What started out cold, snowy and very muddy ended on an absolutely gorgeous, unseasonably warm afternoon! I must say I'm sad to see the MTX Series end for 2010. I thoroughly enjoy this format and I enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Too often I think people take racing too seriously, I mean really what fun is it when another racer plows you over and wrecks you in a race? Besides that how often can I say that I beat anyone? Rarely!
So that brings me to race #3. I've had a brand, spanking new Gunnar Rockhound 29er sitting at the foot of my bed for weeks. I was impatiently waiting for the trails to dry and had only ridden the bike like 3 miles on neighborhood streets. The wait was over, I couldn't resist the temptation any longer, so Falling Creek Park trails would be the first trails Punkin' would ever see. I think there's a bond forming here. =) I decided to take both bikes to Bedford to see which one I wanted to race on. If I was comfortable with Punkin' I'd try it. If not, Ritchey was ready, willing and able. I got to FCP, decided what clothes would be appropriate, quickly changed then headed out towards last week's course. I wove my way through then crossed over to Turkey Hill and found markings of this week's course, so I continued that path. Punkin' was carving through turns nicely. Rolling right along was awesome! Then came the bottom of the hill where a wet, muddy, tire sucking trail awaited. UGH, now not only was my new bike, yucked up with mud; but I realized one thing that was going to hold me back. This flat section was agony by the end of the day. As I finished up the lap, I decided that since I felt good, I'd ride another.
Since I skipped the first bit of the race course the first time around, I stuck to it this time and found a section of switchbacks. I thought "wow, I'm screwed." I don't particularly care for switchbacks and I'm not so good at them especially right handed ones. Well I rode through them all cleanly the first time. I was shocked. The next thing that tripped me up was this short little uphll with a tree root in the middle of it. I couldn't ride it - not nearly enough momentum. (I walked this bit every time after). Oh well.
So after completing the 2nd lap, I got back to the parking lot to find a few other riders arriving. I was swapping out clothing accessories and having a snack while chatting with them. Eventually my teammates showed up and after chatting a bit decided to head out for a lap. Some how I ended up leading this lap and hence completed a third lap. Well of course, a feature of any Kenny Palmer race is a grassy section. You climb hills, you go down hills, across fields - some how he always works in a grassy area. This time we would have to climb from the creekside up to the picnic shelter where we got on the paved sidewalk then on to the top of the hill.
The race went pretty well. I felt like I did pretty good on the first three laps. I was having a blast on the turns and downhills. The flat, muddy trail and the grassy area were nearly torture. Climbing the hill got harder and harder. My quads and calves were on fire. My other issue was being caused by a combination of improper seat position and my now not so favorite team shorts. By lap 4, I could barely sit down on the bumpy sections of grass. The back of both of my legs took a beating. OWWWWWWW.
I really wanted to keep my position in the standings so as disappointed as I was to have to face a 5th lap, I knew that it would help my chances of staying 9th overall. So I kept going as best as I could albeit very slowly. My legs were dying; I was getting tired. By the time I got to muddy, creekside trail I was passed by both chicky teammates. This would put Paula on her 6th lap! I went to the easiest gear I could find and slowly ascended the hill (this being my 8th time up the damn thing).
I successfully finished the MTX in 9th overall on my own lap! It is fun to look at the standings and see some of the people I beat. If it were not for the handicapping scoring, I'd never stand a chance of beating these people; but it does a good bit for my confidence though. I love this series, and as long as Kenny's hosting them, I plan on being there. That goes for all of his biking events. He's just a good guy who I want to support. I do appreciate the volunteers who came and helped him with scoring as well. And I'd like to adopt Kenny's wife as my personal cheerleader. I think she was encouraging me on every lap. That really meant alot to me! THANK YOU!!! =)
Race Results: Me 17/30. Teammates: Paula 1st, Warren 9th, Adam 10th, Laura 11th, Todd 16th.
Overall Results: Paula won the series. I finished 9th, like 2 laps behind her! HA!!!
Overall fun factor: off the charts!!!!
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