Methow Cycle & Sport Mountain Challenge Race Report 6/21/09 by Russ Moul

This is my third year of racing and third trip to Winthrop. All I recall of my impressions from the first year is “what a brutal climb” and “what a sweet decent”. Last year was more memorable. Standing at the start line waiting for our start I heard a disturbing sound, “pssssst”. I commented to Vince that someone was not going to be too happy. Turns out it was me! I was flat before we entered the singletrack. I was running tubeless, so I just aired the tire up with a cartridge, gave it a spin, and hoped the Stan’s would seal it. During the race, I stopped once more before leaving the lower loop to air up, using my last cartridge, realizing this would have to hold – it did. Nothing like adversity to make your ride hard, I was sure I would finish at the back of the pack. I remember struggling up the climb and tearing down the descent; I finished third and was tickled.

Would this year be better? Winthrop is among my favorite courses, it is technically challenging, has a tough climb and rippin’ fast decent. Long climbs are my nemesis so Winthrop is definitely a challenge for me. The weather was cooler this year, overcast, and threatening to rain, so there was no worry of overheating.

This year I got off to a clean start and entered the singletrack in fifth position. At the bottom of the first little downward grade, I was able to move into fourth. I was now on John Roberts’ wheel, he has been beating me all year, rolling through the forest. My strategy – stay on John’s wheel until the climb, then stay close enough that I can overtake him on the descent – I’m a better descender. About a half to there-quarter mile into it, I’m thinking “this pace isn’t that fast, I can definitely push this”, so I called “on the left” and passed the three riders in front of me in one fell swoop. I was in the lead. The trail through the woods has its share of narrow sections and tight abrupt turns and a few big dips to get through. If you can find the flow, you can carry a lot of speed through it and its really fast. I got in my big ring and found the flow. Now, I’m thinking “put time on them, you need a buffer before you hit the climb”. At this point I’m riding well and passing a lot of riders in categories that started before us. Every time I pass someone I’m thinking “that is one more they will have to get around too”.

The section of trail beside the lake is pretty much the same as last year. There are three places where a fair portion of the trail has slide down to join the lake, how refreshing. At this point I’m determined to maintain my pace so I just look past the narrow spots, if you ignore it, it can’t hurt you can it? I pass a single speeder just as we begin the gentle climb up from the lake. Part way up the climb Mr. Singlespeed passes me. Now I’m thinking, “crap, starting to climb already, they have to be closing in”. I make it a point to push uncomfortably hard to stay with Mr. Singlespeed, I stay with him until we enter Magpie. I ask Mr Singlespeed if he is fast on the descent, he pulls off to the right and says, “Go”. I did. I hammered through Magpie, having pre-ridden it Saturday I knew exactly what to expect.

Next thing I know I’m passing through the registration area, the climb looms ahead. Starting up the single-track climb it isn’t too bad yet – I’m still pushing hard enough that I’m uncomfortable. Mr. Singlespeed and I trade places a few times; when he is in front he is pushing me to work hard – good. Next we hit the road climb, I can see about seven riders as I hit the road. I begin to gain on them – all of them. I’m climbing as strongly as I ever have. At this point Mr. Singlespeed pulls past me and I’m beginning to anticipate getting back on the singletrack. I make it a mission to get past all these folks before we hit the single-track. I get by them all – I can’t believe I’m climbing as well as I am. Soon the hard climbing begins. Mr. Singlespeed and I trade positions a couple times. It starts to sprinkle on us; nothing serious. Later I learn the experts got treated to a pretty good rain in this same spot. Eventually, it gets steep enough that Mr. Singlespeed dismounts and I pass him for the final time. The climb is through nice tree cover, rather scenic, "was it this long yesterday?"

Finally, I arrive at the last stretch of road and it is short. Then the 180-degree turn on to the single-track 45-degree climb up the side of the hill. This is a tough climb, but if you pick your head up you can see down on the road. Mr. Singlespeed is entering the single-track a bit behind me and I can’t see anyone else. At this point there is still some tough climbing remaining but it isn’t that far. Now I’m thinking, “get to the top, then descend fast, but not stupid fast, and you’ve got this.”


People may recall from last year the last of the climb, up the “down hiller section” that is terribly loose. This year there is brand new trail (raked in on Saturday) that switchbacks around this. The turn of the switchback has a steep step up in it. I dismounted for this and pushed my bike over the “bump” and up on to the second leg of the switch back. Still no one on my tail – “stay calm don’t do anything stupid.” Now I’m cresting the top, it is all downhill from here. The top part of the decent is loose steep section after loose steep section. There is one I remember particularly well. A steep entry in to a tight right turn with a tree on the right as you approach the turn. I came into this a tad fast and in an attempt to slow a little more planted my front wheel firmly into the loose dirt. It feels like endo time. I save myself the
humiliation of an endo by smacking my knee firmly against the tree. "Ouch, that's going to leave a mark." Now I’m thinking “what where you saying (to yourself) about don’t do anything stupid?” Back on the bike and before I know it I’m on the old road, this is way fast. Then it is back on Magpie, still working hard, there is always someone chasing.

Then, its over. My first Indie Series win!
~Russ Moul

Many, many more photos complements of Joel can be found here

Recap of Placings:

Jr Boys Beg 11-14
2 Jackson Burklund
3 Keegan Fitzpatrick

Jr Boys Sports <18
5 Erik Beattie

Sport Women 35+
7 Jenn Sinclair

Sport Men 35-44
5 Henry Shaw
16 Chris Liebsch

Sport Men 45+
1 Russ Moul
7 Francisco Pons

Expert Men 35-44
1 Pat Fitzpatrick

Expert Men 45+
2 Vince Haag
9 Allan Beattie

Open Men
1 Matt Lynch