Cold, Windy, Full Moon

Bedford County Mountaincross Series Race #2

Toss in a 6pm start time, lights on helmets and one Jen...sounds like a recipe for a disaster.  Not so fast my friends!  It was probably 35°F while we raced Saturday plus wind.  BRRRRR!  Race #2 was a night race, lights required.  I brought out the NightFlux Photon Extreme that I won as a door prize from last year's Burn 24.  I need all the light I can get while riding outside, and this light is BRIGHT.

As it turns out, I was stupid and started at the wrong time last week.  I shouldn't have started with Paula, but probably 2 minutes later.  None the less, KP just adjusted my time accordingly.  In order to keep things consistant; I started with her again.  Well someone must have been shooting at her because Paula took off like a scalded dog.  I was left pedaling in her wake.  HA HA, it's all good - she's just that good.  I did manage to see her a few more times on our first lap, but after that I wouldn't see her again until after the race.  She turned out to be the winner this week!!!  CHICKYS ROCK!!!

The weather and resulting snow melt has played havoc with course layouts for this series.  This week's course turned out to be pretty good for me.  It was definitely not as technical as it could have been.  We started off in front of the old Bedford nursing home.  Took the road to the right hand turn.  Down a bit then a left up another road to the singletrack (Beaverdam?).  Along this section with surprisingly good traction and a few low trees - there was very little mud and only a bit of snow.  After this section of single track, it was back to the road again where we rode to the end and took a fast jaunt downhill through a field to the creek crossing from last week.  After crossing the creek it was like being sucked into quicksand as there waiting for us was soft, slimey, slick mud.  This took us to the bottom of the hill where soon we would be on fairly frozen, grass to climb up a long hill.  Soon we were back near the finish line where we had to dismount, cross two barriers then walk/run through the finish line.  REPEAT.

Seems simple enough right?  It really wasn't that bad.  I made up my mind that I didn't want to walk.  All those gears on a bike, why do you need to walk?  I did pretty good on my first two laps then I started being stupid.  Instead of riding around the snow at the bottom of the hill as I had down previously, I tried riding through it.  Bad idea, not enough momentum and I ended up in some softer stuff which killed the little momentum that I did have.  I pushed the bike forward out of the snow and tried to remount the bike.  Well I managed to hang my shorts up on the front of the seat.  DAMN!  So I had to fix my clothing malfunction before continuing on.  HA HA!  I decided that granny gear would be my best bet on the hill and it was a good idea.  I could hear the voice of Paula in my head, "just spin up it..." and so I did.

Three times around, someone asked how many laps I had done.  I replied, "3 I think," how am I supposed to remember that along with remembering to breathe and pedal?  =)  Anyway, I arrived at the rocky section of the trail on one of the laps and nearly wiped out in front of one of the fast dudes.  I think he thought I just veered out of his way - ok sure, that's what I did.  Well for some reason this goofed me up on this section every lap after.  I kept staring at the stupid rocks and had a terrible time riding this section.  Fortunately the road section was after this so I could regain my momentum and enthusiasm.  One of the laps I wiggled my pack around enough so I could turn my light up some.  I thought maybe I needed more light.  It didn't really help, but it certainly didn't hurt either.  I did find it rather amusing that I kept catching and passing this one guy on the road only for him to blow back by me at or near the creek or on the hill.  Then he would walk the hill, I'd pedal by him and he would blow back by me at the top.  Sheesh, doesn't consistant effort ever pay off?  I can't yo-yo my effort like that. I just have to keep going. 

I remember getting passed by several faster people - Cliff, Warren, Adam, Dave plus several more whose names I can't remember.  I did pass the beginner chicky twice.  Once early on on the hill and second on the single track - I tried to encourage her a long the 2nd time.  I think I might have even passed a slower person or two on the hill; but I can't honestly remember.

I had an absolute blast again!  Who knew riding a bike in the dark and cold could be so much fun!  I still look forward to warmer, drier conditions.  I still hope that with school that I have time to continue enjoying riding and racing!!!  One more MTX race next Sunday the 7th then maybe a regular race in NC on the 21st.  We'll see.

Meanwhile as for results: Paula won, my friend Cliff from Lynchburg was 3rd, Warren 4th, Adam 8th, Me 9th, and Todd 16th.  My poor friend Laura was attacked by the evil GI bug who knocked her out early on.  Kudos to her for even showing up and trying!  Sounds like RoanokeOutside.com has a good team this year.  The handicapping system is skewing the results and making me look good as I'm 9th overall after two races on a lap of my own.  The leaders have completed 12 laps, I have done 11 and the people behind me are on lap 10.