Arizona Race #1

The first race of the year is finally out of the way!

Last weekend was MBAA Race #1 McDowell Meltdown .
The morning of the xc race I was feeling rather stimulated. After a loooong break from racing I was excited to get back to what I love best...RACING MOUNTAIN BIKES! Yee Haw! During the hour long drive to the venue my adrenaline level continued to rise to an intoxicating level.

What is desert racing like? How fast would the local Pro class be? Was I going to do something stupid again?

I was about to find out.

Lining up for the start was...interesting. Most times everyone fights for a top spot on the starting line. This time however, even though I showed up somewhat late, the best spot on the line was left wide open. Of course I slipped right in : ) I was feeling confident and rested and was aware of my autopilot kicking in. After so many races the starts just become automatic.

Then the countdown...5...4....3...2...Go! We were off and racing and I was instantly glad the waiting was over. I grabbed a great start leading off the line and for the next 250 meters or so.

Approaching the singletrack I was ovetaken by two other races and glad to let them ahead of me. The next mile was an easy but steady uphill into the wind and I was happy to be in their draft but still near the front....so far so good. The pace was hard but not too hard was we climbed and climbed. Finally as the grade leveled of the pace increased dramatically and I was in a full panic trying to keep up.

These guys were FAST! Extremely skilled riders as well and I was having difficulty staying in contact. Riders behind me were trying to pass and intimidate me into moving over but I stoked the fire enough to catch back up and maintain 3rd for the next 10 minutes.

I was redlined, maxed out, drooling, panting, sweating and then we hit the next big climb and the pack splintered. I fell back to mid pack along with two other guys and the leaders started to gain distance. I had blown up and was forced to slow up and recover. It took nearly the rest of the lap before I felt myself again and was able to put the power to the dirt.

I traded places with a few guys and chased and was chased. My focus was on and the only thing on my mind was the job at hand. It felt really good to be back racing again.

Finally I crossed the line in 6th place only seconds off of the podium. This is the result I expected so I was not disappointed considering my limited training up to this point.

I headed home to rest up for the next days short track and super D races.

The morning of the short track was very windy. The course was a 1 mile loop with dirt road, and a short steep singletrack climb and double track downhill. The race was 20 minutes plus one lap, and there were only about 9 guys there.

Immediately our group of 3 was off to a good lead and we traded the lead for the next few laps.

Coming around for the 3rd to last lap I was leading and moved over to let the next guy take over...but noone did, there was an argument about who's turn it was and then for some reason I decided to take over again....big mistake

Now two laps to go I move over once again, tired from pulling two laps, and the bastards attacked....I should have know.

I chased hard now putting in full effort for 3 full laps and just as I predicted they attacked again just as I caught up and we began the last lap. I chased again except this time nothing happened, my legs did not respond and I watched helplessly as another rider passed and I got 4th to 3 teenagers....sheeeit....big disappointment. Off the podium again by one place.

Immediately after the race was the super D which consisted of two 5 minute time trials and one 2 minute time trial all going downhill.

The course was so fun and included the best downhills from the xc race the day before. I just had fun with it and did my best without crashing and finally scored a 3rd place and got on the podium. Not a bad first weekend of racing.

Tomorrow morning I am racing at the McDowell Senoran Challenge which is essentially just an annual charity event for fun and training. I rode the course today and was dismayed to discover it is a 20 mile loop on a motocross trail. 20 hellish miles of sandy whoops...this is gonna hurt.

Arizona

The new year has brought with it some major changes. Gary Fisher has been absorbed by Trek essentially making Trek bikes the undisputed leaders in technology, performance, value and variety of choice under one brand.
My new home town is Maricopa, Arizona which is like being on another planet coming from Ohio. The riding is so much different here, I am not sure what to expect come race day.

After many years of racing occasionally some lessons need to be relearned. A very hectic 2010 reminded me just how important preparedness is. I was unable to finish so many races because of preventable mistakes. Eventually my lack of preparation caused me a bad crash and some broken bones. Another lesson is that occasionally life has to take precedence over racing. Sometimes there just is not enough time to fulfill my obligations AND train while maintaining my carbon superbike.

In 2011 I vow to be prepared, to finish every race, to carry at least one tube and a mini tool at every event. I vow to clean my bike and keep my tires freshly slimed.

There...it's in writing now.

My first race of the year is in one week. Also my first race in the desert! MBAA Race#1
McDowell Meltdown~! I will be competing in the 28 mile xc race as well as short track and super D events.

Today I tuned up the bike with a fork rebuild, headset bearings, new shock, grips, cables and housing, chain, cassette, crankset and bottombracket, new pedals and cleats, two new tires and new brake pads. That is prepared in my book!