Well.. I will start by saying I knew I should have stayed home. I didn't know a single person who was backing out of going to the race in my circle of friends. So, I wasn't either. I kept hearing that the course drains well but the area did get about half a foot of rain this week. Hmmm.
Got to the race good and early and everyone who was already there pretty much all said the same thing. It was a piece of shit. I raced here last year and it was awesome. The trail was ripping fast and fun as hell. This year would not be the same.
I lined up(reluctantly) for the expert race knowing it was going to be ugly. When it started it was clear right from the get go just how bad it was. It was icy slick in spots, deep mud in others, deep water wholes, and very dangerous wet rocks and roots to deal with. I felt very uncomfortable on the trail. I was using tires I have never used before and was not sure if they were working or if I was just riding tight. Probably both. I almost fell I don't know how many times.
I started getting frustrated, then Scott Oglvie "ran" past me. Yeah, I was having a hard time in some spots. I held his pace for the rest of the lap until I exited the woods to start my second lap. Fuck that. I quit. That's shit was terrible. You can call me a bitch... that stuff just isn't fun to me on a MTB. Cross is a different story though. Some guys like racing in the mud. Just not sure why I guess. Its bad for the trails(Rhett's Run needs a lot of work now) and it ruins bike parts.
So, 4 1/2 hours of driving for 30 minutes of riding. Bummer. It wasn't really riding... it was survival on a bike for 5 miles. Maybe my head wasn't in it...I don't know.... I was over it real quick. I suck.
Before exiting... I have to say that Drew Black's ride Sunday was pretty awesome to watch from the sidelines. That fact that he held the gap from Breslin, Musselman, and Elwell for the last 2 laps with out loosing time was pretty incredible. Nice work Brah!
Hope my post hasn't depressed you to bad. I have a case of the Monday's.
Holla atcha boy....
Dirty Kanza Plan
6 hours ago
6 comments:
guess im not considered your friend cause i didnt go....just kidding. Not having a super high end drive train my shit would have been locked up like the BTK killer, you are braver then me
Middlefork was in awesome shape. Sydney shredded the shit out of it in the rain for 2 days.
Just keep focused on this coming Sunday :)
Hellbender was a good time!
My condolences on the DNF.
My analysis? You don't ride well in the mud because you're being too careful and riding too much brake. Positioning your body and shifting weight is way huger in the mud than it is in dry, perfect conditions. The most important thing is to keep your center of gravity low and put the most possible weight on your tires in the slickest, most dangerous parts of a muddy course.
Keeping your head up is the most important thing you can do on a mountain bike. It gives you the confidence you need to ride a slick and unpredictable course at the fastest possible pace.
You suck...I saw that picture of your bike, how much more of the trail could you bring back to Alton with you? Not much!
Seriously, good call on bailing...that looked seriously wrong. That trail is too fun to destroy like that. You're the real winner!!! yuk, yuk...
That race should have been canceled(heard several people say this at the race). The promoter guys couldnt get enough of it... They thought it was great.
Post a Comment