Finish first semester of graduate classes on a high note. Check.
Put bike racing on the back burner for the spring in favor is school and a ski trip. Check.
Have many miles in my legs. Check.
Find a new way to make this whole thing harder. Check.
Motivation to race has been low. Motivation to ride has be very high. Hobbled together a new frankenbike that has been getting alot of my attention recently. Take a Surly 1x1, slap on a front disc brake, find some low profile 29er tires, put on a fairly stiff geared fixed cog. The result is my new to me MTB fixed gear machine. Not the best use of this wonderful frame, but boy is it fun.
Fast forward to the morning of the 18th, first race of the year at Catamount Outdoor Center here in the Burlington area. My lady was going to race, and so should I. See all the bike people I miss from the long winter of skiing.
Signed up for the single speed race on the fixed gear demon. At the start no one else had registered, so I bump myself up to the 4 lap open race. Loads of fast people, a handful of single speeds. Line up dead last as I know I will be lagging today.
Start.
Spin spin spin.
First climb, short steep, turn the 34x17 over as fast as possible, pass many as a result.
Saying hi, words of encouragement. I am know at Catamount to be one who constantly talking during the race.
First downhill; open, fast, washboards at the bottom. Hold on for dear life as to not get bucked off.
Get passed by many.
Find my place, lead my group into the singletrack, followed by another Bikeman.com person???
Get in a great group of kids on the local development team, have fun teaching them about racing, and sportsmanship.
Lose the sprint at the end to one of the mop haired youngsters. Congratulate him on his sprint and tactics after the race.
Hopefully will use that tactic down the road as well.
Lose myself in racing. Enjoying it for what it is, a chance to push your own limits no matter what they be.
Many old and new faces out there.
That motivation to race and be out with others is back! Even though I will most likely be racing the fixie many more days this year.
The kicker, finished 8 minuted back from the 4 lap winner.
Monday, May 19, 2008
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