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I raced the Lewis Morris Challenge Cat 2 race this morning. It is a part of a series out in Jersey, pretty local to the city (about an hour from BK). The Cat 2 race was two loops of a circuit that had a good mix of single and double track. It wasn’t really technical for a NJ race but it was very hilly. The race ended up being just under 10mi with 1300ft of elevation gain. It definitely suited my skill set (err lack thereof) being a physically challenging course. 

The start was hectic as always but guys were seemingly panicking so I was happy to make it out without getting tangled. First lap went by really fast, thought maybe too fast, and I let a small gap open. Thankfully, the opening lap WAS too fast so I caught 2 of the guys coming up a double track hill. I got onto an E2 Value guy’s wheel and sat on it for about 3/4 of the lap. The plan was to sit, let him lead me through the tech parts where I was slower and wait for the final climb/ gravel finale to attack. I ended up putting in a test surge to remind him I was there and he didn’t respond so I led through the final descents/ switchbacks. He was on my wheel when we got into the final 1/4 mile gravel road and I was able to sprint and hold him off for 3rd. 

I have really enjoyed racing on the mountain bike this year. I’ve made it a kinda-sorta goal to get some Cat 1 upgrade points so I can upgrade to Cat 3 in cross before this fall! Assuming USAC still allows those cross-over upgrades.