Today I did the Hodges Dam XC race , Tropical Storm Charley also came through here today.
When I got today to go to the race it was raining BUCKETS!!! I almost didn't go, But heck I had Already Pre-regitered and paid , plus I pre-rode the course several times. so I went.
well the rain let up, and it was a Light rain when I got to the start.
When I got there I was informed that Charley had forced a Major course change , instead of 9 mile loops ( 1 in my case ) it would be 4.3 Mile loops ( now Have to do 2 ) . What happeend was the original course had a river crossing about 50 feet wide , 2 feet deep and a strong current , well today they said it was about 75 feet wide , and 4 feet deep and a raging current , and they felt this was not in the best interest of saftey.
SO , now my pre ride Knowledge goes right out the window . and there are lots of BIG mud puddles , slick roots and and slippery rocks. overall the course was alot of fun.
Just as we were lining up for the start the rain stopped.
any way I was racing begginer old farts , and I did my usual slow start. , but after about 3/4 of a mile I kicked it in and started catching and passing people I was about 3/4 of the way through my first lap, I had moved into 3rd postions and could see the guy in 2nd, when On a fast downhill, My rear tire got caught up on an off camber root and down I went hard! Knowing the conditions were slick I decided to wear Knee and Eldow pads. thank good ness I did, I came down full weight on my Elbow and slide down the hill. Got a wicked case of road rash from above my Knee pad right up to the back of my Butt check. I also knocked the wind out of my self . As I got my self up a couple of guys behind me passed me.
I got pedaling again, But I Just couldn't get my legs back . it took till about 1/2 way through my 2nd lap I started to feel strong again. I was able to catch and pass 2 ofthe people again , and finished 4th.
then I went to medical and let the paramedic clean me up a Bit, ---- ow that stung!!!
and anyone who was racing was covered in Mud !
When I got today to go to the race it was raining BUCKETS!!! I almost didn't go, But heck I had Already Pre-regitered and paid , plus I pre-rode the course several times. so I went.
well the rain let up, and it was a Light rain when I got to the start.
When I got there I was informed that Charley had forced a Major course change , instead of 9 mile loops ( 1 in my case ) it would be 4.3 Mile loops ( now Have to do 2 ) . What happeend was the original course had a river crossing about 50 feet wide , 2 feet deep and a strong current , well today they said it was about 75 feet wide , and 4 feet deep and a raging current , and they felt this was not in the best interest of saftey.
SO , now my pre ride Knowledge goes right out the window . and there are lots of BIG mud puddles , slick roots and and slippery rocks. overall the course was alot of fun.
Just as we were lining up for the start the rain stopped.
any way I was racing begginer old farts , and I did my usual slow start. , but after about 3/4 of a mile I kicked it in and started catching and passing people I was about 3/4 of the way through my first lap, I had moved into 3rd postions and could see the guy in 2nd, when On a fast downhill, My rear tire got caught up on an off camber root and down I went hard! Knowing the conditions were slick I decided to wear Knee and Eldow pads. thank good ness I did, I came down full weight on my Elbow and slide down the hill. Got a wicked case of road rash from above my Knee pad right up to the back of my Butt check. I also knocked the wind out of my self . As I got my self up a couple of guys behind me passed me.
I got pedaling again, But I Just couldn't get my legs back . it took till about 1/2 way through my 2nd lap I started to feel strong again. I was able to catch and pass 2 ofthe people again , and finished 4th.
then I went to medical and let the paramedic clean me up a Bit, ---- ow that stung!!!
and anyone who was racing was covered in Mud !
) feel like such a putz racing in mud. Your bike is heavier, your balance is all off, and you go soooo slow!
