KC Cup 2009 - Race Report

Heartland put on another fine festival of events over the weekend at the new Kansas City hot-spot; Swope trails. Saturday things started off with cyclocross. The course was sweet with a mix of dirt single track, some pavement and lots of turns through grassy terrain. I couldn’t tell you how many folks were actually racing but there were just as many kids and wives out watching which was great to see. Chipotle donated 100 burritos for the event, which were sold and profits benefited the local trail building pocket book of the ERTA. The weekend of events was a fundraiser for them so that the 50ish miles of trails that have been planned can become a reality over the next decade. I’m psyched to see this happen!

Out for the race were many locals. A few note worthy mentions are Dave Wilson, Jamie Jeffries and Brian Chasm. These fellas love to have a good time riding bikes! My main man Dave Wilson brought home 3rd in the Single Speeed class, ripping it up 'multi-bike' style on his mountain Bike with skinny tires. Nice riding Dave!

Dave getting ready to dominate...

Brian felxing his single speed muscle power.

Jamie ripping the course.

Sunday was the XC Mountain Bike race. I had long awaited this event! I knew that most of my riding pals would be racing and I was even more psyched that my Wife and Son would be there cheering me on!

I raced the usual Single Speed class. We started off the line 2 minutes behind the Experts. The course started with a series of pavement to dirt single track jaunts, then down a paved road for a ½ mile and finally into the woods on the dusty, technical and rock covered single track. I had a great start considering all the pavement (which can be slow going with only one gear). I was trucking it pretty good and went into the woods in about third position in my class. I was ripping through the trails and feeling great. My knees did not bother me one bit, even after all of the worrying! Knowing that the 8-pins section was coming up, I was able to pass a handful of riders and get in there, without what would be a potential road block. I knew that the 8-pins section was so technical that riders would crash, walk or just go way too slow. I love this section and planned to blaze it on my bike, no walking for me...that would make me feel like a real looser. I made it about ¼ of the way into 8-pins when I lost my chain. I tried to put it back on and keep riding three times. It kept falling back off. I finally realized that I had somehow bent my front chain ring!!! F%&K!!! This is the second chain ring I have taco’d in two weeks! This time it was my White Industries (last time it was a Surly). I laid my bike down and grabbed the nearest rock, then proceeded to beat the ring until it was straight enough to hold the chain and I was back riding. I would guess that 25 riders passed me during that time. Bummer!

I knew there was no hopes for a podium finish now but I was NOT going to get another DNF, so I decided that I would just do as planned and keep riding hard and pick-off as many riders as I could and finish the race. I was feeling solid and riding well when I decided to grab my water bottle for a refresher and it was gone. I guess during my ghetto bike repair I had lost my only water bottle! Bummer again; I was thirsty, but still determined to keep cranking along! Thankfully when I passed My cheering section (Dave, Racer, Timbo, Kelly and Seamus), Kelly had an extra water bottle and she handed it to me and I kept on riding and was so thankful she was able to hook me up! I did at some point along the way find my missing water bottle on the trail, so I grabbed it as I passed and was good to go.

Still feeling solid on my last lap, still passing riders and most of all having a great time, I popped-out onto the final climb to the finish and sprinted to the line. I was feeling great and ready for another lap! I had a great race and if I had not had the mechanical on my first lap, would have made the podium! I don’t care so much about that though, so all was good and off to the ‘free sponsor beer’ cooler I went! I placed 6th and by the looks of the lap times, I was way behind after that first lap but made up a little time on the second! It was great to have Kelly and Seamus there cheering me on and awaiting my finish at the line. It’s cool to be able to hug your kid when you finish a race and feel the love. He was cheering me on the whole time! Thanks Bubs!

My Family at the finsh.

My bros all had great races. Cameron took 2nd to Shad in the Expert race. Garet pulled off a close 3rd and Travis came in not far back in 5th, also in expert. Nice riding fella’s!

Cam enjoying some post race hydration, straight from the case study that beer does rehydrate you better than water!

Cam (2) and Garet (3) on the podium.

Tige (1) and Travis (5) on the podium.

All in all it was a great weekend of racing and a very well put-on event! Special thanks to Heartland, specifically the local boys for all for doing the trail work, making for the best trail in Kansas City hands down . Special Thanks to Travis Stephens for doing most of the man-work building these kick-a$$ trails.

Cowtown Posse in disguise!

Results are HERE

Hope to see you all out at the Swope Trails soon, be it riding OR building! -Burnsey