Long Pine Classic

Michaux State Forest

July 5, 2009

By Ray Adams

In its first year, the Long Pine Classic drew a sizeable crowd including some of the fastest racers in the Mid-Atlantic region. The course was a great mix of sweet singletrack and dirt roads, with some tough climbing and rock gardens thrown in to add to the challenge.

Mike Yozell and myself contested the race on behalf of the visitPA.com racing squad. At the start, we both got top five positions as we entered the woods. Brandon Draugelis and Marty Kell sat in front, with young Kyle Hammaker chasing from behind. After a few high speed singletrack sections, Hammaker and Yozell had passed me opened up a small gap. However, I knew that I could take them on a decent size climb as I had been training for Trans-Rockies over the past few weeks doing tons of hill work. As I hoped, there were two more large climbs to do and I capitalized on the opportunity to pass by them and move back into third place. Kell and Draugelis remained ahead, too far up to catch. Darn those rascals.

I held my position and finished in third. Yozell earned fourth place, and Hammaker rode in for a fifth place finish.

Big thanks to Zach Adams for promoting a great event!

Thanks also to our sponsors:

• VisitPA.com
• Rudy Project eyewear and helmets
• Northwave shoes
• Suunto wrist-top computers
• Cannondale bikes