Beer, Bikes, and Snow

Two weeks after the ESC Glen Park Enduro, MASS would be hosting the Glen Park Enduro Round 1.  Due to my schedule, I was on the fence about racing since I couldn't get up to pre-ride and inspect the course.  Lucky for me, the course would be the same five stages I raced prior.  So I signed up at the last minute. The day before the race, heavy rain storms passed through, causing some concern about wet roots and slick corners.  As we waited for the racer meeting, it started to rain.  Great.  The promoter announced that there were a few minor changes from the ESC course, but for the most part, everything was the same.  I had a goal of nailing the two spots I struggled with two weeks ago - Stage 1 and Stage 3.  Oh, and to stay upright.   I noted who the Pro women were - and knew that in addition to my friend (who opted not to race) there was only one other girl registered in my field.  So there were two of us. I took my time getting ...

Last year I was bored with racing XC and needed a change.  I got my feet wet in a few races last year and decided 2017 would be the year I tried more enduros and DH racing.  I got a rad new "big" bike for enduro racing and signed up for the first local race, Eastern States Cup Glen Park Enduro. I'd raced Glen Park last spring and had success.  The park has a history of great free-riding with lots of steep chutes and drops.  The race was the last weekend of my spring break but due to my schedule, I would have to go up as they were marking the course.  The trails are a network of criss-cross tangled lines, and it was up to me to figure out what trails would be included in the five stages. I arrived to find a few guys pre-riding and offered to let me follow.  I actually ended up riding with a father and son from VT, who were incredibly fast and fun to ride behind.  Until I ate it on Stage 3 - why didn't I wear knee pads? I ignored the blood an...