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1st Place BEGINNER
Men Master II 50+
Ken Fretz - WILMINGTON, DE |
Date: June 3, 2001 Event: Guy's Summer Classic Name: Ken Fretz City: Wilmington State/Province: De Country: USA Age: 52 CLASS +/or Age group: Masters II - 50+ Men Category: Beginner XC Race Bike: Gary Fisher Sugar 2 |
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Tires: Wilderness Trail Bikes
Conditions: Muddy
Email: Ken.Fretz@Astrazeneca.com
Did you do anything special (apart from the whole training lifestyle) to prepare for this race?
No Just trying to keep my bike together after some rough rides in Brandywine Creek.
Did you like the way Guy's ran each category separately to reduce traffic due to the large turnout?
Yes. This race was really well organized and well run. There were very few traffic problems on the course aside from us all sliding into each other in the mud but everybody was really considerate of each other.
Were you happy with your choice of tires?
No, these tires were not designed for these conditions but presently they are all I have!
What was your favorite part of the course?
The fast sections in the hard packed sand were good for me and the hills where I could get traction.
Were you strong from start to finish?
I started off good but felt slower the second lap and was glad I didn't have to do a third. I could feel the other guys in my class breathing down my neck and knew we would be neck and neck if there was much farther to go.
Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?
No but one guy let me by and then I fell on a slippery climb right in front of him and stopped him too. I felt so bad that I got to the top and pulled over and let him go head. I never caught him again.
When did you put the hammer down?
During the first lap. Then I just tried to hold on.
Did you have any unusual problems?
I had no problem running the steep slopes where I couldn't hold traction on the bike, but I could not get back in my Shimano SPD pedals for a long time after grinding my cleats into the pedals.
How would you rate the course?
It was a great course and I would enjoy it even more under less muddy conditions.
Were you happy with the way the race was run?
Yes. But I can't complain about the way any of the races were run. This one was very smooth. They each have been different enough to add there own influence to the racing experience. I like the additional unknowns of each race being a little different from the last so I can learn or experience all the different ways races are run.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Just thanks to my neighbor, Claire Hayes for turning me on to these races and
Thanks to the guys like Don Morrison and Bill Deputy and all the great clubs,
shops and sponsors that are putting together and supporting these races for
us to enjoy!