John and Connor looking pristine before the start

John ripping down the pinnacle plummet

Connor moving along

The aftermath; we survived yet another day at the office

The Pinnacle - NECS #3, Newport, NH
Last night's rain sure made a mess of the pinnacle.  I know some folks that didn't show up because of the wet conditions, and after spending nearly 2 hours in it today I understand why.  Today's race featured the spectator's delight of the Pinnacle Plummet, a quick down hill ski jump (some racers caught some air off the actual wooden jump platform) that removed the loose muck from the eyes with speeds hitting 35+ on each of 3 laps, 6 miles apiece. 
It was a mass start for each category and somehow Connor and I were off the back.  It funneled into an uphill double track, which immediately got clogged with walkers.  The conditions were soggy, with the rain getting worse by the lap.  I knew the course would be slick, but when the bike slipped out from under me mid-span on a wooden bridge, smacking my back on a support post, I thought my race was over.  Since I could still breath with mild discomfort, off we went.  Next came the long root that crossed the single track at a very slight angle, just enough to wash the front out and plant my face into the trail.  OK, now the we got that out of the way within the first 4 miles, the rest of the race was uneventful.  The uphill was endless, the downhill was fast single track, but I was now riding in caution mode instead of the flat out race mode.  This resulted in a finish towards the bottom of the pack of sport masters for me.  A lot of DNFs due to mechancials, crashes, etc., so I am thankful for at least finishing the race.
Connor was just a few minutes behind, helmet cam  running, getting lots of "what the hecks???" with the camera.  He had a solid race, no crashes, and finished 2nd in sport juniors.  Oh yah, there were only 2 entrants, but he still got the second place points for the series. 
I will post the video link when the movie editor completes his job (finals this week, they come first!)
Since Moody Park was cancelled, the next NECS race will be the Horror At Harding Hill, 7/19/09.  It will a blast, so some of you closet mountain bike racers should come out and join us.