Flying Solo

Stop number 5 in the MBAA series was this weekend up in Prescott. Temperatures were a little chillier than expected. Some overnight campers were caught off guard by snow the night before the race.

I drove to the race by myself, which was a first for a MTB race and it helped me realize how much Norma helps me, especially on race day.

I made it to the Alto Pit at around 9:30 AM and it was 42 degrees. I put all the layers I had on and went to check-in. Our friends James and Katia were taking care of hungry riders and families by bringing Pony Espresso to the venue. Great wraps and even better coffee. Thank you guys for coming over. I am sure I wasn't the only satisfied customer.

After a little chat with just about everyone, I figured it was time to jump on the trainer. Unfortunately, that's when I realized I hadn't prepared my bottles. Getting bottles ready took a while and then I had to label them so someone could hand them off to me. That someone had to be determined too.

I made to the start line after cutting the warm-up a little short. I had the cooler with me and the first person I saw was James. I knew he was busy with the Pony Espresso, but I asked him to find someone to feed me then grabbed a bottle. As it turns out I grabbed the bottle with Coca-Cola that I usually take on the last lap. 60 seconds to start and I can't find my cooler so I am about to start a race with a bottle of diluted Coke. 15 seconds to go and James walks by. I grabbed a new bottle just on time for gooooo!. I was in my small ring, so I punished my drive gear to move to the front. I made it into the bottle neck in 3rd wheel behind Tim Allen and Scott Keller. Keller got around Tim and so did I. We stayed like that for a few minutes then I attacked before the steepest section of the climb. I managed to move to the front and led the race for good 'ol 30 seconds before Keller and Tim went around me. We cruised on the downhill and Eric Salstrand went around me. I am feeling tired and spent and we are not even half way into first lap. I backed off a little then Lance and Tim Bolton go by. I finished the first lap in 6th. On the next climb Kam Reedy comes by too and not to long after Jason Sager passed my too. I am getting concerned then my legs finally start to cooperate and I stay with Kam and we pass Sager.

We get to the bottom of the hill and pass Salstrand on the side fixing a flat. Bummer!

Now I am back on 6th then my handlebars come loose again. I rode the rest of the lap like that but I am loosing ground on Kam on the downhills. We head into the 3rd lap together but he gaps me on the downhill. There is no other option. I stopped, got my tools out and retighten the bars. Sager goes by. 60 to 90 seconds -that felt like 10 min- go by and I am back in business. I passed Sager but Kam is nowhere near. I rode the whole 4th lap by myself and I am starting to feel a lot better, however I am ready to settle for 6th. I head out for my 5th lap and Darrin tells me someone is not too far. I get some motivation and make it to the top but can't see anyone. Near the last long climb of the lap I get a glimpse of a rider. Is Tim Bolton and he seems to be hurting. I get on his wheel on the steep climb then pass him at the top. To avoid giving him a free ride I push the pace even though I am at the limit. I looked back and he's no longer there then I look up ahead to find Tim Allen struggling. I snuck up to him by no using my rear break (as it makes noise) and we both hit the last short steep climb to the finish. He goes left I went right and I moved into 4th. There is no response from Tim but he comes in on 5th to round up the podium.

The real story is that he was sick as a dog and his body shut down on the last lap. Hope he gets better soon. Keller held on for the win from Lance while Kam came in a few seconds later.

Here is a podium picture, sans Tim Allen who wasn't feeling good and left early.

Now it comes a little break from the fat tires to give time for some skinny tire action this weekend at the Copper Valley Road Race that Procon is promoting. I'll be volunteering first then jumping on the bike to do some work for the team. I re-taped my handlebars on Sunday because my palms were really hurting after long road rides. I got double tape on the most used areas and went for a ride. It feels soooo much better.
Until next time....