Beer, Bikes, and Snow

Singlespeed-a-Palooza (SSaP) hosted by Darkhorse Cycles is one of my favorite races and I look forward to it every year.  This would be my 5th year competing in the race but would be my first year racing in the Women's Open category. It would be my first race of the season after what seemed to be a never-ending winter.  I have a rigid singlespeed (SS) that I normally ride for camp and every once in a while will dust it off for a ride.  Due a busy fall of CX and what seemed to be a never-ending winter, I hadn't touched this since last summer.  I had every intention of riding over my spring break but between the rain and a stomach virus that wiped me out, I got out once.  The wheels turned and things seemed ok for the short ride I did. This year the SSaP course was announced to be 30 or so miles.  Other than a 4-hour endurance race I did a few years ago, this would be the longest I had ever raced.   Up until now, most of my mountain bike races are i...

Yesterday was my 4th Singlespeed-a-Palooza (SSaP).  I love this race - Stewart is a blast and Darkhorse Cycles puts on a great venue.  The vibe is more relaxed and friendly than some of the other mountain bike races and this was a great way to start the 2014 season. Going into the race, I had a few personal goals.  I wanted to finish top 5 and finish with no mechanicals.  My past two races have been...well, sort of disappointing.  I wasn't letting this happen again. The Sport girls lined up last.  We all laughed and joked until the horn blew.  I kept reminding myself that this wasn't a cross race - I would need to pace myself for the distance and not blow up.  The horn blew and we were off.  I pedaled down the fire road, hearing the group behind me. Going into the woods, I knew one girl was right behind me.  I just kept pedaling through Major Mike when I noticed a guy approaching me on the trail.  He announced "first Spor...