State Mtb Race

The location was Castlewood State Park.  The class was marathon. State Champion jerseys were on the line. The finish, unknown.  I do know that I finished somewhere near the back of the pack.  I was lapped by at least five riders.  It was nice to think the timing chip thing would go off without a hitch, but that is technology for you. 

Arriving at CW around 8:30 I got out of the car to feel that the heat was already settling in for the day.  I was already sweating just pulling the bike off the roof rack. Quickly, Brian Busken and I sat up the team canopy and registered.  We decided to do a warm up by riding up Love trail to get loose and shake down the bike.  Stitz came along and everyone worked out the kinks.  Everthing seemed to be in working order.  All lathered up, I decieded to settle under the canopy and concentrate on staying cool.  Busken took a trip up Lone Wolf to give his bike the final shakedown on the steep ascent to River Scene Trail.

Satisfied with my preride I took my place on the starting line at the bottom of Lone Wolf.  The official gave the countdown and off we went.  Well, sort of.  Off everyone else went while my gears mashed away in the moist morning air.  Gears 2x6/7/8 all of a sudden created chain suck and then a switch to 9 put my chain in the spokes.  Time to dismount and yank the chain out of the spokes.  During all this the beginner race had started and I had to get out of the way so they could make their way up Lone Wolf.  I put the bike in 2x5 and stood pretty  much the rest of the climb, passing the beginners, taking a rough line to get around them.  I had to ride the first lap under the same conditions, standing on any slight incline.  I was not prepared to push so hard so early and found my heart rate pounding near 180 for most the lap, way up in the red zone.

Pitting on my second time through the start/finish area I grabbed a Dos Equis and tried to cool down.  I thought about quitting, but changed my mind and just decided to have fun and finish the race.  I was so far back I knew I had no chance to be competitive.  Caleb adjusted my high/lows and half a XX later I was back on the trail, riding for pride and fun.

It was a hard day on the bike. The heat was near unbearable but I made the most of the last couple of laps, even cracking a smile or two here and there.  I cheered some riders on and chatted with others.  This was my second race of the year, not counting the non-race.  I guess I am satisified with the results, finishing that is.  I came close to blowing up the first lap while trying to catch the marathon field and think without the mechanical I would have had a more respectable ride.  Legs felt okay, but the heat nearly brought my head to a boil.  I usually don't mind the heat but that was something else.  I think I even overheard someone say they saw the devil looking for a glass of water out there.  This week is Lost Valley and the forecast is more heat.  I guess I better suck it up and get used to it.