As promised,
I did compete in my very first XC mountain bike race today, and man, what an eye opener.
I loaded up my bike and what i thought was all my gear this morning and headed out to the race. Fifteen minutes before race time, i realize that i forgot to bring my Jersey and shorts, so i end up racing in a pair of board shorts, no shirt, and a camel back. I raced "beginner" as thats what i am in this facet of the sport.
Only about 12 people were in my class, so i was feeling pretty good about it all. When they said "GO" i stomped off and quickly found myself with the lead pack. I couldnt seem to keep up with them too well on the fire roads, but in the woods, i was blazing....that is...for about the first 2 laps of the 3-mile course. When i finished my second lap, i was sitting in second place, but i was already drained, and only 25 minutes into the hour-long + 1 lap race. Laps 3 and 4 were utterly horrible. I was off my game in a big way, and to make matters worse, my camelback wasnt giving me anymore water. First one guy passed me, then two women passed me...i had fallen all the way back to fifth, and i was completely drained.
Then,out of nowhere, i just came alive on the 5th lap. started mashing the pedals and made my way back into fourth and started feeling really good, and not thirsty somehow. Then, i saw 2nd and 3rd place only about 400 yards ahead of me. Right after i started my 6th and final lap. I hammered as hard as i could, and managed to pass both of them in a sandy section. I could see their confidence was destroyed, and i knew i had them for good after that.
The dude who won the class was the biggest sandbagger ive ever seen. His lap times were good enough that he would have won the SPORT class with ease...but whatever.
In the end, i came in a healthy 2nd place. Then i got some cheeseburgers and a free massage.
Oh yeah....and i did it all on my Singlespeed.
I did compete in my very first XC mountain bike race today, and man, what an eye opener.
I loaded up my bike and what i thought was all my gear this morning and headed out to the race. Fifteen minutes before race time, i realize that i forgot to bring my Jersey and shorts, so i end up racing in a pair of board shorts, no shirt, and a camel back. I raced "beginner" as thats what i am in this facet of the sport.
Only about 12 people were in my class, so i was feeling pretty good about it all. When they said "GO" i stomped off and quickly found myself with the lead pack. I couldnt seem to keep up with them too well on the fire roads, but in the woods, i was blazing....that is...for about the first 2 laps of the 3-mile course. When i finished my second lap, i was sitting in second place, but i was already drained, and only 25 minutes into the hour-long + 1 lap race. Laps 3 and 4 were utterly horrible. I was off my game in a big way, and to make matters worse, my camelback wasnt giving me anymore water. First one guy passed me, then two women passed me...i had fallen all the way back to fifth, and i was completely drained.
Then,out of nowhere, i just came alive on the 5th lap. started mashing the pedals and made my way back into fourth and started feeling really good, and not thirsty somehow. Then, i saw 2nd and 3rd place only about 400 yards ahead of me. Right after i started my 6th and final lap. I hammered as hard as i could, and managed to pass both of them in a sandy section. I could see their confidence was destroyed, and i knew i had them for good after that.
The dude who won the class was the biggest sandbagger ive ever seen. His lap times were good enough that he would have won the SPORT class with ease...but whatever.
In the end, i came in a healthy 2nd place. Then i got some cheeseburgers and a free massage.
Oh yeah....and i did it all on my Singlespeed.
ed or whatever. Congratulations, dude, nice showing.
