Two more stops into my East Coast trip and I have been pleasantly pumped with the way things have turned around. Here's a couple race reports; one from nationals and one from the final round of the Pro XCT series in Williston, VT.

Coming in to the US National Championships I took the week relatively easy, keeping fresh and positive after the rough race in Wisconsin. I knew if I was able to ride strong throughout the whole race then I would be able to finish strong like I had as a junior. Riding at my own pace for the first two laps I was comfortable in 5th/6th place as I approached the half way point. With two laps left I could barely see fast-man Casey Williams at the top of the grassy switchback climb (~45seconds). That got me excited! I knew I was riding strong on the longer, less steep climb and decided that would be where I could reel him in. Half way through the final lap of the race I powered by Casey into 4th place and tried to put as much time into him before the descent and short punchy climbs of the second half of the course. Unfortunately I had gone way too deep trying to catch him and went into the descent a little cross-eyed from the effort and was unable to respond when he attacked in the final climb of the race. Did my best to hang in for a sprint finish but ended up losing about 10seconds by then end of the race. All in all very happy with the 5th place finish, big improvement from last year's 10th and still room to improve by the time next year comes around!

Short track went okay at the National Champs, with the U23 and Elites in the same race it was always going to be fast and hard. I had a good start until a little tangle-up with Mitchell Hoke on lap one but rode through until starting to fade around lap 3 and seeing lots and lots of people go by. Finished up 26th which leaves me wanting more in these short races in time to come!

During the week following Nationals I spent a night in Boston, checking out Newbury Street, Fenway Park, and the Parlee Bikes HQ and Factory with intern/friend Rob Auchincloss. Following Boston I found some more friends in New Hampshire who work at Highland Bike Park and spent a day riding the rad trails there on a loaner DH bike followed by riding a baby moto for the first time. One thing to say: these guys are doing it right, and thank you for putting a roof over my head for the week!

This past weekend racing the Catamount Classic Pro XCT in Vermont was another exciting race to finish the national XC season in the US. The course suited my riding style pretty well, with a lot of open grassy fields needing lots of power and a few mildly technical sections in the trees. It was always going to be a hard race starting at the back of a 60 man field, but I had fellow Skyhawk Mike Sampson to keep me company and CX champ Jeremy Powers to try and ride with on the flats. I decided to take it easy off the start and ride into the race, finishing strong as people started to fade. This race plan worked well, keeping consistent with lap times I continued to move up through the field throughout the race. Eventually finishing in 16th I am stoked that I was able to put together a good race and excited to make it into the top 20 of a Pro XCT. Still room to improve for next year!

Short track followed about the same protocol as the cross country, starting at the back of about 40 guys it was a slog the whole way. Ended up riding a strong race after a pretty shocking start finishing again in 16th place, just ahead of birthday boy Mike Sampson. Welcome to your 20's!

This week has been spent in the great land of Quebec, Canada, trying to get by with year 9 French class and growing a pair to ride la Beatrice (rock garden in the Mont Sainte Anne XC course). It's been a great week of recovery and relaxing with a bit of training and go-kart racing with Coach Rotem, Payson, and Levi.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! These people have played a huge role in making this East Coast trip possible:
 - Dirty Harry's bike shop for helping me out when mum and dad told me I needed a new helmet
 - Lauren Catlin for being my feeder through Wisconsin and Nationals, and sunglass lender after I broke mine with my helmet in Wisconsin
 - Grandmas and Grandpas on both sides for coming out to Nationals and cheering and supporting all the way, you guys are great!
 - Mr and Mrs Noonan for providing me with such a wonderful home to stay in during Nationals
 - Joe, Andrew, Lauren and Chad for showing me the Highland way of life
 - Chris, Noah, Sarah, Billy, Aaron, Nick, Elisa, Crystal, Vanessa, Brad, Tom, and Mikey for welcoming me into the floor sharing life of the North East
 - And of course Mum and Dad, Corey at Ultimate Ride, and everybody else who is always there for support and smiles!

Now is time to do a tiny bit more recovery to race the Eliminator here in Mont Sainte Anne tomorrow morning, wearing USA kit and #72. Have to make it through the timed qualifying round in the top 32 (out of 72) to be seen on RedBull TV at 5pm Quebec time. Go hard or go home

Next blog to come with more exciting news and hopefully photographs :)

Cheers,
Ryan