Event: RACE FOR CHOCOLATE

Name: TIM MESSSERSMITH

City: YORK

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 50

Place: 1st

Category: Expert

CLASS +/or Age group: 45+

Team: FIRST CAPITAL VELO

XC Race Bike: TREK FUEL 100 / HAYS DISC BRAKES

Tires: HUTCHINSON MOSQUITO TUBELESS

Conditions: COOL / MUDDY

Email: TIMMES@MSN.COM

How was your fitness level going into this race?

I'm still feeling a bit fatigued, due to too much work and not enough play!

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Yes, I was leading but Rich Cordero was a bit too close at that point.

Were you strong from start to finish?

Yes, Actually I was feeling good all the way through.

When did you put the hammer down?

I tried to stay consistent all the way through. You could say I started hard and just kept pushing!

Did you have any unusual problems?

Well, with all the mud in my tires I was having quite a bit of trouble keeping the bike up when the front wheel would hit the off camber roots and logs.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes I feel everyone did an excellent job.

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

There where numerous competitors that cheered me on as I was passing them, like this one fellow as I was grinding through the mud on this one climb said to me, WAY TO SUFFER, but I really didn't feel I was.

Anything you would like to add?

I would like to apologize for having to leave before the awards. Again, I would like to thank everyone for cheering me on. I want to thank Adventure Cycling, First Capital Velo, and Trek for their support.