Beer, Bikes, and Snow

Last year, racing Nationals was the last thing on my mind.  In fact, racing mountain bikes in general wasn't a priority for me. The last two seasons of mountain bike racing wasn't what I had hoped, so I was putting my energy in to CX. The location of Nationals travels throughout the United States - and next year's Nationals will be in Bend, OR.  While it would be incredible to get out to Bend next year, Lance and I would need to qualify, take off from work, and get on the other side of the country.   Nationals would be at Bear Creek in PA again this year.  So I thought I s hould really try to go for it as I may never have the opportunity to race Nationals again.     I raced Bear Creek in June as part of the MASS series.  The course would be similar if not the same for Nationals.  I had a blast and registered both of us for Nationals as soon as we got home.   Lance and I took a clinic with Harlan Price the weekend before Nationals, whic...

Two years ago I signed up for the MASS Summer Sizzler even though I told myself I wouldn't race once camp started.  The name of the race ended up being appropriate for the day.  It was an incredibly hot day - so hot that the promoter shortened the course that followed my race. It was an awful race for me.  A fast course that required constant pedaling and little recovery.  I remember looking at my HR in the first lap and knew I wouldn't finish if I continued at that pace.  And I didn't.  On the 2nd lap, I started to feel nauseous and had chills.  I remember the men catching me on my 2nd lap - and Lance coming behind me.  He asked how I was, I replied "I don't feel good" and coasted through the remainder of the lap.  I never went out for my 3rd lap.  While it was the best thing to do, I was disappointed that I quit. I wasn't going to let that happen this year.  I had a goal of not blowing myself up and finishing. It was lonely ...

I've raced the Bulldog Rump twice.  And I only finished once.  The last time I raced there was in 2011, and I crashed in the first lap and DNF'd.  Usually the race is later in July, and for the past two years I've passed on racing as I'm in the middle of mountain bike camp .  This year they moved the date a bit earlier - so I said "why not". We ride KVSP weekly during camp.  I know the park quite well, so when I saw the course map posted, I had a pretty good idea what trails would be included.  I didn't sweat it.  I was able to get to the park the day before for a Cognition skills clinic and we rode the course after.  A few additions, including riding in the cedars along the lake. I arrived early Sunday morning and found a lot of familiar faces to chat with.  I geared up and headed over to the Needle side to warm up, clearing my head.  I was late getting to staging - I was in the wrong area and didn't see the access through the field...