Bedford MTX#1 Race report..

What does one do when faced with new challenges? Yup that's right, step up! There's nothing to gain if you don't try, right? I love setting goals, but even more I love achieving them! I strive to better myself whether it be at work or home. I've worked hard at the gym to tone up and gain some strength. This has come with some amount of pain and agony, but hey it's not killed me yet! I really do need a report card on this...I think I'll ask tomorrow. I can tell I've gained strength, but some things are more obvious to me in numbers. I've always been an analytical person - I think, I analyze and try to figure out solutions. Numbers are great for me because they mean something. I waited to do my race report because yes I wanted to see a number. Pathetic huh? Sorry I'm TYPE A to the core!

I had no illusions, delusions, dreams, prophecies or whatever that I would win or even be the best Chicky in this race. These races have a cool format - everyone races everyone regardless of age, sex, experience, skills or talents. That meant I'd be racing boyz as well as some chickys. Really the only thing I knew about this format is that it would be like a cyclocross race with a mountainbike twist and a handicapping system. I have seen videos (Youtube rocks!) of cyclocross races. I've read of Wes, Brian (BG), Warren, Dave T. and a few other folks' adventures in cyclocross. That looks and sounds dreadfully difficult, so what in the world entered my mind when I decided to enter this series, I'm not sure. Maybe it's the numerous head injuries I've suffered over the years, maybe it's an outlet for all of the frustrations of work lately, maybe I've gotten caught up in all the psych you up signs at the gym, or maybe I just love riding a bike and it would be a great excuse to see my many friends and enjoy riding! YES, I think the last two pretty much sum it up.

So as you know if you follow my blog, my geared bike has been broken for a while, so that left me with my other mountain bike. It's a 26-inch 2007 Jamis Exile Single Speed. I'm not positive, but I think it acutally outweighs my geared bike by two pounds or so; but that really makes no difference to me. It is geared with a 33t crankset and 16t cog in the back. I know nothing about how that compares in the SS world. I really never had any intention of ever racing this bike, but it seemed like a good idea when I initially thought about racing MTX. I wouldn't have to worry about changing gears and it would be a bit easier to pick up and carry given it's frame design, etc. My biggest concern is lack of seat time on this bike. I've ridden it some and most recently have done some urban mountain biking. I have a terrible time climbing on this bike especially if I have no momentum at the base of the climb. Otherwise I don't mind the bike one bit. Ok, ok so hurry up get to the story right? Sorry, I'm chatty tonight.

Alrighty - here goes. I got to Falling Creek Park, wandered over to register. Then back to the car where I switched clothing, unloaded the bike and headed to preride the course. I soon ran into Cliff, Colton and Allen. They were laughing and warned of the slippery slopes ahead. All three had mud on their clothing, and the bikes were caked up nicely. I don't know what I was thinking - I hadn't entertained the thought that it would be muddy. Let me rephrase that. Not just your average, "oh I got my shoes muddy", I'm talking 2-3 inch deep mud, slick, swampy, sloppy, icky, fun mud! YAY! There were several areas where the course was just about impossible. The run up was ok, as there was enough weeds and rocks to get a grip. There was one section where normally you could ride on up, but this was like riding up your kid's sliding board. The barriers weren't a big deal, I've got the mile long legs so ha! The little bridge was frightening to me with my caked up tires. I just don't like wet bridges much less with zero traction.

Anyway, I had 46 minutes to race and I started with three men. I figured they would all get up the hill to the single track faster than me, so imagine my surprise when I hit the singletrack first. Well, it only last a short time. I think I leaned left thinking I needed to stay up hill and away from the right hand edge of the trail, and when I did wheels slid out from under me. As I landed, handlebar first, I laughed hysterically then dragged my bike up out of the way so the three guys who by now had caught me could get by. Soon we would arrive at the Eel Snot Slick Hill. I watched as the three guys tried in vain to get up the hill. Finally another guy and me took an alternate path up the hill (the last two laps we just skipped it all together and made an alternate trail). Let's see. On the rolling terrain and most of the single track I did good on. I was able to stand up and pedal through challenging areas. I rode through most of the worst mud without troubles. I used the edge of the trail where there was still dead grass and weeds occassionally. I was happy that I was able to cross the log hops without any hesitation. The first lap through I was zooming down the hill, mud was flying off of the tires. I could feel it hitting my face and teeth. I heard it pinging off of my helmet. After the downhill there was another set of barriers. No biggie. Then came the wheelsucking, wet, swampy grass. I could get absolutely zero momentum down here. Of course this preceded the last climb. Forget it, I couldn't get started; so I just got off and walked/jogged up it.

Lap two was more of the same. Skipped the Eel Snot Hill, crossed the barriers, walked the bridge hopped back on and pedalled hard. I know I passed a few people back and forth some. I was having a ball. It was crazy to ride on that slick surface. You could be going along in a straight, flat section and suddenly you would start sliding. I found myself rounding off turns. Occassionally I would pedal through mud so hard that the back tire would just spin. I arrived at the finish line in time to get to ride a third lap. YAY! I had a goal of riding three laps, so off I went. After the run up, my shoes and pedals were so gunked up that I had to stop and find a stick to pry the mud out of both. I remember on occassion trying to rid the tires of mud. One guy got his frame and rear tire so caked up that it wouldn't turn! By the time I got back around to the last hill, I decided I wanted to try to ride part of it. Who finishes a bike race walking right? Well I tried and rode a bit. Got off, walked up some more. Got back on. UH OH... Too much mud. I could only get the front part of my cleat engaged. I couldn't stomp the back of it in, so all I could do is push down, there was no pulling up on the pedals. I got all messed up in this mud moat, so I got off again to get through that then pedalled to the finish line. This time, my left shoe wouldn't even go into the pedal. So I finished with my left foot completely unclipped and my right foot 1/2 clipped in. HA HA HA HA.

I really had a great time at this race. Probably more fun than I've had racing in a long time. The comraderie among the racers was great. The course was fun despite the conditions. Of course the race was put on by Kenny Palmer. I can't say enough good things about him. He did a great job! The course was laid out and marked great. I'm guessing that the next course is going to be more difficult, so I'll have to get out and ride between now and then.

So where did I finish? 18th out of 30. Not too shabby for me! And to think I did it on a single speed. Don't worry I am not making a habit of racing that bike. I will ride the other two MTX races on February 15th and March 1st with the single speed.

Let's see quickly, how did my pals fair? Warren 1st, Paula 2nd to her hubby by 14 seconds, Allen 6th, Colton (15yrs old!) 8th <-- they all completed 4 laps. Cliff 9th, Davy 10th, Adam 12th, Ricky 14th, Todd 16th, Laura (Michigan) 19th and Jack 24th. What fun. I hope everyone continues to support this series! I can't wait to try again!