I never thought I would race, mostly because I get nervous and self conscience about my skill, or lack of! But everyone I have ever talked to about my thoughts on racing have been positive and uplifting. I mean, what kind of friend honestly tells you to not do something or say you will suck?!
So, after everyone telling me that I just have to do it, I bit the bullet and signed up for my first race. That doesn't mean I wasn't nervous! But I kept telling myself it was just for fun and even last place is fine, just finish and have a good time.
My wife also told me that I would be able to buy a new bike jersey if I raced, and I really wanted the "Masher" jersey from Twin Six, so I had to race!
Signing up for the race was bittersweet. I signed up, that felt good, but in the Clydesdales category. Now, the way that I made myself feel better was that even an Expert class rider can ride in Clydesdales, they only have to be over 200 pounds... although not many Expert riders are over 200, so hmmm....
But still, racing is racing no matter what class you are in! Right!?
All the beginners lined up for their one minute staggered start and the Clydesdales were in the back. No problem, that's what I was going to do anyway. My idea was to not go bolting out of the gate and just take my time. That way I would feel like I'm just out for a fun ride instead of racing.
But that didn't work... I mean, I didn't go crazy and just mash but I wasn't a slouch. I thought about throwing elbows, but there were only 7 of us.
I quickly moved into third, which was fine for me. Just staying close to the other guys tire and waiting for him to slip. Actually, as soon as we got in the woods, he dismounted for the hill and I squeaked by, but had to hop off shortly after.
So, now in second place, I started thinking "Wow, not too bad!" Although it was like 1 minute into the race...
But on a small track of singletrack before getting to the big hill, Lipbuster, I actually passed two other people from the category ahead of me. I'm starting to get pumped!
They told us Clydesdales that the first one to the top of the hill gets a free pair of sunglasses, just tell the kid at the top. It wasn't my goal in the beginning, but now it was. I was right on the wheel of the number one guy. I had to dismount due to the slick rocks as did the other guy so it was a heavy breathing fast paced walk to the top. Just a few feet to the top, I tried to sprint by, but man he turned on the heat and that was the last I saw of him the entire race.
So I knew I had a good chance at second, just keep a good pace and and a good line. The next section was some really fast switchbacks that with my old tire on the front (Specialized Fast Track Pro) was torture; always willing to wash out. But I put a new Hutchinson Mosquito on the front and kept the Fast Track Pro on the rear and I just glided on those turns without even touching the brakes.
Passed two more people. Really, I never thought I would feel this good and pass this many people so soon. I started thinking that maybe I was going to strong but my legs were feeling fine!
After that section, I didn't see anyone for a while because it got pretty technical and I think that a lot of us were really watching our line trying to fall or pinch flat.
There came a few really fast long downhill sections that I got in my big ring and stomped! I managed to catch someone and pass him, I think he was surprised to see someone go by so fast! But he didn't know that on the hills I was pretty much useless!
It's all about maintaining the illusion!
Some uphills, some creek crossings, some mud, some downhill rock gardens... it became a blur. I just wanted to finish this thing and see where I placed.
Right near the end, less than a mile, I saw a guy off the trail taking off his front tire to change a flat, and I thought it was the number one Clydesdale! Oh my gosh! I'm in the lead!
Spoiler alert... I wasn't. It was some other guy. When I finished, I finished strong, pounding till the end and they told me I came in second. Crap!
Wait!? Crap? Why did I say Crap? I was planning on coming in last if anything, but I came in second!
See, that's the racer in me talking, which I didn't know was there! I mean, I'm not blazing by any means, but I took second! I have to be decent then!
Well, anyway, my wife was proud of me and some friends were there so it was pretty cool. I felt on top of the world! Yet still pissed I got second... He beat me by 10 minutes though and I was 6 minutes ahead of the number 3 guy, so I'm ok.
Needless to say, I plan on racing again although I'm still nervous! But hey, it's fun! You don't have to be pro to race! You just have to enjoy mountain biking!
I just have to get in shape for that 12 miler at Keystone...
Kevin Smith took some pictures during the race and I'll upload those in a minute. Also my wife took some video and as soon as capture it, I'll upload it for you to see. I need a helmet cam or something!
