Well, That's Nats

It's a week of nothing but mountain bikes.  All ages.  It's fun to see how much we're different but yet really so alike. 

The down hill crowd isn't nearly as fit as the enduro or XC bunch.  Lots more tats and hair.

The enduro riders are in between.  Some look fit enough to ride up hill, some, not so much.  This type of competition looks to be growing.

The XC geeks are easy to spot.  Most are fit looking.  The juniors classes were over the top with 115 in the boys 15-16.  Lots of young girls racing also.  These classes bring out a huge number of spectators.  Lots of family in attendance.

There were 20 in my 60-65 class, the biggest master class of the day.

The gentleman who won the 80+ class was in Starbucks after his race downloading his stuff into Training Peaks.  How cool is that?  He said he hoped he had another 10-15 years of racing.  Now that's inspiring.

My Race

Oh well.  I got a second row call up.  Which I proceeded to ruin by getting elbowed by the dude next to me.  I came around the first turn towards the back of the pack.

We did the fingers section again.  It had rained the day before which made it even slicker.  There is no flow, only slick roots and black mud.  I fell once and ran most of the .6 miles both laps.  I'll complain here, the pros did a much shorter section of this stuff.  I rode theirs by accident on a practice day and almost cleaned it.  Anyhoo.

I clawed back up to the field on the climbs, passing a couple, only to get passed back in the fingers.

I rode more of the rock section than last year, so that's a positive.

I ended up getting pulled by 10 seconds, finishing 18/20.  Sigh.  If we had raced in Conyers......

I had a couple of beers for lunch and all was well.

Blake's Races

He entered three; 19-24 cat 1, U 23, and STXC.  

After getting a good start in the cat 1 race he crashed in..... you guessed it, the fingers section.  Twisting his stem and putting him near the back.  I don't remember where he finished but he burned some matches trying to get back on.

In the U 23 he had a tire go slack after burping it on a rock.  

The STXC was his best race.  However it was on Sunday so he was understandably tired.  Still he seemed to have had a good time.

Random Thoughts

USA Cycling does a mediocre job of running an event of this caliber.  Not many vendors.  Trail sucks (see above).  I feel like the cycling community is missing a great marketing possibility.  But what do I know?  I mean, 115 15-16 year old boys and their family's?  Talk about developing brand loyalty!

Snowshoe is a great place.  Good food, friendly people, beautiful scenery, cool temps.

Maybe because there's more money in it but moto, even at the amature level, does a MUCH better job.  Heck, even FTR had a better end of the year deal than this was.

I'll admit I wouldn't have gone if Blake didn't go.  Me racing in the wet roots of West Virginia is a stretch.  Having said that I did have a great time.  I already miss the place and all the races.  I wonder where it will be held next year?

Another One Bites the Dust

It's over for another year.  I'm sad it's done but glad I did it.  I won't do the 60+ next year.  At least right now I'm saying that.  No one to race with makes winning not as fun.  It looks like I caused less guys to come out and ride and not more.

Blake had a stand out year.  Earning the #3 plate for next season in SERC.  Who knows if he'll be around to race the series.  I think he enjoyed it and I hope he carries good memories of us all going to the races together.  I'm lucky to do this with my son, so many fathers don't participate in the sport and just go watch the race.  I know it's not for everybody but I think they are missing out on something.

Short Track

We got to Helen at 2, sign up was slow, the track wasn't well marked, and it started raining at 2:30.  A gully washer as my Mom calls them.  For some reason Dave had my wave going first so I didn't even get to make a practice lap, nor did I get warmed up.  I didn't need the points anyway, in fact I don't know why I signed Blake and I up.  The only rider in my class forgot the start time and didn't even ride.

It was slick and messy, I just rode it for a warm up for the XC.  Blake struggled also.  We felt like it was too wet to make a lap of the XC course so we headed to the lodge.

The Lodge

Unicoi was having some issues that rainy Saturday afternoon.  We couldn't get checked in till 7.  We tried to go to downtown Helen to get a bite to eat.  What a huge mistake that was.  The place was a zoo.  So back to the tavern at the lodge we went.  At least they comped us for the drinks and meal.

Race Day

It was clear and cool when we got up.  Blake and I were glad we had decided to do our practice lap that morning.    It was still slick but not near as bad as the ST yesterday.  Somehow I managed to slip on the first hard climb and bust my ass.  Nothing damaged but my confidence.

Blake's race was stacked with pros getting ready for nationals.  He finished a respectable 9 out of 22.

I rode a good race, easily beating the 2 other riders in my class.  I was disappointed in my leg strength at the top of the steepest climbs.  My second lap was 3 minutes slower than my first.  But it was a fun course.  I lose time on the descents.  I just can't let go of the brakes.  The woods were dark and I was having trouble seeing.  I should practice before next season.

The Banquet

Not a big deal for me.  Blake was pumped for his first podiums in elites.  It was anti climatic as far as my racing was concerned.  I got some stuff.  Once again I was a little sad it was over.

I enjoy the lodge on the Sunday after it's all over.  Most folks are gone and we have the place almost to ourselves.  Blake and I watched UCI races on his lap top then went to the tavern for pizza.  It was a good day.

Nats

We leave this Sunday.  Weather looks grim.  I am less than pumped.  I'll be glad to not be doing these again next year.  I know better than to talk to my self like this but it's the place I'm in right now.  I will turn my head around before we go.  It's a lot of money to spend and not enjoy it.

If I can just take it moment by moment and not get caught up in the future thinking I'll be all right.  And sometimes if you expect the worst you end up having a great time.  See, that's the way to think!

Almost There

This is the end, my only friend the end. 

Both SERC and GSC final race is this weekend in Helen Ga.  It starts with a SERC short track Saturday evening with the combined XC race Sunday.  The way Gone Riding runs this is you have to finish this race to complete the season.  That makes it a little sketch.  I am in the lead in both series so all I need to do is finish.  But this is bike racing so I never know what might happen.

That being said I'm looking forward to this weekend.  I'm healthy and in good shape.  I haven't been on my race bike for almost a month due to repairs but I think I can adapt quickly. 

Speaking of those repairs it's gonna cost me $1000.  Add that to me buying a new bike (which I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have been riding this past month), this race, nats, and vacation, and you have a pretty big pile of money going out.  I have managed to sell a couple of bikes but they never bring the money I think they will.  These things are almost disposable, sad.

Then there's Blake's school, plus stuff that needs fixing at the house, not to mention my retirement.  Will it all work out?  We haven't gone hungry yet.

Nationals

We travel the following week to West Virginia.  I look forward to this with some trepidation.  Fortunately I have a better idea what I'll be up against than I did last year.  I believe I have better leg strength this year, however my tech skills are at about the same level.  I will be more focused on what I can ride and not worry about what I can't.  I will be happy with a top 10, but that will mean shaving 15 minutes off my time from last year.  That's a lofty goal.

Blake is riding three races.  He's in good shape and has a great bike under him.  He will be racing the best in the country.  I'm super proud of him for doing this work.  His diet is going great and he has a good attitude about all this. 

After

The Lovely Wife has the summer off and is looking for a different job.  

I'm considering doing the Florida XC series.

It will be hard not to follow a training plan for a couple of weeks.

I have a lot of stuff to do around the house after all this racing is over.

My training partner is having surgery to repair his gut.  He'll be out for a while.  I hope he can come back strong.

I'm looking forward to some time at the beach?