Fat 5 Enduro

As much as lap three made me question my sanity and judgement, I can say that I absolutely love the Enduro concept.  Why you ask?  Well, instead of feeling like I need to ride so hard to outrace other people, this type of race allowed me to ride at my pace and do what I wanted to do.  I had no intention of trying to be competitive, nor did I really care how I would place.  My goal was to go and ride three laps, four if the pieces all fell together.  I haven't been riding that much at all as you know because school has taken up quite a bit of time.  That's ok too because in the long run success in the MHA program will hopefully lead to more money and more time to ride.  

Besides all that, who really cares if you win?  You really have to look at why you're doing something.  Are you racing for others or are you racing for yourself?  I race for myself.  I have no one to answer to but me, so as long as I'm happy with what I do then that's all that matters.  All the other stuff is just fluff.  I also know that being on a team means I need to represent myself and my team's sponsors well.  So going into the Enduro, I made up my mind to just have fun, do the best I could and be nice.  

Falling Creek Park is a beautiful park, but it offers up some challenging terrain.  There are fun, fast parts then there are parts that absolutely kill me.  I love it there though.  I think the "trail-boss" makes it more enjoyable too. I can't say enough positive things about Kenny Palmer.  I've praised him on my blog before and I will continue to do so because he's just that awesome.  He's built a great place to ride, puts on fun races and has a great rapport with others so that turns out great volunteers!  

I have no intention of writing this blog as a turn-by-turn report. If you want to experience the trails, go there!  It's worth your time, I promise.  I want to just point out a few things.  Overall, the course was great.  It was about 8 miles of single-track, open field and a tad bit of gravel road.  Like I said there are sections that I don't like, but that's mainly because I lack the cardio right now to climb them or I wasn't sure how to approach the particular obstacle.  I was proud of myself and my 29er (we're still getting acquainted).  I learned how to ride across a skinny, little bridge; I got better at switchbacks (downhill, rights still have me baffled) and I got really good at uphill switchbacks.  I grew very weary of the ridge loop, but giggled my ass off at the Fat Albert music on my three laps.  HEY HEY HEY, It's Fat Albert!  Yes there's a trail called Fat Albert.  I refer you to Kenny's literal naming of trails.  And I finally can say that I've ridden up the Deer Trail.  I think honestly this is the first time I've ever ridden up it 3 times and that it's been dry.  We had to endure this trail in each of the MTX races and each time it was slick, snowy or mud covered.  SO HAH, finally the Deer Trail has been conquered!


Next I want to salute the volunteers who came out to ensure our safety, hydration and to keep score for us.  I'm sure that as hot as our day was, there's was even more so.  I know what it's like to volunteer at events, so I know what it's like to have someone say THANK YOU!  And since, I was so slow and unconcerned with time, I made sure to try to speak to the volunteers who were on the course.  They deserve a lot of praise for spending hours in a field, under a tree or with a table of water and gatorade.  Be sure at your next event to say THANKS!  They really do hear you and your gratitude doesn't go unnoticed.  


And KENNY - THANKS MAN!!!  I loved it, and I can't wait to do it again.  How about a fall version???  Again, I will publicly state, if you have a bike race in Bedford County, I will be there.  Even if I have to crawl across the finish line, or race out of class, I will do what I can to support you!  You are absolutely the coolest race promoter around.  =)

I walked away from the Enduro, smiling and happy that I achieved my goal of three laps - I probably could have done 4 had it not been so hot.  I really want to try this type of event again, so now I must focus on building my cardio once the oppressive heat dies down some.  Again, the goal will be to just do the best I can and have fun.  I won because I went out and did something I would have never before attempted!  YAY ME!


Photo credit to Doug Falls...  =)  Thanks man!