WORS #3 Mount Morris Challenge

MT Morris was a challenge of mixed climbs, forested single track, fast descents, and rock gardens. It started off with a bit of climbing that descended down into single track flats in the woods. Coming out of the woods again with a fast little section and the more climbing. The second part of climbing caught me off guard. Day started out with Nick, Brett and myself (Brandon) driving up from the Madison area to Mount Morris about an hour and a half away. We were able to get there early and registrar for the races. Brett and I are in the 35-29 Citizen group and Nick is racing the Clydesdale under 40 group. We did a little section of the course as a pre ride before trying to figure out the other sections of the map. The course had changed slightly from previous years.  Brett and Nick are doing the series race for WORS so every race counts.
Our race started with Brett on the call up line. I was seated right behind him at the start. The first hill was rather long and steep so we knew that some people would struggle. I had also done 36 miles the day before in the Trek 100 charity ride so I wasn't sure where my fitness would be. The race started and you could tell some people were struggling up the hill. Brett sat back just a bit and I came around on the climb and tried to stay on the first 5 people's wheel. We went into the woods section and stayed together, jocking for positions. Just before coming out of the woods I was able to move into the 3rd position. The first two guys had taken off and the gap had increased. I started the second series of climbs not realizing the distance. I went to hard too fast. Toward the top I was passed again by the third place finisher and then by Brett. Another racer passed me but since Brett was in front I just sat on his wheel waiting for any chances to pass at the end of the race. I didn't want to help him catch my own teammate. Sure enough on the second lap through the rock garden he took a bad line and I was able to get in front of him and stay in front. Brett finished about 40 seconds in front of me. We took 4rd and 5th place in our age and 29th & 31st overall. Nick had a fantastic ride finishing 1st in the Clydesdale group. The day was a success and we had a great time.