First race for the year - a fun local event to get the legs burning and lungs pumping again ready for riding season.... and well this race sure did that - with an average heart rate of 173, there sure wasn't time to relax and smell the rose's!
The course has been in perfect conditions for most of the winter with absolutely no snow that allowed us to keep our bikes out for the entire winter - but well this is dirty duo, so of course down came the snow just 2 days out, followed by a perfect amount of rain to make the course a mud pit on the lower trails and an icy slush pit on the higher trails. This just made it all that much more fun!
After a quick trip for emergency repairs to John Henry and hour before the race to fix my locked on brake, Jeff had me all fixed up and on time to the race. Thanks Jeff! and with my tubeless now all set up, my Norco was all ready to go.
We were off at 11am, straight up hill, lungs blowing up within the first 5 mins and a nice little technical climb up Richard Juryn Trail. Over to circuit 8 and drop down to the creek and into Bridle, covered head to toe in mud already. Battling back and forth with some of the 25km runners on bridle between the short up and downs of the trail, we hit old buck climb - backs killing me, I stop for a quick stretch. Push on up old buck and pass Tutti cheering us on! (or was he yelling at me that I was going to slow??!) Up baden powell and now hit the snow, with persistence I keep trying to ride up it, but finally give in and walk the last part in ankle deep snow. Ok we are now at the top - NEDs trail here we come, fun but sketchy with the layer of snow and wetness. I hold on for the ride my Norco is about to take me on! I am thankful for the 5 inch of travel on the front of this new race bike!
After an endo on bottle top - I am crossing the creek for the last section. back up and down Richard Juryn and I am at the finish line in first place and placed 4th in the men's division. I am happy with my first race for the year!
Thanks to John Henry and Norco for getting me and my bike to the beginning of the 2010 biking season.
M
