By Sammy Williams
Father’s day and The River Valley Rumble. After making the podium in the first two races of the 2016 AMBCS in the Cat 3 19-29 division I was hungry for a win. Being my first year to race, I knew this was an ambitious goal having lost the previous races to new-found buddy and race enemy Ryan Amthauer who would be there to rumble. During the week I put in some solid training to give myself the best chance.
My race morning started with a heavy dose of caffeine and eclectic mix of tunes on the drive to Ft. Smith. The course starts with a rather long straight-away of dirt path and bike path, and from the start I decided to take the lead to hopefully hold off the other racers. Into the woods, we start up a short, rocky, technical climb, and at the top I find myself with only Ryan on my wheel. As we snake through the rest of this first section of singletrack I try to lose him to no avail. Looks like it’s going to be another dog fight.
After the first few miles of very rocky trails, we hit tight, twisty, hard pack with the occasional sandy turn to keep you honest. Ryan and I plow through the course with no sight of other challengers. Capping this section we come upon an exposed trail that is false-flat, and my body is testing my mental strength. “He’s going to pass me. I am going so slow,” I think, as we push onward. No passing, and I am saved by some down sloping singletrack back in the woods.
The course continues with an increase in rocks and roots as you snake back and forth, up and down. At the crest of top of one small climb, we come to sweet wood structured roller. Why not? Ryan and I hit it for a little added fun to our race. With Ryan still hot on my trail, there are only a few miles left, and I’m starting to worry. Telling my legs to shut up a number of times. With about two miles to go we enter an amazing, bermed downhill, followed by flat singletrack through a thicket. The trail is very tight, and requires sharp bike handling skills. Here is where I was able to create separation. The woods end and the finish is in sight. Ryan is 25 yards behind me. I have to dig deep, but I find my reserve tank. I hit the gas hard, and speed through the finish. Did I just win?? Yes. Happy Father’s day to me.
When it was all said and done I had traveled 14 miles with an average of 11 MPH. Those numbers include my warm up. The course was 9 miles of great singletrack. I ended up with 667 ft of elevation gain, and worked for every foot. This is my first year racing, and I am having a blast. Thanks to Ben Upchurch for inspiring me to race, and thanks to Ryan Amthauer for pushing me during the race. Fat Tire Fest, here I come!
For more information on the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series click here.
Click here to view the race on STRAVA Flyby.
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