25 Apr 2009

As it’s not really racing season here and the lads have decided to stay indoors and snuggle with their girlfriends instead of race, Andrew B has kindly donated his latest race report from over the pond….

Friday, April 24, 2009

New Old Love

This weekend I fell just a little bit in love again.

They say bike racing is a cruel mistress, but I think it is more like a marriage - it takes commitment, and you get out of it what you put in. I hadn’t been putting in any real “structure” over the past few months, and hadn’t been getting much out of my riding.

This weekend’s Big Bear race - WVMBA #1 - was the kick in the pants I needed. The foot that gave the kick to me and everybody else is front and center in this picture.

(picture mysteriously disappeared)

Frigging Jeremy - going fast. Maybe if I had shorter shorts and a leg tattoo I could drop the hammer, too.

On Sunday I pulled a typical set of stunts - put new tubeless tires on the bike, swapped out brake pads, and tuned nothing. Sweet. I figured my bike would work at least as well as my legs, but still, it is always good to have an excuse or two lined up in case you need it.

The morning of panic left the dog nervous, but I didn’t feel too much stress. This is the great thing about low expectations. I only had two goals for the race - don’t be last, don’t get chicked.

What was the race like? Didn’t start fast enough, gave too many punchy efforts trying to pass/ride with people who stunk on the singletrack but could climb well, and felt like crap over the last thirdish of the race.

Oh, and lots of rocks. Maybe I should do some more pullups.

Did I mention that there were lots of rocks? While I was limping in towards the finish, someone came up behind me. The unidentified rider politely said “on your right.” Frig. It was Betsy. I answered politely “Dang it Betsy!”

Getting caught by the fastest woman in WV was the kick in the pants I needed. I rode behind until Betsy bobbled on a rocky section, then I took the lead and offered to pull to the finish. I “pulled” the best I could on the flat sections, and did the big ring pride sprint over the last 1/2 mile to beat two people outside of my class. Sweet.

I finished up 16minutes back on 1st. The result was better than I expected, the last time I raced in an expert field I was just about DFL and almost got lapped.

I am super stoked about mountwood. I’ve heard it is more buffed out, and a “big guy friendly” course. Hopefully my “A” legs (and stomach) will show up and I’ll be able to race a bit better.

Racing is just so much fun. My thylacine performed flawlessly, as usual. I think I need a ti weightweenie version. If there are people out there on the fence about “race” geometry, I’d recommend looking at slacker bikes. Confidence, neutrality, and stability cover a magnitude of bike-handling evils.

Posted by warwick @ 12:18 am

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