Here is what the natural selection after our hill climb ended up being just a few of us...moving away from the pack of about 35 or so in the Masters field. These guys obviously have ridden together quite a bit and played some drafting games before we hit the grass "single-track" before the actual wooded singletrack. I was in my big ring from the start, stood up most of the way up the hill till about this point. The two red/white/blue guys, were sailing pretty hard from the time we got onto the grass. I didn't see them after mile 8 or so. I chased down 3rd place from the time we got out of the woods to make our second lap. 
But before the second lap ended I wiped out on this slate covered creek crossing. It didn't look like this race day AT ALL, it was running water about 3/4 inches deep and the slate was slick as snot. My goal was to sail like a feather, fast and furious across it and make it up the small rooty hill on the otherside. That plan did not work out, the front wheel slid out and down I went on my right side. That would be the only time I spent on the ground for the day. The second lap, I decided I would cyclocross it over the creek up the other side and around the hard rooty tree turn and remount. It worked, I didn't loose anytime and stayed on-chasing 3rd place. We worked to pass groups of riders and slower folks and he slowed in sections where it was slick. I noticed his climbing ability wasn't quite as strong as mine and knew the uphill section with the left hand banked turn was coming up. I was hoping to pass him quietly, hit it hard and fast, not leave any opportunity for him to get on my 
acceleration. Well, I surged on the left, he moved left, I surged again right just as hard and he moved right, we hit the banked left turn at the top of the hill and he hit the throttle. I figured also letting him lead the entire lap, would wear him out, or push him to make a mistake as well. That wasn't the case, this guy can ride and really handle his bike and pick some great lines though the trail. I knew I had very few opportunities to pass in the last 3 miles or so and we were really flying. I thought, if I can get on his wheel coming out of the
woods and get up and sprint, I can get him in the hard right turn at the finish in the tape. Well, as you can see, I was close, but decided it wasn't really worth the 3rd place and extra 5 bucks to throw him into the tape and trees in front of the 'crowd' at the finish line. I just thought that wasn't very "pro" and a bit unnessesary at a local race. I think the guy knew if I wanted to be an ass I could have been more aggressive and just come by him. These two pics by the excellent photographer (my wife) tell the story at the finish. 
≤ Tim did well and got an excellent 6th place at his first ever MTB race. He and I celebrated by jumping in the lake after in full Ohio Orthopedic/Moro kits. The water was warm and the crowd in the water was ... well interesting.
There were some very "un-pro" guys on my first lap about 5 miles in- overtaking a few of the Women racers at the dumbest passing point. I moved over to block them and called them out and told them to chill, since they could have taken all of us down. Again, it's just a local race - settle down out there boys, you are racing Sport not PRO at the Norba nationals.
So, with a few bruises on my right side, cash in my pocket, the 4th place sticks. Best result of the year so far.
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