“Proud, but not really 100% satisfied” would I call the result from 3rd race! Last weekend I started at the Ritchey-Challenge in the Franconian Swiss, near Bamberg !
There was the Longdistance to Beat, 80k and 1700DA(Difference in Altitude). I spemd the night before the race at an old Friend of mine. We had, better I had 1 Bottle of Beer and about two glass o red wine, and we made the Franconian Bayreuth feel a little bit insecure. And than, after 3,5hours of sleep, my Alarm-Clock raised me up and sun were smiling in my Face, already. Of course, I had not that much huner nor nothin`to quickem my appetite ! So, I made me go a little bit groggy to the starting place to Lizendorf! Over 1200 Starters, Brazilian rhythm-Bands, exibitors, and the Dirt-Bike Contest decorated the First event. Line-Up was at 9:45o`clock, so, I had to line-up right in the middle of the fileld, because the front places were really early busy.
Whatever, 80k`s is long enough to gain some places !!!!

At 10:00o`clock the starting signal was set and the huge Field of Participants were lead by the Year before and Overall Winner Strobel, Andreas.!!! The First 8k`s you had to ride over tar and turf grids, where I was able to work me up to the front, and than, it went immediately steep up the Franconian Forest ! Almost, when you arrived in the Forest, we all had to shove our bikes up on a complete muddy, with leaves covered trail, because of all the bikers, it was not ridable anymore! My White Sidi`s become a real nice brown new color ! ;-), but than the course went well and nice !

Gravel, Field paths and Single-Trails themed specific for the 40k/800DA round-course. Ever and Ever short steep Upways,up and down, up and down! Partly with 13%, so the field divided very early in small groups.
It Draw on your strengths a lot.I can say. But As I`m a real fierce mountain rider, the course fits me. I was leading a small group and kept on overtaking all the time. And at the end of the first round we were under the first 30`s ! Shortly before the end of the first round there was a 300m long mud-mountain were you had to shove your bikes up again, it wasn`t real nice.
Caused by the shoving part, you soon looked like a Pig. I was felling really good and my Powers were allright, but suddenly in the middle of round 2, it happened. I got awesome cramps in the thigh`s. I couldn`t hold my legs still and had to met my bike. What de fuck 2do, right know??? turn around and give up? But than, a small voice inside of me said”Jörg, clench your teeth, a Pirate never gives up and knows no Pain”!!! So, I ignored the Pain and rode on the smallest chain up the mountain to the catering Station!
There I paused for 5 minutes, and ate everything I got in my Fingers. Overeaten I made me on my way again for the last 20k`s with these rough mountains. The cramps ease up and I was able to shift on the „Big Gear“ again, but the Power in the legs were no longer there !

But I was able to gain a few mor places to the front, and arrived, in spite of everxthing, the Pause, the turn around and my sour legs, on the 71th overall ! 80k`s and 1700Da`s with an average pace of 23km/h, not that bad after all !!!;-) The group I rode with in the first round, finished under the first 30`s, were I normally been landed as well, when my legs would`ve played a better game with me! But I?m proud of my fighting spirit, but not 100% satisfied, because a place under the first 30`s were reachable !
What`s that supposed to mean?

Redwine, Beer and deprivation of sleep is not the perfect preparation for a race! …But it taste so good !
That`s all from the Ritchey-Challenge-Conqueror,

Pirate Jörg

Next Race will be the Großglockner-King „up-up the Hill“