Event: BLUE MARSH

Name: TIM MESSSERSMITH

City: YORK

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 50

Place: 1st

Category: Expert

CLASS +/or Age group: 45+

Team: FIRST CAPITAL VELO

XC Race Bike: TREK 8500 / HAYS DISC BRAKES

Tires: HUTCHINSON PYTHON TUBELESS

Conditions: VERY MUDDY

Email: TIMMES@MSN.COM

How was your fitness level going into this race?

My fitness seems to be holding, but I would like it to improve a bit, since I'm headed out to Big Bear on May 10th.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Well, not exactly because I took a little spill (imagine that). I was in third position and had a bit of trouble passing going into the single track. I got into the lead as soon as we go into the single track. I had a bit of trouble holding off Rich because he was catching me in the hike a bike section. I was able to get away from him on the muddy down hills.

Were you strong from start to finish?

I started hard and just spun mud the whole time!

When did you put the hammer down?

It was hard to put the hammer down since it was so muddy! It was just a matter of surviving the conditions. I just let it go on the down hills and held on!!

Did you have any unusual problems?

The problems that everybody had. Ex: shifting, wheels clogging up on the hike a bike, and just staying on the bike. Although, the full set of fenders I had on the bike was a blessing!

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, everyone did a fine job! Nobody could help the weather and God knows that we needed the rain!

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

Not more than a little bit of complaining to each other about the frustration of mud.

Anything you would like to add?

I would to Thank Don Morrison for organizing and participating in this race series (I think Don should be riding in the expert class) I would also like to Thank Bill Deputy for tredging through the mud and doing a very wonderful job with all the photos and posting them the next day! Thanks to the First Capital Velo Team and Adventure Cycling for letting me be part of their team!!