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CURSE OF DARK HOLLOW
XC
by Erik Silva |
CURSE OF DARK HOLLOW XC
Sunday July 16,
2000 Review by Erik Silva
Back For Vengeance!
“Ten years ago, when we first began to explore the trails of Michaux on our rigid, biopace-equipped, toe-clip-havin’, 37 pound boat anchors we discovered a network of singletrack… the best (read worst) of these trails was concentrated above Dark Hollow. The monster loop has always flirted with this region and this year is no different. When you are tumbling ass-over-teacup down the never-ending rock garden from the seventh plane of hell, comfort yourself with the knowledge that you have found Dark Hollow and comprehend the nature of its insidious curse!” –race flyer, circa 1998
The year 2000 brings little change to this race. Indecently another race, Fairhills of Maryland (another large race), was scheduled to occur on the same day as the Curse. But when heavy rains fell on Saturday, Fairhills canceled and drove its racers to battle it out on the wicked singletracks of Michaux State Forest. As always, Gettysburg Bicycle and Fitness did an excellent job setting up the race. Registration was fast and easy and the races began without any setbacks. Racers lineup in mass packs (experts, sports and beginners are separated however). After a short sprint up a fireroad it’s off into the woods and onto the tight, rocky singletrack that this race is famous for. Entering the woods in a leading position was the crucial factor, for passing was nearly impossible. Two $50 preams were awarded, one for the first rider to reach the dam and the second for the first rider to summit the top of the hike-a-bike (a tremendous struggle found only on the expert loop), Dave Radziewicz (Gettysburg Bicycle) sped over the damn 1st and Chris Eatough (Trek/VW) ascended the hike-up 1st. From here the racers made there way through more miles of intense, rocky singletrack and eventually escaped to the final miles of fireroad where all the classes came back together to finish the race. In the final moments of the race riders found themselves charging back up the same trails from earlier in the day and then finally the sprint up the asphalt to the finish line. It must have been some battle over 1st place but in the end Dave Radziewicz was able to make the gap between himself and Eatough over 4 minutes with a time of 2:22:25! Taking the win in the womens field was Jennifer Duncan and not far back came Elizabeth Gross. Not to be outdone was Thais Silva (DEVO) who at age 14 came in with an awesome 3rd place!
This year we lived to see the 5th anniversery of the Curse Of The Dark Hollow, and still it remains relentness. Next year will no doubt be any different, and so racers prepare yourselves for the 6th coming of the Curse.
Pro/Semi-Pro/Exp Senior Men
1. Dave Radziewicz 2:22:25
2. Chris Eatough 2:26:30
3. John McInnis 2:31:41
Exp Vet. Men
1. Mike Capraro 2:39:35
2. Michael H. Kreiser 2.50.37
3. Paul Stachman 2.55.00
Exp Jr Men
1. Peter Schildt 2.58.56
2. Jarrett Sweeney 2.59.22
3. Chad Robbins 3.00.24
Exp Master Men
1. Mike Eatough 3.12.35
2. Tim Messersmith 3.13.42
3. Dave Radziewicz 3.32.39
Exp Women
1. Jennifer Duncan 3.38.20
2. Elizabeth Gross 3.43.03
3. Thais Silva 3:51:25