It’s been almost 5 months since my last race…. lots of time to train, right? Well, not so much. A fat and lazy Holiday season put a few pounds on that I swore to ride off around the New Year…. well crappy weather and and unfortunate wrist fracture sidelined that plan for a while………

Finally made it back to the start line for the Waco Outback Blowout. A last minute decision to race sent me down there the morning of, and I hit the course with no pre-ride. Not a big deal, as the course was almost, if not exactly, the same as last year. Not much to report, as I rolled out with the 40+ Experts and crossed the line 22nd out of I believe 31 finishers. Slightly below mid-pack, but about where I expected to be. Maybe even just a little better. Training has gone pretty well since, and I expect to get back into better race shape before too long. Although I am not really focusing on the TMBRA series this Spring, I will try to make a few races. My goals are some of the longer races including Syllamo’s Revenge in May, The ORAMM in July, and The Fool’s Gold in August.

On a very positive note, I absolutely loved my new ride, a steel hardtail Vassago Bandersnatch……… what a great bike and a ton of fun to race….

TMBRA Fall Cup Race #3

….as I left the feed zone, jjay came up quick behind me, passed me and kept going…. I caught up easily and followed for a while….we traded places several times over the next few miles, and then I finally snuck by on the right side, put the hammer down and dropped him for good…

Unfortunately this was only on the drive home.

Palo Duro Canyon held many great memories for me and returning there did not disappoint. Those who raced it will surely agree it is an awesome trail. Those who didn’t missed out on something special. The pre-ride was a great experience, as I recalled vividly rolling over these trails a couple years back. The canyon looked even better…very lush…colors were distinctive and vibrant. I was excited to be here once again, and looked forward to the race. I felt great after the pre-ride and an afternoon hot tub/pool soak and a great local dinner left me ready to race the canyon.

Weather was perfect as the Expert class warmed up and by the start we really couldn’t ask for better. Ahead of us was a fun yet challenging 32 mile desert race course that offered ALL types of terrain. On the line I counted 12 racers. Easily the lowest turnout of the season. A finish, even a DFL finish, guaranteed 12th place! Hey, this was great news for me! The reward for making the trip was made clear!

The race started and I dropped into a comfortable spot in the tail end of the pack. The small class and long course made itself clear before too long and things got spread out quickly. I spent the early part of the race with a couple other riders and soon things again got spread out and I found myself riding alone. Content, I tried to focus on a solid pace and just decided to enjoy the trail. I made a couple of the tougher obstacles on the first half of the course, and while not setting speed records, I was happy with my race so far. As expected, the leaders of the 40+ group started to catch up…. an unnown rider went by first and not too long after I heard Boyd behind me. I hit a tricky, sandy uphill and was trying to give Boyd a line and stay on my bike…but we both ended up quickly pushing past the section. Back on the bikes I tried to hold his wheel as long as possible..hoping to give him a push as well as a chance to break away from his chasers. He gained some ground soon and I picked it back up again just to keep his followers from getting by me. Eventually I had to give in and let 2 more 40+ guys pass as they raced off after Boyd. The rest of the first lap was mostly uneventful until I came to the loose, sandy, rocky downhill leading into the picnic area……I had negotiated this successfully on Saturday, but may have hit it with too much speed on Sunday. I was pretty locked up as I slid down the hill….which had a couple tricky rocks about half way down—I hit the rocks and my wheel turned—-a nice little endo ensued and I felt the good/bad feeling of gravelly rock against my fleshy forearms and shins. The burn of the scrapes was familiar, as was the rush of adrenaline…..hearing other riders behind me I grabbed my bike to clear the way and jumped back on to get back in the race.

The female Pro riders caught me at the end of Lap 1, and I was disappointed….I did feel better later knowing they only did the Sport distance!! As I started my second lap, I had an older Expert racer behind me…we rode for a while and talked a bit before he finally asked to get by. I was in no hurry at this point so I pulled to the right just a bit to let him by….he passed on the left and I must have let my wheel slide back into the groove of the singletrack. We bumped slightly and I basically “tipped over”. No big deal. Most of the time. Unfortunately THIS time I fell directly into a patch of cactus. Now I don’t know a damn thing about cactus…different types, what they look like, etc…but I am pretty sure this was a collection of every cactus known to man….and this fine collection had now secured a place in my hands, my legs, my side, and my ass. Humility aside, I asked the rider who had bumped me if I could have a hand getting up. He obliged, and I sent him on his way so i could assess the damage.

I began pulling the larger spines out…and realized they only broke off in my skin. The smaller ones, and there were thousands…maybe millions…were everywhere. I tried to grab the obvious ones. I think I probably spent a good 7 to 9 mins dealing with the issue and finally decided to try riding it out. I took off and rode well on rested legs. Before the end of the race, I would stop twice more to deal with the thorny invaders, which were jabbing me in my thigh, my hand, and in places that can only be described as “sub-chamois”.

I was very close to pulling out of the race, but memories of Comfort and my very disappointing DNF there kept me from quitting. The sting of the cactus began to subside and I knew I could finish. I was happy to finish and take a look and begin to laugh at my fate! I still had long cactus spines sticking out of me, which I know was a kick for others to see!

Turned out that even with my delays i finished in just under 3 hours, good enough for 10th out of 11 finishers….not only avoiding DFL but giving me my first ever “Top 10″ finish in Expert! Of course I would never count it as such….but it looks good on paper!

Two short years ago I raced at CHSP in the Beginner 35-44 class. This was my first season racing in DORBA races, and after a disappointing DNF with a catastrophic flat at RCP, this was my first race to finish. Barely. The course was gut-wrenching to me and 56 minutes after the start I found myself in 23rd place. How anyone could get around that course in less than 56 minutes I will never understand.

Faced with the longer Expert class race this time around, I felt not intimidated, but prepared, anxious, and up for the challenge. I would be racing in a much stronger class, and might expect the same result, but the personal challenge was what I craved the most.

Earlier I had mentioned one of my season goals was to pin down my warm-up routine, and this race allowed me to follow my plan perfectly. I was registered for the race, preparations done, bottles filled, everything ready to go….I got on the trainer for 20-25 mins, then spent another 15-20 on the roads/trails, a few short bursts, overall I felt great. We had a bit of a delay before the start, but nothing I hadn’t expected. I kept moving a bit to keep the legs alive and I felt good on the start. My early registration afforded me a frontline position, but I gave it up to faster riders as we staged.

I have decided to try different things this season, and for this race my plan was to start slow, not blow up too early, and make an attack to pick riders off as they tire. I stuck with this plan and after a slow start by the whole group, I was in the position I wanted. My heart rate was low, my legs felt good, as I rolled along with the train through the early singletrack. My bike was shifting cleanly, my tire choice was spot on. The bike beneath me felt sound. A bobble here, a mechanical there, and I started to move my way up. Early on, Glenn Love, who I had learned at Huntsville was solid competition for me, bailed out of the race. I still haven’t learned why. I was disappointed the challenge of racing him was gone, but thrilled to have gained the placement automatically. I rode along with the group I knew was my competition and one by one I seemed to be making progress in passing them.

I started to pull away a bit as well. An unkown Mad Duck rider let me slip by, Brian Bacon..who i had battled with at Huntsville, fell back a few seconds…… and in my sights was teammate Kevin Johnson, in his first ever Expert race. I did a short attack interval to catch KJ and dropped in on his rear wheel well-announced thanks to an unidentified NTMBP member who let out a clamorous “GO JERSEY” right as I caught up. Kevin offered the pass, but I chose to hang back for a few and recover. We had a slight gap on the riders behind us and his pace seemed good despite his claim of being tired.

When the trailing riders caught us I knew it was time to attack again, and I let KJ know I was going by. I moved past him and started to press forward. It seemed that after just a few minutes I could hear KJ on my tail again, as well as the other riders I had been trying to gap. Another minute or two and they were all on my wheel.

A year and a half ago I raced Cameron Park in Waco as a Beginner. It was the first hot and humid day we had experienced that year and i think the temperatures caught everybody by surprise. I can remember being cold while racing in the heat. Chills. Miserable. I came to learn that this was a sign of dehydration…..and i quickly learned it was something to avoid. It was unreal to feel my body just shut down like that. I assured myself I would never let it happen again.

Not sure how I got there but once again, I felt the chills set in. KJ and the train were knockin and I knew i had to let them by. I was done. My legs were ok. Heart rate wasn’t too bad. Breathing was good. I just couldn’t move. I pulled right and hung my head as the train I had helped assemble and lead for a while now pulled by. I was weak. I continued past the main trailhead and up the switchback climbs, which practically buried me. My water bottle was empty, my spirit not far behind. I pressed on through the first lap and took a very slow trip through the feed zone. I knew I had to be sure and get my hand-up…I also wanted an extra bottle here, and thoughts of bailing were on my mind. As most of you reading this know, it takes nothing more than one slight cheer from the spectators and off you go, despite your pain. I heard a cheer and off I went. I poured the fluids in and immediately felt better. I rode for a bit, drank a little more, I think I had a gel pack, and I decided to start my comeback. I dug deep, hit the pedals and away into the woods I rode. I felt good for about 10 or 15 minutes, and even passed a guy or two. No clue who they were, and I can’t even guarantee they were in the race. I had hoped I would soon see some sign of riders up ahead…..but I didn’t. Before long it hit me again and I bonked hard…. I knew i was done for the day and my focus became survival. Finish the race. I rolled along at the best pace i could push despite my weakened condition. With only a few miles to go I heard my name yelled from behind and Tom Brandish went screaming by at what I swore was super-sonic speed. I thought I heard a sonic boom, but it may have only been his Conti Explorer blowing out a sidewall. Confused….as I had not seen him changing a flat….I suddenly began to worry–Was Tom leading the race? Had he lapped me? Did that mean i still had another lap to go?? OH GOD I HOPE NOT! The lack of subsequent riders assured me that Brandish must have suffered the same fate as he did in Huntsville, and he was simply trying to catch back up to the lead pack.

I rolled weakly across the finish line, proud to have outlasted the temptation to quit, but broken and weak at the performance I had given. It’s hard enough to do something entirely wrong, realize it and pay the price. When you can’t put a finger on your problem, it seems to haunt you more.

My 22nd place finish was a disappointment to me, but I learned several lessons this day. there are still plenty of races ahead and I hope to apply them successfully!

Next stop….the Texas Panhandle for the TMBRA race at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Camp Eagle was the first race I had missed since the start of the Fall 2006 series. I had done all of the Fall 2006 TMBRA & DORBA races, all of the DORBA Frozen Four races, and every single TMBRA Spring series race. It was just one of those things, if there was a race, I had to be there. A number of circumstances arose that kept me from the Camp Eagle race which started the Fall series for TMBRA. Having raced there the season before I was eager to attend….but there was just no way to make it happen.

Returning to Huntsville was a challenge. There were definitely some ghosts lingering. My last race….back in May, at X-Bar Ranch in Eldorado, left me bruised, bloodied, and shaken after a bad wreck in the last 4 or 5 miles. Beyond that, Huntsville was the venue for my worst Sport finish, courtesy of some heavy legs and pesky mechanicals. Luckily I had wrapped up my overall spot by the time, but the course still just had a bad vibe for me. I am often stressing elements of “sports psychology” to those I ride and race with, so now it was time to practice what I preach. My Huntsville Classic goal was to enter and not finish DFL in the 30-39 class.

After a very productive pre-ride, I felt good about entering into my first ever 3-lap Expert race. Despite my race age being 40, after the pre-ride I officially entered the race in the 30-39 category.

One of my goals this season is to better manage my warm-up routine, and I had a plan ready to put in place. Although the usual complications arose i think I had a better warm up than in the past and I felt very good about that. Still room to tweak it, but I feel I have found a good formula.

Imagine my surprise when the 30-39 category was larger than the 40-49, which had been huge last season! I suppose that made my chances of a “Non-DFL” finish greater, but it was quite intimidating lining up with all of those fast riders. A couple guys gave me the “What the heck are you doing here” comments…..but then the gun went off…….

I always hated the Beginner races because of the mad dash to enter the single track. When you have a 1 lap race ahead of you, you’d better be up there early or you’re toast. I spent most of my beginner career as toast. In the Sport class I finally learned to take a chance and get in front and found out soon enough that there is some real fun racing going on up there. by the time I moved to Expert,I found out it was best if I stayed out of most guys way and just followed the pack…this was my plan in Huntsville.

The start got ugly pretty quick with a tangled up endo not more than 100 yards off the start….things settled down after that and I was just cruising with the pack…as we hit the first rooty and tricky section, the dust was so thick you couldn’t see the trail at all….thank goodness these guys had skills or everyone would have been down….the group slowed a bit but everyone survived and we made our way into the heart of the course. I saw the lead pack pull away pretty quick, and the train started to thin out. I always did what I could to keep the gap ahead of me as small as possible, and I was also willing to let guys by as I knew I was outclassed by many. Things settled down soon enough and I was surprised to actually be racing along with a group of riders. Unlike other classes I had raced with, I didn’t know a lot of the riders, so I wasn’t really sure where I was amongst the pack.

The start and first lap had my heart rate up pretty high. No matter how good my warm up is I always seem to go anaerobic off the start. I was pretty quickly in serious pain and major oxygen debt. I decided that the 3 lap race would be long, so I settled in to a reasonable pace, and it seemed a few others shared my pain. Lap 1 was mostly uneventful other than feeling out some of the conditions left by the Sport racers. The sandy corners were a bit better by now and I knew I could push it a bit more come lap 2 & 3. Lap 1 highlights were a couple of passes made possible by some “Ninja Lines” on a rooty section of trail and a strong push through the big sand pit…. I think both guys went back by me, but hey it’s nice at the time.

Lap 2 was a mental battle for me. It wasn’t as if the places that caused pain were behind me for good….I had to face the fact that in about 45 mins I was going to have to tackle them again. This was hard. Lap 2 was unexpectedly my toughest lap. There were several familiar faces as places changed back and forth….also the faster guys from the 40-49 group made their presence known repeatedly as they zipped on by. It was nice to catch the class ahead here and there…..that rarely happened when I raced 40-49. I started to try things like running intervals to catch or drop riders, and also to utilize different parts of the course I was stronger on. I finished lap 2 strong by passing a Big Pig rider and a Bike Lane rider.

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Here, I’m sitting back watching a twisty, turny rider sink in the sand. I passed him here, only to be caught again moments later. That sand is a leg-wrecker!

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Then I embarked on Lap 3.

I was now in unknown territory. Having never raced this distance I wasn’t sure what to expect. Pretty soon after the lap started the Big Pig rider (Chris Burke) and The Bike Lane guy (Brian Bacon) (I shit you not!) passed me again. So yep, I just got passed by Pig & Bacon. Fellow teammate Andy Reglin caught me, passed me, we traded here and there, it’s all hard to recall. Eventually I remember getting by him again that lap. During my 2nd lap I had made a mental note that there was a log down across the trail and it seemed that most of the terrain from there to the finish favored my riding style as I seemed to catch up to some other riders in that stretch. I had decided this would be my finish kick. No matter how I felt I knew we were almost done and i would empty the tank to get to the finish.

Before long I caught the Big Pig racer and got by him… I think Reglin was still on my azz at this point. I know he wrecked somewhere during the race….but i think it was an earlier lap. I think we both passed Brandish towards the end, and I, err I mean a course marshall gave him some air to pump his tire. : ) I kept moving forward and was alone for a bit before catching the Bike Lane guy. I came up quickly and went right by him and he said something like “Wow, you must have gotten a 3rd wind!”…..he was the guy I had dropped at the sand pit who came back and passed me a bit later. Fueled on by his comment I pushed forward and despite being all alone, I gave it the old sprint finish to get home. I was spent, physically/mentally/emotionally but I had just finished my first 3 lap Expert race. A friendly face at the finish told me I finished “Just a couple minutes after jjay”. “Wow!” I thought!!! I ‘ll get his ass next race!!! Turns out “a couple minutes” was actually closer to 17 minutes, so it seems I have my work cut out for me!

All things considered, I was pleased with the race. Remember the theme of personal challenge. Mine was met for the time being, let’s see what I come up with next. I was pleased to finish the longer race, not come in DFL, and gain some valuable experience along the way.

See you at CHSP……

I’m glad jjay started this whole blog deal, because I realize that while I have done a lot of racing in a short time, I have never written anything about it. There are pictures out there from guys like Digirebel and commiebike, and of course other team members and friends, but even those fail to tell the whole story after time passes by. This will be a great way to capture the experiences and emotions behind those photos.

A quick trip to the past will bring me to the start of this whole “blog” thing…

I started racing in the Spring of 2005. First time ever at the start line was a Dirt Dawg Time Trial, LB Houston to be exact. I was petrified, but I wanted some kind of experience before I ventured off to my first ever XC race….that race was The Broken Oak challenge, which was the final race of the TMBRA series that season….it was a grueling course, unlike anything I had ridden so far in my mountain biking career, and I finished somewhere around 8 out of 10 riders. Dismal you say? Heck no, I was hooked. My next experience in the race scene was as a course marshall, which seemed a safe way to get on the course with the big guns but not have to actually race!! This was for the Midnight Rodeo endurance race. Next time out I paired up as a team to do the Smurfboy challenge. Holy crap, I’m racing mountain bikes!! The fall season came along and I entered my first ever DORBA races and a couple of TMBRA races as well. Lackluster results led to some training over the Winter, and in Spring of 2006 I decided to give this thing a shot for real. Then I quit. Pressure to race paired with a weekend intensive work schedule made me cave. I backed out quietly, asking to be removed from the team. It wasn’t too long after that when some things cleared up in my schedule and before you knew it I was working my way up in the beginner class. Lucky for me jjay ignored my previous request to be taken off the team.  Some not-so-bad finishes, a little bit of Paydirt, and a season long feud on the trail with sfrey and I found myself in a pretty good place at season’s end. On paper anyway, because physically, I was in Moab, UT!  Mountain bike Mecca had been reached.

That Summer was a turning point for me as I trained intensively and soon realized I had reached the point to compete in the Sport class. That fall I entered all DORBA & TMBRA races as a Sport 35-39 racer and fared pretty well, finding myself on the podium several times and finishing up 1st overall in DORBA and 3rd overall in TMBRA. I was pretty pleased, to say the least. Although not required to, I had earned the right to cat up to Expert if I chose to. It was tempting to stay in Sport and enjoy the spoils of success. But let me go back for a minute–in the Fall of 2004 I found myself at 210 pounds and smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day. I hated myself for that and knew I had to make a lifestyle change. It was a huge challenge, but I did it, largely with the help of mountain biking. Personal challenge would become a recurring theme—so I moved up to Expert for the Spring of 2007. Of course I had a convenient loophole, as my race age was now 40, so I was able to become an Expert class racer without an increase in distance (Expert 40-49 races the Sport distance, or as jjay likes to say, “The Women’s Distance”). Only the level of my competition would change. And did it ever. I went from the podium to sub mid-pack almost overnight! Nevertheless I was pleased with my progress and relished the challenge of riding with the Experts.

Approaching the current season, Fall 2007, I took inventory and realized that in my short career as a mountain bike racer I had raced in the following classes:

Beginner 30-39

Beginner 35-44

Sport Clydesdale (200+ lbs!)

Sport 35-39

Endurance Open Men 19-39

Endurance Open Co-ed Team

Expert 40-49

It seemed to me I hadn’t ever spent more than one season (or less) in a particular class! Why buck the trend? I decided that I was going to “cat-up” again and give the Expert 30-39 group a shot. It’s not that the Expert 40-49 group didn’t offer a challenge; in fact they whooped up on me pretty good! But recalling my “loophole”, I had never raced the full expert race distance. Another personal challenge– I wanted to know that I could. As always, the immediate goal was simple, finish the race…..the unspoken goal was don’t finish DFL.

Up next, The Huntsville Classic…………