Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 02:00 PM

Team Running Free sponsors athletes so they tell us about their adventures...

What better way to improve my technical riding than with a mountain bike race. I have raced on my mountain bike before, but always as a part of an off road triathlon or adventure race. As this was my first mountain bike only race I entered the beginner division and set to test my technical skills in Chico Racing’s “Mansfield O-Cup”.

This race was rated by Chico Racing’s scale as a 4 physical and 3 technical out of 5. A perfect race for my physical strength and newbie technical skills.

Unaware of how a mountain bike race starts I was glad to find Chico’s organization really great. I was in the fourth wave of riders, who were separated by two minute intervals, with competitors in the women’s 19+ category. Each category was held in their own corral, that was well signed, until the category ahead of them took off.

Entering the corral my stomach was fearful, but as the race began I quickly eased in to race mode. The race started with a long gradual 4+min double track climb. I started at a relaxed pace as I had ridden up this hill as part of my warm up and knew it’s steep climb near the end would produce the lactic burn mountain bike races are known. As I approached the peak I hammered over it, passing several competitors and pushed hard on the brief downhill to gain more positions before the single track began.

Entering the single track I was pleased to find dry, hard packed trails that helped me to pick up speed, yet recover from my initial push at the start. To my surprise I passed several riders on the twisty-turny trails and felt really comfortable. Remembering some words of wisdom I relaxed my shoulders, looked down the trail, and let my bike roll on the down hills (instead of applying the brakes like I usually do).

The course had a great mix of single track trails separated by double track sections. At the end of the looped course (of which I had to complete twice) was a single track section called “Devil’s Drop”. As I had not pre rode the course, I was needless to say “scarred shitless” as I turned a tight right corner and laid my eyes on the steepest single track descent of my life. I actually went “UHHH” out loud and was quickly reassured by the race course marshal that I would be fine. Boy was she right! I relaxed and let my bike go and flew! It was a rush and I was excited to do it again on my second lap (this time minus the “UHHH”). After the race some of my teammates told me I was one of the fastest competitors down that section-YAHOO!

Climbing the monstrous hill the second time was actually easier. A little ways up I caught sight of a female competitor. I knew it would be a big mental gain for me to pass her on this hill, so I pushed hard. I passed her almost three quarters of the way up and never looked back. This pass gave me confidence and I used this to help me push hard thru the single track technical stuff. Surprisingly I felt stronger on the second lap and recorded a faster time (on my bike computer anyway).

While in the single track however I came up on a male rider who was not so eager to let me pass. After several attempts of calling “ON YOUR RIGHT!” I attempted to pass him on a tight decline. Course at the same time as I was passing him, he decided to go right and I had to slam on my brakes hard to avoid a collision. So over the handle bars I flew and landed on the soft forest floor. My bike came down on top of me and left quite a dent in my back. My initial reaction- “That was so cool!” I have never wiped out like that before (but have feared it). It didn’t hurt (well at the moment anyways) as I had anticipated it would, but only served to get the adrenalin going. After picking up my self and bike I vowed to pass that guy, and I did!

As I approached the Devil’s Drop section I caught a glimpse of the female competitor again coming up behind me and knew I had to hammer the drop and use the momentum to push thru the final grass section. I crossed the finish line in a time of 42mins and first in my age group by over eight minutes.

Can’t wait for the next mountain bike race- Ganny 2-4- here I come!