Knowing I had the weekend off of work, I set out to find something to preoccupy my free time. Realizing my riding has been lacking any real high end pushing, I figured doing a cross country race should
be in order. My procrastination took the best of me and I didn't decide on a race until the night before. Not only did my procrastination take over, but my lack of being prepared or reading the fine print. Luckily, good friend Eric Hill was setting out to do the same race. Thanks to he and his girlfriend Sarah, transportation, water bottle hand off, and great company were all taken care of.
An early morning wake up call after a quasi night's sleep on Eric's pull out couch, which actually felt pretty plush compared to the vast array of sleeping quarters I've had since moving. See below for the best example.
Off to the races we went! All that was on my mind was not forgetting my bike shoes, helmet, and SV jersey. Unfortunately, I don't fill out my jersey like it looks in the link, but I have to say this has been the most comfortable jersey I have ever worn. Capo has the woman's fit figured out! My biggest complaint with tops is how most creep up your waist throughout a ride or race. The last thing you want to think about is pulling down your jersey, and with a looser fit at the waist, this jersey doesn't creep up or give you that elastic band "muffin top" feel. You know what I'm talking about.
Race time, and my body was feeling terrible and I hadn't even made a pedal stroke. Ignoring the lead in my legs and not having my pro license yet, I registered in the pro category. I tend to enjoy jumping in the deep end of any situation and hoping to figure out how to swim through it. Still not knowing all the details of the race, I set out to warm up on the course the same way I would in the Vail Rec District Mountain Bike Series. These races are a bit shorter and typically start with a monster climb that you need to be warmed up for. Little did I know that here at Boggs the race organizer starts us out with a 2 mile road climb followed by a rolling 3 mile single track before even starting the timing of the race! Lesson #1, I probably didn't need the 30 minutes of fire roads before the race. Check.
Line up time. I love this part of any race. It was a mass start, so I wasn't sure who I was racing against but enjoyed checking out the scene, bikes, and people's nerves. Seeing other people nervously chat has a way of settling my own inner chatter. We were off! Here is where KJ learned Lesson #2. When racing you should really have a sense for how long the race is and "pace" accordingly. I went out hot, silly. The 5 mile start wasn't even a part of the race. There was no point of riding up with the fast boys on the climb. Silly. My lead legs continued to feel heavier and heaver and I hadn't even technically started the race yet!?! Smart, KJ.
That was the tone for the three hours I ended up being on my bike. I kept wondering when I would start to settle into a pace or when my body would just start enjoying the race. It wasn't until mid second lap when I heard a female voice behind me. She rode my wheel for a good portion of lap 2 winding through some of the best single track I've ridden in California yet! Forgetting about the sharp turn off the single track up a steep grade road and cakdjcakjdcakdjcekja... there goes my chain.... and there goes first place. Quickly, I tried to shift through the chain suck but got off and fixed it instead. Cursing my bike and my small wheels, I wanted to send Gary out to pasture that very moment! I then saw her pull away, I had no drive to push through the frustration of the second mechanical of the race and the beginning of my cramping that nagged along with me for the remainder of the day. This is where I rode. I was no longer racing and I was officially fighting with my body. As I rode along, feeling crummy and trying to enjoy the trails I heard someone cheering my name up in the distance. I thought to myself, "who knows me here?!?!"..."Is it a surprise from a Colorado friend who absolutely had ENOUGH with all the snow they're still having?".... Nope, it was Julie a new friend and little spit fire who's been coming to my group rides! She looked sharp in her Capo Bacio Short Sleeved Jersey and matching Capo Bacio Shorts. Julie is just getting comfortable with mountain biking and absolutely loving it. Here's a shot of her enjoying some of the race course that day. Thanks Julie! You made the pain subside and kept me motivated to keep pedaling.
Seeing Julie out there changed my perspective for the rest of the race. Yes, I was still cramping and proceeded to drop my chain one more time, but it reminded me why I love mountain biking, and more importantly why I moved to California. Julie is a great example of an amazing woman who really wants to get into mountain biking. She
has the heart, athletic ability, and focus but just needs a little instruction and company for getting started. I saw a bit of myself in her during group rides as she'd go back and ride and re ride sections until she got it. In a way I feel like I'm giving back what Kerry
White, Gretchen Reeves, Lisa Isom to list a few of the amazing women who've helped and continue to help me along my way. If you ask me, that's worth much more than first place.
So, as I inched my way across the finish line for second place, I reviewed the lessons of actual race tactics I learned that day as well as reminded myself why I race.
Some days you have it, others you don't. When the day comes to an end you're just riding a bike, so have fun and remember to share the fun with others!
Went home with a little cash, a cool medal, some electrolyte mix that Eric and I's verdict is still out on the better flavor of HEED. Strawberry? or Lemon Lime? Great job as he crushed his singlespeed field! Pain and race "mistakes" aside, it was a great time with some amazing people and fun new trails!
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