The trek to the east coast is never easy, but it brought us to a new venue this year prior to Natty's. Emily and I flew into Albany and picked up some 'hitchhikers' in the airport in our sweet minivan. Barry Wicks needed a ride and a junior expert was looking up the greyhound schedule, so we took pity and crammed us all in. We arrived at our 'home' for the weekend and were greeted by Steve & Nancy at Kelly Acres. It was great and quite a group there. Friday we rode the course. Super sweet course built just for this race. Check it out.
Race Day #1: Saturday, XC
It was HOT and about 95% humidity and race time was at 11. The suffering was about to begin. I was further back than normal due to skipping Deer Valley, but after the bottle neck of singletrack, it was a lot of climbing, so I knew it would work itself out. Emily caught me and told me to get my ass in gear. I tried. I suffered. It was hot, but I kept climbing my way forward and by the third lap, I felt a bit better. Just getting the legs back under me after the BC bike race. I ended up 15th. I will take it. (photo by Dave McElwaine)
Race Day #2: Sunday, Short Track & Super D
It was a rainy a.m., but by the time race time rolled around, it was just a bit sticky. Not as hot as the day prior, so it was good. My call up for short track was also not as good as usual, but oh well. It was a climb and the group seemed smaller, but they were short laps. I found myself moving forward and finding the lead group. And this time, I stuck with it. As people dropped off on the climb, I went around and stayed with them. With 3 to go, Emily Batty clipped my front wheel and I went into the tape, but I did catch back on, but then with 2 to go, I got popped on one of the hills and dangled off the back by 10 meters. I finished my best ever finish in 8th place. It was good to feel the legs coming back and being able to stick with the lead group. A good sign.
And then there was super D. I debated whether to do it, b/c it scared me and I didn't want to get hurt. But then I figured, I can just ride it and not race it and still do fine. I had already paid for it. So, with the high still from short track, I did one pre-ride and then went to the top to start. I was starving. Oops, forgot to eat. But I survived and although I did not ride fast, I didn't crash and I finished 6th. Did I mention that was last? Oh yeah. That. At least I was smiling...
Chillin' post race back at the ranch. Awesome porch!
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