course every week and are a great group of people to ride with. As soon as my dad came home from work we packed up the bikes and headed south. Heavy traffic meant we’d only have a few minutes to register and warm up.
Much more relaxed start then WORS and a very friendly atmosphere. My dad was riding a single speed so we could pace together. We wanted to practice for the Ore to Shore next week. First lap went ok but with the super tight singletrack it went pretty slow. We were doing sport laps so that was ok with us. By the second lap we were speeding up and the corners began to flow. A few of the really large rock gardens were barely ride able but later I found out they would be cut out of my race. I passed a few more adults towards the end of my second lap and finished with a lot left in the tank. My dad went on to do his last lap but it was so dark he said he had to feel his way through the single. 3rd in age(out of 4) but I was happy with my time.
Saturday came and it was a lot like Wednesday. Packed up the gear and headed to the hill. There weren’t a lot of people staying all day. Many of the racers live around here so they head home after their preride. My dad and I did one lap of my course. The hardest part was the long hill climb named “Craters of the Moon” Made it up with no problems so I was feeling good. My dad took a sport lap and I said Hi to Marilee. Claire Cannon set up the GoPro WORS camera on my seatpost aimed backwards and I did a comp loop with her following me. She pushed me pretty hard. My dad asked me why my face was so red after the ride. Hung out with Jeff and Danielle said hi to a few more friends like Russ and Richard. Headed home for some chicken and pa
Woke up Sunday and let my Mom and Sister sleep in. Had a light breakfast. Got everything in the Jeep and went back to Franklin. Cleaned the chain and started my warm up. Tested the hill a few times to pick my gear. Climbing felt pretty good and I was ready to go. Had a call up for 2nd overall and waited for the Anthem. Don yelled GOOOOOO and we were heading up the hill. Stayed on the grass as long as I could then onto the gravel. A few wipeouts there this year in the Mega Rut. After the hill I was in third. There is a long flat lead-out heading to the single track. I picked off another kid who blew up right after the hill. Martz was the only one out in front of me.  He had me by a few seconds already and just kept pulling away. I hit the singletrack and pinballed a few times. The course was super fast. Tight and tighter. A few bridge crossings and head towards the Alpha. A great trail but today we got to take the easy loop. A couple of small rock gardens and then ribbons of peanut butter. We spit out at the bottom of Craters and settle in for a long climb. I could hear the yelling at the top. My dad was up there with Ben Senkerik who was taking pictures. Thanks to the whole family including John and Lynne for the pix. It was mostly downhill from there. A long gravel road leading to the last wooded section. Tight turns, rock garden and a nice babyhead stump. Final gravel road a short burst up and down to the finish.
A 2nd place and feeling really good. I took my recovery and took a short ride. Later got my METAL. Spent the rest of the day rooting everyone else on. Had a brat and nachos. Attempted to fly a kite, I’ll stick with biking. Practiced a little BMX on their track and talked to all my friends. Nate took his first Elite win and we were stoked. He’s worked super hard this year. Holly had the bling(carbon) on her bike we gave her, it looked good. Talked to MacIej and a bunch of others. Saw Ronsta walk off the course with a flat, that was a bummer. Overall we had a great time though. Secured the bikes and headed home. Now it’s time to train for the O2S. See you all soon. Hopefully the trail cam works and I’ll update you with a link.

Andy