Well, in short
I was doing well until I felt like my bladder was going to burst, (I had do go from the start which was delayed for quite some time
) so on a steep hike a bike about mile 2, I turned to the woods and went
I watched 7 or so guys run past. I felt better after that, and rode back through a good number of those that passed me. The course was 16 miles 14 of which was mud. On one of the sections not covered in mud (a long fire road downhill, I missed the turn in,
about halfway down, and had to climb back up about 200+ yards to duck back in. I lost several places because of the bad marking, and was pretty pissed which helped me catch and pass several more people. I stopped one more time when I found my friend sitting on the side of the trail, flatted out, I asked if there was anything I could do, and he said no he had everything he needed, so I took off.
This was one of the muddiest rides I have been on in a long time. I had mud and debris down my crack, and saturating my chamois (not very comfortable).
I pushed myself to 13th place in my division (30-39yo) (hey echo cant compete here now so I am safe from him whoopin me!) and when I look at the times and the time I lost, I could have easily had 11th place as there was only 2minutes and 9 seconds between my 13th and the 11th spot and I know the guy in the 11th spot passed me when I was climbing back up to the entrance into the woods!
I knew I wouldnt podium with all the sponsored guys riding in my class, but it is fun to just check and see how all the riding and training pays off! This was my celebration of being back on my MTB for one full year, after 4+ years off of it!
here are the results
I did well, I feel good about it, and am ready for my next challenge!
about halfway down, and had to climb back up about 200+ yards to duck back in. I lost several places because of the bad marking, and was pretty pissed which helped me catch and pass several more people. I stopped one more time when I found my friend sitting on the side of the trail, flatted out, I asked if there was anything I could do, and he said no he had everything he needed, so I took off.
This was one of the muddiest rides I have been on in a long time. I had mud and debris down my crack, and saturating my chamois (not very comfortable).
I pushed myself to 13th place in my division (30-39yo) (hey echo cant compete here now so I am safe from him whoopin me!) and when I look at the times and the time I lost, I could have easily had 11th place as there was only 2minutes and 9 seconds between my 13th and the 11th spot and I know the guy in the 11th spot passed me when I was climbing back up to the entrance into the woods!
I knew I wouldnt podium with all the sponsored guys riding in my class, but it is fun to just check and see how all the riding and training pays off! This was my celebration of being back on my MTB for one full year, after 4+ years off of it!
here are the results
I did well, I feel good about it, and am ready for my next challenge!
I yelled "YOU GOTTA GET A MARSHAL AT THAT TURN IN... I HAD TO COME BACK UP, THE HILL... THERE ARE STILL 2 OR 3 GUYS WHO MISSED THE TURN AND ARE DOWN THE HILL!" he was like huh? oh OK! I just kept riding...