Beer, Bikes, and Snow

I've often passed on racing the Bulldog Rump because of timing.  In the past, it was in mid-July, which is when I'm in the heart of camp and it's usually incredibly hot.  The last time I raced Bulldog Rump was 2014 , which the NJ State Championship race and prep for Nationals .  This year the race was moved almost a month earlier, so it was something I considered. I told myself that Jungle Habitat would be my XC race of 2016.  I was enjoying just riding and not putting in the time training.  But then I got that urge to finish out my season with a course and park I know very well.  I figured, why not.  I had plans to be in the area after the race so it worked out. I arrived early and got in some riding before, hitting the 2nd part of the course.  I took my time getting ready, catching up with people, and staying hydrated.  It was a picture perfect day - blue skies, nice breeze, and low humidity. There would only be two of us in the C...

I made the decision to race the Bear Creek Enduro as soon as I finished my first enduro in May.  I registered and got the course map .  I went up the Tuesday before the race to scope out the stages and pre-ride.  Stages 1 and 2 were the 2nd half of the XC race.  No problem.  And Stage 5 was the initial XC climb up the mountain but in reverse.  No problem. I found Stage 4 before finding Stage 3 so I rode that.  I was on my flat pedals and shoes - and struggled with a few rocks that I worked on.  I popped up a short steep incline onto the ski trail, looked around and figured that was the end of Stage 4.  Onto Stage 3, which seemed familiar at first.  I crossed the ski trail and BOOM.  A steep rock garden in front of me.  I was startled, not ready and before I knew it, I was flying over the bars.  I landed on my side on a rock and my bike bounced down the trail.  I laid there aching, trying to figure out what was broke...

My first experience with downhill (DH) was in Fernie, BC during our honeymoon four years ago. Granted I was on my all-mountain XC bike, I was terrified to ride down anything and everything.  I never had the urge to ride a bike park or downhill again.  Until I tried it last summer - on a proper DH bike and with the guidance of Ben.  I loved it - and wanted more.  Unfortunately my CX season was starting and I would be training for the upcoming season.  I spent the winter and spring working on skills that would carry over to DH and purchased a season pass to Mountain Creek. The idea of trying a DH race peaked my curiosity when I saw that Mountain Creek would be hosting a race Memorial Day weekend.  The weekend before the race I found out that some of the trails I had been practicing would not be in the Cat 2/3 race - including Asylum.   I wouldn't be able to pre-ride the course until the Friday of race weekend.  Ben spent the day going over sectio...