Race Report: Mayhem MTB Race 2021
The venue at YMCA Camp Ockanickon is the perfect spot for a season opener race. Known for its relatively non-technical course of single track, double track and gravel roads, beginner riders get a taste of racing while also encountering the venue's iconic features: a railroad tie step descent, wooden bridge crossings, and "Blueberry Hill" - a short but painfully steep hill. The minimal elevation equates to non-stop pedaling for advanced racers, who get to gauge how well their winter training has been.
After a long, cold, isolated winter, it's no surprise registration sold out.
The staging was spread out in a modified time-trial format to accommodate COVID regulations. Racers started 4 at a time in 30s increments, which meant it was difficult for racers to know where they were placed relative to their field during the race.
New and seasoned NJ NICA racers alike tackled the Mayhem course. The success of NJ NICA, now in its 5th season with nearly 600 student-athletes, has fueled a surge of young cross-country riders into the local race scene.
Nick Polidori, Cat 3 Men 19+, attacks the Blueberry Hill descent.
Edan Paggy charged to 2nd place in the Cat 2 Open Women class
Thomas Watrucki logged 39 miles in the Men's Endurance class.
Corey Jones raced in the Cat 3 Men's 45+ class.
Craig Bradley, Open Men 55+ grinds up Blueberry Hill.
Finley Aspholm chose to race the Cat 1/2/3 Junior Men 15-18 class, where she set a blistering pace and took the win.
Steph McKeon was all smiles racing the Women's Pro/Open class.
Stewart Gross won the Open Men's Endurance category, putting in 52 miles in just 4hours 10minutes.
Bobby Lea took 2nd place in the Men's Pro/Open Class, missing 1st by a mere 14 seconds.
None of this would be possible without the hard work of race promoter Chris Schultz of Chainring Promotions
A little mud, a little blood, a whole lot of smiles.
The time-trial format and ceaseless effort made this race an internal battle.
Overall mood for the day: thumbs up.
Results
Endurance Women
1st. Denise Esposito
2nd. Loreta Krivickiene
3rd. Jennifer Ropka
4th. Amy Fowler
5th. Ann Fryland
1st. Denise Esposito
2nd. Loreta Krivickiene
3rd. Jennifer Ropka
4th. Amy Fowler
5th. Ann Fryland
Endurance Men
1st. Stewart Gross
2nd. Benjamin Strine
3rd. Jeffrey Slade
4th. Ian Cronin
5th. Randy Yarnell
1st. Stewart Gross
2nd. Benjamin Strine
3rd. Jeffrey Slade
4th. Ian Cronin
5th. Randy Yarnell
XC Pro Women
1st. Steph McKeon
1st. Steph McKeon
XC Pro Men
1st. Gregg Galletta
2nd. Bobby Lea
3rd. Ryan Lee
4th. Roger Aspholm
5th. Matthew Bruno
1st. Gregg Galletta
2nd. Bobby Lea
3rd. Ryan Lee
4th. Roger Aspholm
5th. Matthew Bruno
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