We are now official members of the LCR team!
Thanks everyone for allowing us to join your "cult" we will not let you down!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
MNSCS #5 Red Wing Memorial Classic
Yeah Me!! I finally did it after 4 years of racing I got my first overall win! And I worked for it!
What a fun race! I generally in the past have not appreciated the Red Wing course, but Sunday's race was different. We woke up and it was still hot and muggy as usual in Red Wing, but as the sun came up and burned away the fog the humidity lifted slightly and made the day much more bearable.
We decided to spend the night at a nearby campground with the Hendricks and Ray, so we arrived on Saturday afternoon and set-up camp and then headed to the trail for a pre-ride. We all started together and then shortly after Scot and Jordan headed on the citizen loop and then Matt, Ray and Kevin went ahead and Micole and I rode the lap together, chatting and just getting to know the trail. We finished up and I wanted to go for another lap at a quicker pace, but the lightening and thunder had started and we could hear sirens in the background. So we packed up and left for the campground.
In the morning we woke up at 5:30am to get breakfast and get out of there to get Devon and Taylor to the course by 8:15am, they did not get a chance to pre-ride but they were both confident that they wanted to race this course. They both did great. Taylor finished just in front of Devon and again they both had smiles on when they finished. Neither one had a competitor in their age bracket, but they finished 9 and 10 respectfully out of 12.
Jordan's race went great, she looked awesome as she flew past the start/finish line. She said the race went well and she had fun. She finished 1st for the all the ladies out of 6 and 41st out of 63 for the all the citizen riders.
Early in the day I wasn't so sure how the day was going to do, I had eaten some things that I would normally not eat and drank some cappuccino and that I would not usually do on a race morning and my stomach was yelling at me. I managed to force myself to eat a bagel with peanut butter at about 9:30am which was probably a very good thing for me to do. As I was waiting for Jordan to take off I was being heckled by Janet Atkinson, she was trying to psych me out, but nothing was getting through the cappuccino. Shortly after Jordan took off I got changed into my brand new MORC ladies jersey, which I absolutely love, and I went to warm up. My warm up consisted of 1 lap around the top of the bluff to get my legs going and then I went down the road all the way to the main street and then back up, I was totally surprised when I got to the top in short order. I then proceeded to do 3 more laps around the top of the bluff at 160 HR (my high during a race is low 170's), then I did 2 more laps at a recovery HR. My warm up was about 25 minutes and was absolutely perfect I finished up at about 10:35 am and then went back to sit for a few minutes and make sure I was totally ready for the race. I told Matt which bottles I needed when and I headed for the start/finish line.
At the start line Janet was heckling again but I was already in race mode. I glanced around at the riders at the line and then we were off. I rode past most of the riders right off the bat and had only 2 ladies in front of me; Lori Belz and Becki Alexander. I know both these riders are great so I was going to need to ride strong to hang with them. Becki was in 1st and I was sticking right with Lori. When the trail finally opened up to the 1st long double track section I kicked into a high gear and passed Lori. At this point I had know idea where Becki was, but I knew I wanted to catch her if I could. I rode as fast as I could and passed a lot of guys at this point and then I eyed Becki, I continued to push as hard as I could and I caught up to and passed Becki. At this point I knew I had to stay strong and make sure not to push so hard that I ran out of steam before the end of the race. The rest of the race I concentrated on passing as many guys as I could and riding smooth. By the top of the Stairway to Heaven hill on the 2nd lap I glanced back and I saw no one. So I hopped back on my bike and I knew the only way I could lose at this point was to crash and get hurt or to have a mechanical. I rode the rest of the lap smooth and on my way out of the rock quarry right before the last climb I saw Lori coming through the quarry. I continued to push hard and finished 56 seconds ahead of Lori for the overall women's win. I finished 57 out of 113 sport riders. That was so fun! I conserved when I needed to and I pushed hard when I needed to. I drank enough and I took my gels. All my trials and errors from past races help this race come together for a great finish.
Matt did a great job! He rode his hardtail for the 1st time this year, he has never been able to get comfortable on his supercaliber, and finished 21st out of 33 racers. He came back happy and looked strong throughout the whole race. It is so important to ride a bike you are comfortable with.
Wyatt raced in the kids race and came across the line 2nd he was so happy. He did great I always love watching him stand up and pedal. He is so smooth and he his going to kick it someday out on all the courses.
I'll post pictures soon from the race.
What a fun race! I generally in the past have not appreciated the Red Wing course, but Sunday's race was different. We woke up and it was still hot and muggy as usual in Red Wing, but as the sun came up and burned away the fog the humidity lifted slightly and made the day much more bearable.
We decided to spend the night at a nearby campground with the Hendricks and Ray, so we arrived on Saturday afternoon and set-up camp and then headed to the trail for a pre-ride. We all started together and then shortly after Scot and Jordan headed on the citizen loop and then Matt, Ray and Kevin went ahead and Micole and I rode the lap together, chatting and just getting to know the trail. We finished up and I wanted to go for another lap at a quicker pace, but the lightening and thunder had started and we could hear sirens in the background. So we packed up and left for the campground.
In the morning we woke up at 5:30am to get breakfast and get out of there to get Devon and Taylor to the course by 8:15am, they did not get a chance to pre-ride but they were both confident that they wanted to race this course. They both did great. Taylor finished just in front of Devon and again they both had smiles on when they finished. Neither one had a competitor in their age bracket, but they finished 9 and 10 respectfully out of 12.
Jordan's race went great, she looked awesome as she flew past the start/finish line. She said the race went well and she had fun. She finished 1st for the all the ladies out of 6 and 41st out of 63 for the all the citizen riders.
Early in the day I wasn't so sure how the day was going to do, I had eaten some things that I would normally not eat and drank some cappuccino and that I would not usually do on a race morning and my stomach was yelling at me. I managed to force myself to eat a bagel with peanut butter at about 9:30am which was probably a very good thing for me to do. As I was waiting for Jordan to take off I was being heckled by Janet Atkinson, she was trying to psych me out, but nothing was getting through the cappuccino. Shortly after Jordan took off I got changed into my brand new MORC ladies jersey, which I absolutely love, and I went to warm up. My warm up consisted of 1 lap around the top of the bluff to get my legs going and then I went down the road all the way to the main street and then back up, I was totally surprised when I got to the top in short order. I then proceeded to do 3 more laps around the top of the bluff at 160 HR (my high during a race is low 170's), then I did 2 more laps at a recovery HR. My warm up was about 25 minutes and was absolutely perfect I finished up at about 10:35 am and then went back to sit for a few minutes and make sure I was totally ready for the race. I told Matt which bottles I needed when and I headed for the start/finish line.
At the start line Janet was heckling again but I was already in race mode. I glanced around at the riders at the line and then we were off. I rode past most of the riders right off the bat and had only 2 ladies in front of me; Lori Belz and Becki Alexander. I know both these riders are great so I was going to need to ride strong to hang with them. Becki was in 1st and I was sticking right with Lori. When the trail finally opened up to the 1st long double track section I kicked into a high gear and passed Lori. At this point I had know idea where Becki was, but I knew I wanted to catch her if I could. I rode as fast as I could and passed a lot of guys at this point and then I eyed Becki, I continued to push as hard as I could and I caught up to and passed Becki. At this point I knew I had to stay strong and make sure not to push so hard that I ran out of steam before the end of the race. The rest of the race I concentrated on passing as many guys as I could and riding smooth. By the top of the Stairway to Heaven hill on the 2nd lap I glanced back and I saw no one. So I hopped back on my bike and I knew the only way I could lose at this point was to crash and get hurt or to have a mechanical. I rode the rest of the lap smooth and on my way out of the rock quarry right before the last climb I saw Lori coming through the quarry. I continued to push hard and finished 56 seconds ahead of Lori for the overall women's win. I finished 57 out of 113 sport riders. That was so fun! I conserved when I needed to and I pushed hard when I needed to. I drank enough and I took my gels. All my trials and errors from past races help this race come together for a great finish.
Matt did a great job! He rode his hardtail for the 1st time this year, he has never been able to get comfortable on his supercaliber, and finished 21st out of 33 racers. He came back happy and looked strong throughout the whole race. It is so important to ride a bike you are comfortable with.
Wyatt raced in the kids race and came across the line 2nd he was so happy. He did great I always love watching him stand up and pedal. He is so smooth and he his going to kick it someday out on all the courses.
I'll post pictures soon from the race.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
WORS #5 Chippewa Valley Firecracker
The update is a little late in coming, but here it is. Lets just say that WORS does a very good job of running a top notch event. On site camping, food, entertainment, and one of the nicest courses I have ridden.
We found a nice spot Friday afternoon with the Hendrick's and quickly set up camp (three vans, 13 bikes, two EZ ups and four tents).
Friday afternoon I took Devon, Taylor and Wyatt out for a preride on the citizen youth course. The course was a little too much for Wyatt, but he still did remarkably well. Devon and Taylor handled most of the sections with ease and were typically way ahead. After Wyatt and I got back I went out for a lap to get a feel for the speed and lines on the course.
Later that night Scott, Kevin, Ray and myself strapped on the lights for a little night ride action. The course is much different at night and everything seems to "close in".
Taylor and Devon's Race
Taylor and Devon did great in the Citizen Youth race. They both came back with smiles on their faces and said they had a great time. Taylor finished 3rd out of 5 and Devon finished 9th out of 12. It is so fun to see them out there making their way through the trails with ease.
Jordan's Race
Jordan was absolutely amazing out there, she really showed up those Wisconsin girls. She scooted herself as close to the front as she could at the line (considering most of the WI ladies were called up to the line). Then they were off. Shortly into the first lap she made her way to the front of all the ladies and stayed there ... until part way into the 2nd lap the 2nd place lady was telling Jordan what a good job she was doing and Jordan fell off a bridge. She was so mad, the 2nd place lady passed her and Jordan ended up finishing 2nd overall, 31 seconds back from the leader. The next closest girl in her age bracket finished 8.32 minutes later. Great Job Jordan!
Andrea's Race from her Point
It was another great racing day! We have been so lucky with weather this year for the races!
I started with a warm-up about 45 minutes before my race was going to start. I warmed-up on the road for about 22 minutes. My warm-up started with an endurance heart rate for about 10 minutes and then I varied my heart rate between a 4-5a level for the remaindered of my warm-up, just as I was about to lower my heart rate and start heading back to the camp site it started to down pore. I hurried back to the campsite and helped make sure everything was safe from getting wet. I made sure I was ready for my race I told Matt which water bottles I wanted when and I headed for the line.
We sat at the line for quite awhile. WORS puts on a good show and they have a lot of race categories with callups for each category so it takes awhile to get to the ladies who ride out last. Finally when it was our turn I didn't have the best starting position because of all of the callups, but I knew the lead out section was long enough. I started out towards the back of the pack and got myself around the two sketchy corners before the fence. Then I shifted to a high gear and started passing people. We had one more left corner to take and then there was a long straight section before a right turn down a short hill. So after the left turn I shifted into my highest gear and just went, I ended up passing everyone and just kept going. I went down the hill and around another corner I glanced back and there was no one close to me so I just kept going. I knew there was a steep rocky downhill that led into a rocky left turn section coming up and I knew I could make it if no one else was around (the last 2 times I've raced this course this section gets all jammed up with riders walking these sections). So I got to that section with no one around and I cleared it cleanly and just kept riding. After my 1st lap Matt tells me I had a 1 minute gap on the next closest rider. Part way into my 2nd lap I caught up to a guy who was riding slower than me, but I didn't have time to pass him before some downhill switchbacks. So I just stayed behind him and gave him a little distance just in case he biffed it. He made the switchbacks fine and then he made a steep rocky section just fine, but then that led to a bridge. I don't know what he was doing but he got way off to the left edge of the bridge and then fell off, but his bike stayed on the bridge and with no way to get around him I tried to stop, but I was too close to the right edge and I fell off the bridge. I hopped back on my bike as quick as I could and passed the guy and tried to just go again. However, on a short uphill I didn't quite make I was passed by the next closest women (Kelly Skillicorn - if you remember from a previous post she was this years winner of the Birkebeiner.) I stayed with her and then on a straight section I passed her again, although that led to a short uphill that she managed better than I and she passed me back. The rest of the second lap I stayed right with her until almost the end. When yet again a short uphill and some "friendly" advice from some spectators distracted me and I shifted wrong and lost my chain. It was too close to the end to catch back up I did the best I could and I finished 39 seconds back. It was another excellent race and it was really fun running that long at the front, although somewhat hard to gage on how fast/hard I should push it. I'm getting stronger and my training is back on track, finally after the move and all the projects... Next race is MNSCS #5 Red Wing.
Matt's Race
Earlier in the week I had made the decision to race in the SS Comp class to give myself a chance to compete closer to the front of the pack. Since this race is not affiliated with the MNSCS series it wouldn't matter in the standings, so why not.
It was a different feeling pulling up to the start being behind the expert class and at the back of the comp class. The sent off the 39+ and SS as the last wave. After all the other waves were off it was our turn to go and I pinned it as fast as I could down the long lead out section. During the lead out I was completely spun out and feel toward the back of the pack, I think all the gearies were gone by that point. Once into the single track I held a very good pace. The bike handled the flowing single track with ease and I was really comfortable on the trail. I was catching up to many of the riders that blew by me on the start.
I witnessed one of the craziest crashes part way through lap one. I was following in a small group of 4 riders just after crossing the bridge for the second time. All of a sudden the rider in front of me went strait down, head first, into the ground. I had just enough room to pass by on the left and nobody was caught in the crash. The rider who crashed yelled out, "what happened", and the person behind him casually said, "your fork broke". Andrea later saw him carrying his bike out of the woods, his carbon fork snapped just above the dropouts on both sides. I hope everyone is OK.
Near the end of lap one I was caught by one of the single speeders who obviously had a bad start. He dogged me for a while and he offered to lead. I allowed him to pass and we worked together to keep up a really good pace. We rode that way on lap 2 until going through the start/finish line to begin lap 3. For some reason It was becoming difficult to pedal the crank and it was starting to seize up. I thought that it might just be some dirt in the bottom bracket so I tried to continue peddling to work it free. By the entrance to the single track it would not turn over. I got off the bike and it took me a minute to determine that the SS lock ring had backed off and was now cross threaded causing it to rub on the inside of the frame. I quickly pulled the wheel off but without tools I could not remove the lock ring. Thinking my day was done, I carried the bike back to camp. Never wanting to DNF, however, I grabbed a pliers and was able to get the lock ring off and re threaded correctly. At this point the goal was to go all out and see how much time I could make up by the end of the race.
On lap three I pushed really hard and managed to finish 17th out of 23. I figured I lost about 10 minutes due to the mechanical and that would have put me in about 5th place. A good race overall despite the mechanical and the legs felt good.
Next race Red Wing
We found a nice spot Friday afternoon with the Hendrick's and quickly set up camp (three vans, 13 bikes, two EZ ups and four tents).
Friday afternoon I took Devon, Taylor and Wyatt out for a preride on the citizen youth course. The course was a little too much for Wyatt, but he still did remarkably well. Devon and Taylor handled most of the sections with ease and were typically way ahead. After Wyatt and I got back I went out for a lap to get a feel for the speed and lines on the course.
Later that night Scott, Kevin, Ray and myself strapped on the lights for a little night ride action. The course is much different at night and everything seems to "close in".
Taylor and Devon's Race
Taylor and Devon did great in the Citizen Youth race. They both came back with smiles on their faces and said they had a great time. Taylor finished 3rd out of 5 and Devon finished 9th out of 12. It is so fun to see them out there making their way through the trails with ease.
Jordan's Race
Jordan was absolutely amazing out there, she really showed up those Wisconsin girls. She scooted herself as close to the front as she could at the line (considering most of the WI ladies were called up to the line). Then they were off. Shortly into the first lap she made her way to the front of all the ladies and stayed there ... until part way into the 2nd lap the 2nd place lady was telling Jordan what a good job she was doing and Jordan fell off a bridge. She was so mad, the 2nd place lady passed her and Jordan ended up finishing 2nd overall, 31 seconds back from the leader. The next closest girl in her age bracket finished 8.32 minutes later. Great Job Jordan!
Andrea's Race from her Point
It was another great racing day! We have been so lucky with weather this year for the races!
I started with a warm-up about 45 minutes before my race was going to start. I warmed-up on the road for about 22 minutes. My warm-up started with an endurance heart rate for about 10 minutes and then I varied my heart rate between a 4-5a level for the remaindered of my warm-up, just as I was about to lower my heart rate and start heading back to the camp site it started to down pore. I hurried back to the campsite and helped make sure everything was safe from getting wet. I made sure I was ready for my race I told Matt which water bottles I wanted when and I headed for the line.
We sat at the line for quite awhile. WORS puts on a good show and they have a lot of race categories with callups for each category so it takes awhile to get to the ladies who ride out last. Finally when it was our turn I didn't have the best starting position because of all of the callups, but I knew the lead out section was long enough. I started out towards the back of the pack and got myself around the two sketchy corners before the fence. Then I shifted to a high gear and started passing people. We had one more left corner to take and then there was a long straight section before a right turn down a short hill. So after the left turn I shifted into my highest gear and just went, I ended up passing everyone and just kept going. I went down the hill and around another corner I glanced back and there was no one close to me so I just kept going. I knew there was a steep rocky downhill that led into a rocky left turn section coming up and I knew I could make it if no one else was around (the last 2 times I've raced this course this section gets all jammed up with riders walking these sections). So I got to that section with no one around and I cleared it cleanly and just kept riding. After my 1st lap Matt tells me I had a 1 minute gap on the next closest rider. Part way into my 2nd lap I caught up to a guy who was riding slower than me, but I didn't have time to pass him before some downhill switchbacks. So I just stayed behind him and gave him a little distance just in case he biffed it. He made the switchbacks fine and then he made a steep rocky section just fine, but then that led to a bridge. I don't know what he was doing but he got way off to the left edge of the bridge and then fell off, but his bike stayed on the bridge and with no way to get around him I tried to stop, but I was too close to the right edge and I fell off the bridge. I hopped back on my bike as quick as I could and passed the guy and tried to just go again. However, on a short uphill I didn't quite make I was passed by the next closest women (Kelly Skillicorn - if you remember from a previous post she was this years winner of the Birkebeiner.) I stayed with her and then on a straight section I passed her again, although that led to a short uphill that she managed better than I and she passed me back. The rest of the second lap I stayed right with her until almost the end. When yet again a short uphill and some "friendly" advice from some spectators distracted me and I shifted wrong and lost my chain. It was too close to the end to catch back up I did the best I could and I finished 39 seconds back. It was another excellent race and it was really fun running that long at the front, although somewhat hard to gage on how fast/hard I should push it. I'm getting stronger and my training is back on track, finally after the move and all the projects... Next race is MNSCS #5 Red Wing.
Matt's Race
Earlier in the week I had made the decision to race in the SS Comp class to give myself a chance to compete closer to the front of the pack. Since this race is not affiliated with the MNSCS series it wouldn't matter in the standings, so why not.
It was a different feeling pulling up to the start being behind the expert class and at the back of the comp class. The sent off the 39+ and SS as the last wave. After all the other waves were off it was our turn to go and I pinned it as fast as I could down the long lead out section. During the lead out I was completely spun out and feel toward the back of the pack, I think all the gearies were gone by that point. Once into the single track I held a very good pace. The bike handled the flowing single track with ease and I was really comfortable on the trail. I was catching up to many of the riders that blew by me on the start.
I witnessed one of the craziest crashes part way through lap one. I was following in a small group of 4 riders just after crossing the bridge for the second time. All of a sudden the rider in front of me went strait down, head first, into the ground. I had just enough room to pass by on the left and nobody was caught in the crash. The rider who crashed yelled out, "what happened", and the person behind him casually said, "your fork broke". Andrea later saw him carrying his bike out of the woods, his carbon fork snapped just above the dropouts on both sides. I hope everyone is OK.
Near the end of lap one I was caught by one of the single speeders who obviously had a bad start. He dogged me for a while and he offered to lead. I allowed him to pass and we worked together to keep up a really good pace. We rode that way on lap 2 until going through the start/finish line to begin lap 3. For some reason It was becoming difficult to pedal the crank and it was starting to seize up. I thought that it might just be some dirt in the bottom bracket so I tried to continue peddling to work it free. By the entrance to the single track it would not turn over. I got off the bike and it took me a minute to determine that the SS lock ring had backed off and was now cross threaded causing it to rub on the inside of the frame. I quickly pulled the wheel off but without tools I could not remove the lock ring. Thinking my day was done, I carried the bike back to camp. Never wanting to DNF, however, I grabbed a pliers and was able to get the lock ring off and re threaded correctly. At this point the goal was to go all out and see how much time I could make up by the end of the race.
On lap three I pushed really hard and managed to finish 17th out of 23. I figured I lost about 10 minutes due to the mechanical and that would have put me in about 5th place. A good race overall despite the mechanical and the legs felt good.
Next race Red Wing
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
MNSCS #4 Bluff Riders Charge at Mt Kato
The weekend started out with The Hendrick's, Ray, Ray's mom (Rosie), Kevin and Kristie and Us all meeting at our house Saturday morning to cara"van" down to Mankato (3 vans all in a line). We arrived at Mt. Kato about noon for a preride. The weather at this point was great. Matt took Devon out for a preride and Jordan, Micole and I all went out together and the other guys went out as a group. Many of us went out for a second lap for good measure and then we enjoyed some lunch. The trail was a little dusty so we all thought a little rain would be nice.
Another beautiful race day! Although we were all a little worried when it started raining Saturday afternoon and didn't stop until sometime Sunday early morning. We said "a little rain!" The course ended up being fine with just a couple sketchy sections.
The day started with Taylor telling us 15 minutes before the Kids Comp race that she was going to race today, so we let her.
Devon and Taylor and Matt (who was riding with Devon for encouragement) were lined up for the Kids Comp race to start when I realized the camera was still in the car, I booked as fast as I could (I had 30 seconds to get there and back) grabbed the camera and got there just in time to take pictures of the start. The kids did great!! By the top of the first climb Devon had passed Taylor. Taylor was not happy in fact I think her words to Devon were "What are you doing you freak?" Where Matt responded "if you ever act like that again or call someone a name your race will be over and you will be done for the day" Where Taylor responded "What? He is a freak!" Matt and Devon ignored her and went on their
merry way! Both Devon and Taylor looked good out there and they both came back with smiles on there faces.
Next it was Jordan's turn! They sent the waves off differently this time the 1st wave was 30+ everyone and the second wave was 29 and under everyone, so it was hard for her to gage during the race where she stood. She had a great race she rode smooth and finished 2nd overall for the ladies out of 6. She finished 24 out 53 for all the citizen riders.
I was next! I went out prior to my race and got a good 20+ minute warm-up in, I went down the road and found another dirt road that had a couple hills I went up that a couple times and felt great. During my preride I drank my entire
water bottle, which probably helped me during my race, no side cramps this race at all. After my preride I went back to our area and ate a small powerbar and relaxed for a bit before my race started. About 5 minutes before we were to start lining up I got back on my bike and tooled around a bit to get my legs back into racing mode. Next it was go time! As we took off from the starting line I booked as fast as I could, because I know at Mt. Kato if you don't get in a good position before the climb starts it can be a little difficult to pass because of huge ruts and holes on the sides of the track. On the climb I was sitting in 4th place, by the time we reached the top of the hill I was in 
3rd place. I was in a good spot and I wanted to keep the leaders in my sight, so I sat back in at a good pace and just rode smooth. I kept the 2 ladies in my sights and then in the "gets tight" section one of them faltered. She went off the trail a bit, was ok, and just about to get back on her bike as I passed her. At this point I had just one lady in front of me. I kept her in my sights the rest of the 1st lap and then on the second lap in the same place where the other lady faltered she too went down, although I didn't pass her I did catch up and I was right on her back wheel. There was a couple times I fell back because of small shifting errors or other bobbles but I stayed with her. Then at the end of the lap right after the luge we were on our last leg of singletrack and I was right on her back wheel, if there would have been a place to pass I could have easily passed her at this point, but I probably would have gone down the embankment. So I thought to my self as soon as it breaks out in the open I will kick it into high gear and pass her, but she did the same. I tried as hard as I could to pass her but it just was not going to happen. Margaret finished at 1:15:34.3 and I finished at 1:15:34.7 just .4 seconds back from the lead. I was exstactic! It was my best race ever! I raced smooth, I didn't run low on energy, my hill climbs were improving, and I felt great - no cramps in my sides or in my knees. Now I just need to remember everything I did so I can repeat the performance!
Matt's race was last! (I'll let him write about his race)
Thanks to Wannabee Racing for some of the great pictures!! We really appreciate them.
Another beautiful race day! Although we were all a little worried when it started raining Saturday afternoon and didn't stop until sometime Sunday early morning. We said "a little rain!" The course ended up being fine with just a couple sketchy sections.
The day started with Taylor telling us 15 minutes before the Kids Comp race that she was going to race today, so we let her.
Devon and Taylor and Matt (who was riding with Devon for encouragement) were lined up for the Kids Comp race to start when I realized the camera was still in the car, I booked as fast as I could (I had 30 seconds to get there and back) grabbed the camera and got there just in time to take pictures of the start. The kids did great!! By the top of the first climb Devon had passed Taylor. Taylor was not happy in fact I think her words to Devon were "What are you doing you freak?" Where Matt responded "if you ever act like that again or call someone a name your race will be over and you will be done for the day" Where Taylor responded "What? He is a freak!" Matt and Devon ignored her and went on their
merry way! Both Devon and Taylor looked good out there and they both came back with smiles on there faces.
Next it was Jordan's turn! They sent the waves off differently this time the 1st wave was 30+ everyone and the second wave was 29 and under everyone, so it was hard for her to gage during the race where she stood. She had a great race she rode smooth and finished 2nd overall for the ladies out of 6. She finished 24 out 53 for all the citizen riders.
I was next! I went out prior to my race and got a good 20+ minute warm-up in, I went down the road and found another dirt road that had a couple hills I went up that a couple times and felt great. During my preride I drank my entire
water bottle, which probably helped me during my race, no side cramps this race at all. After my preride I went back to our area and ate a small powerbar and relaxed for a bit before my race started. About 5 minutes before we were to start lining up I got back on my bike and tooled around a bit to get my legs back into racing mode. Next it was go time! As we took off from the starting line I booked as fast as I could, because I know at Mt. Kato if you don't get in a good position before the climb starts it can be a little difficult to pass because of huge ruts and holes on the sides of the track. On the climb I was sitting in 4th place, by the time we reached the top of the hill I was in 
3rd place. I was in a good spot and I wanted to keep the leaders in my sight, so I sat back in at a good pace and just rode smooth. I kept the 2 ladies in my sights and then in the "gets tight" section one of them faltered. She went off the trail a bit, was ok, and just about to get back on her bike as I passed her. At this point I had just one lady in front of me. I kept her in my sights the rest of the 1st lap and then on the second lap in the same place where the other lady faltered she too went down, although I didn't pass her I did catch up and I was right on her back wheel. There was a couple times I fell back because of small shifting errors or other bobbles but I stayed with her. Then at the end of the lap right after the luge we were on our last leg of singletrack and I was right on her back wheel, if there would have been a place to pass I could have easily passed her at this point, but I probably would have gone down the embankment. So I thought to my self as soon as it breaks out in the open I will kick it into high gear and pass her, but she did the same. I tried as hard as I could to pass her but it just was not going to happen. Margaret finished at 1:15:34.3 and I finished at 1:15:34.7 just .4 seconds back from the lead. I was exstactic! It was my best race ever! I raced smooth, I didn't run low on energy, my hill climbs were improving, and I felt great - no cramps in my sides or in my knees. Now I just need to remember everything I did so I can repeat the performance!
Matt's race was last! (I'll let him write about his race)
Thanks to Wannabee Racing for some of the great pictures!! We really appreciate them.
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