Date: 8/23/99
Location: Mount Snow, VT
Written By: Justin Thompson

      As the end of summer nears the last major event marked on mountain bikers calendars is the NORBA National Finals held in Mount Snow, VT for the second straight year. While driving up to Mount Snow with Greg "the moose" Ferguson I set 3 goals for the coming weekend.

Goal #1, A top 10 finish in the Junior Expert XC race.
Goal #2, To be the 1st Place 16 year old in the Junior Expert XC race.
Goal #3, To finish the season with a top 10 Junior Male XC national ranking (ranked 9th before Mount Snow).

      We arrived in Vermont on Tuesday night for a 4pm race on Friday. On Wednesday we rode the course twice and later that night I was bit by a poisonous spider. I went into shock and also got flu symptoms. On Thursday I tried to catch up on sleep, tried to eat and was barely able to go for an easy spin. As Friday rolled around I was very nervous, not only had I just gotten over being very sick but this was also the biggest race of my cycling career so far. Luckily I felt good when I woke up and was ready to rock. Our race was three, 6 mile laps. Each lap contained lots of climbing, roots, rocks and rough singletrack. Laps were taking about 40 minutes to complete. Right from the gun I got a good start and I knew I was going to do something today. For the first lap I was in the 4th and 5th spot. As the race went on I gave up 2 spots and finished a respectable 7th place in the biggest race of my life. I accomplished all 3 of my goals and was fairly pleased with my performance. Once again my TREK 8900 performed flawlessly. My SRAM gripshift was the best in the world. I didn't miss shift once in the entire race! I chose to run Bontrager Revolt ST2 treads and the hooked up well in the wet, muddy roots of Vermont. Hayes Disc Brakes also proved to be the best for the nasty conditions. I overheard many people say this year at Mount Snow was the best NCS Finals ever. It definitely got my vote. It was the perfect closure to another awesome NORBA National season. Until the 21st century the NORBA National season is calling it quits. See you next year!