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My first DH race

Shyrmp

Shyrmp

Nekkid Girl Gone Wild
Dec 31, 2002
1,457
20
The suburbs of Mexico.....
a.k.a. Why TreeSaw should have come to Cali this weekend....;)

It's late, but I can't sleep (maybe too much adrenaline...or pain :p ), so I figured I would write a short description of my first DH race this weekend. :D

Day 1

I attended the Women's Only Weekend at Big Bear. Saturday was the clinic day, I decided to sign up for the Intermediate Downhill clinic to start working on my DH skillls and to give my new bike a workout. Saturday morning was dedicated to sessioning different areas of the trail to practice different skills, such as cornering, rocky sections, and braking. It was during this time I came across my nemisis...a small rock waterfall section.

Here is the best shot I have of the waterfall section, but please note it is not me riding down it.....yet.



After looking it over and with instructor and all my classmates watching, I prepare myself to go for it. I gun it, clear the entire waterfall section...it is then I realize I have way too much speed...hit that nice pointy rock you see off to the right, which cause my front wheel to pop in the air...at which point I manual a little farther down the trail until I hit another rock that launches me on to the log, which I decide to give a big hug.

I pick myself up off the log, dust myself off....quick check....yep all body parts seem to be functioning...and then continue on down the trail.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful...I did crash at the waterfall section again in sort of the same fashion...but without the cool manual attempt as before. I came away from day one with a lot of knowledge, more skills, a LOT more confidence, and some great new friends. All in all a great day!

My first number plate! :D



Next up Day two!
 
Shyrmp

Shyrmp

Nekkid Girl Gone Wild
Dec 31, 2002
1,457
20
The suburbs of Mexico.....
Day 2- Race Day

When I pre-registered for the Intermediate Downhill clinic, it would only allow me to register to race Sport Class or above, so I ended up in Sport 19-29. I found out on race day I could have choosen to move down to Beginner but decided to stay in the Sport class and see how I did (even though I ended up racing with girls who had been in the advanced DH clinic the day before).

Me checking out the waterfall section during a walk through on my practice run to pick a better line then falling on the log. :p



Me gunning it.....



And yes I did fall again, but this time on the other side of the trail...I didn't want the other side of my body to feel it was not getting enough attention. ;)
It was at this point in time I decided to use the bail-out line for this section in hopes of having a clean run.

Just a random shot of me during practice.



I felt fairly good during practice so I was excited to get the race under way. My goal for the day was to have fun and make it down the mountain in one piece.

A shot of me during my race run....adding just a little style to the turn. ;) :D



I crashed a couple of times on the way down, but I got to the bottom and pedaled as hard as I could to the finish line. I ended up in last place (5 of 5) with a time of 7:58, the girl in front of me had a time of 7:15, and the top three were between 6:35 and 7:00. If I had moved down to Beginner I would have gotten first place, but I woulg have been ahead of the second place person by more than 1 minute, so I feel it was the right decision for me to stay in sport.

Even though I didn't podium and walk away with a trophy...I did win this at the raffle! (THANKS HARO!!! :) )



All in all a great race and a great day!!!! :thumb:
 
Velocity Girl

Velocity Girl

whack-a-mole
Sep 12, 2001
1,279
0
Atlanta
Congrats on your first race. Sounds like you had a great time which is what it's all about!!!

I'm still bummed we won't be out there for the 12 Hrs of BB :(
 
MMcG

MMcG

Ride till you puke!
Dec 10, 2002
15,457
12
Burlington, Connecticut
Way to go Shyrmp! Looks like you learned a lot and had a blast - and won a free bike to boot! Schweet!!!

Those pictures are great! Way to go - is the next race really the 12 hours of DH? Will you keep racing regular DH races as well?

Awesome stuff - that bike is pretty nice too!
 
Shyrmp

Shyrmp

Nekkid Girl Gone Wild
Dec 31, 2002
1,457
20
The suburbs of Mexico.....
Echo- Last place does kick ass! :D

VG- Thanks! I'll miss you during the 12 hours, but I'm sure you'll be having fun rockin' the East coast.

MMcG- Yep, next up is the 12 hours. Kick training into high gear later today on my new bike...that is if I ever get to sleep. :p And I plan on sticking with regular DH races too, I'm hooked!
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,811
2,132
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
Dag nabbit!!! I just knew I should've hopped a plane!!!! :mumble: That settles it, I HAVE to come out now!!!! ;)

Looks like you had an awesome time! Congratulations on your first race!!! Now, you'll have to give me a clinic when I come out!!!! :D
 
Heidi

Heidi

Der hund ist laut und braun
Aug 22, 2001
10,184
797
Bend, Oregon
Sweet! I'm glad you took advantage of that clinic.

Hope that is just the first of many races for you.
 
Gee Spot

Gee Spot

Chimp
Sep 13, 2002
67
0
rochester, ny
Heather, way to go on your first DH race... Looks like it was a good time and great pics. Nothing wrong with last either..... you finished and that is always an accomplishment in itself... Congrats!

Yeah and nice raffle win...
 
Shyrmp

Shyrmp

Nekkid Girl Gone Wild
Dec 31, 2002
1,457
20
The suburbs of Mexico.....
Heidi said:
Sweet! I'm glad you took advantage of that clinic.

Hope that is just the first of many races for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks Heidi! :D

I'm really glad I took the clinic as well....it really helped a lot for me to learn my weaknesses and strengths as a rider...and I would definately encourage more women to go to this. It was a wonderful weekend. This is the start of many more races to come! :)
 
RhinofromWA

RhinofromWA

Brevity R Us
Aug 16, 2001
4,622
0
Lynnwood, WA
Shyrmp said:
Day 2- Race Day
A shot of me during my race run....adding just a little style to the turn. ;) :D



All in all a great race and a great day!!!! :thumb:
Click to expand...
What in the world are you looking at? Or are you that camera shy? :D

It is good to hear first race weekends go so well....don't expect to when another bike at your next race....:D

I haven't won jack from a raffle in 3 years. :( :D (I am just jealous ;) )
 
Orvan

Orvan

....................
Mar 5, 2002
1,492
2
Califor-N.I.A.
Shyrmp said:
I'm looking in the direction I'm supposed to be going down the trail on.....plus I'm camera shy ;) :D
Click to expand...
or you smelled my funk within the vicinity.....


Heather is seeking a racing partner for the 12 Hr of DH Race in August. Interested parties, PM Shyrmp...
 
douglas

douglas

Chocolate Milk Doug
May 15, 2002
9,887
6
Shut up and Ride
Orven said:
or you smelled my funk within the vicinity.....


Heather is seeking a racing partner for the 12 Hr of DH Race in August. Interested parties, PM Shyrmp...
Click to expand...

I'll pay reg if you all pay for my plane ticket :)
 
MMcG

MMcG

Ride till you puke!
Dec 10, 2002
15,457
12
Burlington, Connecticut
RhinofromWA said:
What in the world are you looking at? Or are you that camera shy? :D

It is good to hear first race weekends go so well....don't expect to when another bike at your next race....:D

I haven't won jack from a raffle in 3 years. :( :D (I am just jealous ;) )
Click to expand...

Is that a bike I see in the background of that pic? Is that the photographer's bike or did another racer get gobbled up by the woods? :)
 
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