Overall Win against Kids Half His Age!

From PCG Athlete Mike McManus, coached by Gordy Paulson! Overall win since his 25-year hiatus!

"Hey Gordy,

"Here is the race recap I forgot to send with the pictures yesterday. 

"TREK Wisconsin Off Road Series

Reforestation Ramble at the Reforestation Camp in Suamico, WI

"This season was my first mountain bike racing in 25 years and this was the final race of my 3 race return to the sport. It was also my hometown race.

"It was a relatively flat course with lots of sand. Flowing single track mixed with dirt roads. The single track was turny enough that best speed came from smoothness rather than power and the road sections were long enough for sufficient passing opportunities. Since the series starts by age group, the 50+ start in the back and there is a lot of traffic to overcome in the Cat 3 field. My tactic was go as hard a possible on roads and recover on the single track when stuck in traffic. 

"The start was a half mile of flat road and went away REALLY hard compared to the other Cat 3 races I've done. The series leader drilled it and another guy went with him hard enough that it wasn't worth the effort to try to get to the front. I followed until the speed finally let up about 20 yards before the single track. They seemed a bit gassed, so I passed entering the single track. I was also a bit winded, but I recovered well and was able to get back on the gas. I tried to maximize passing opportunities on the road sections and push hard enough that my FRC battery was close to empty by the next single track, then focus on being smooth and recovering.  

"The last 2 races I won my age class and was 10th overall for Cat 3. I thought I could do better overall if I was able to maximize passing opportunities with hard efforts on the roads. It worked out well since I got the overall win. Pretty fun to have the power to motor past kids half my age. 

Thanks Gordy"

Congratulations Mike!