Waking up on Sunday morning...with mixed feelings about this love it/hate it race. I race for fun. I wasn't sure this was going to be much fun. For sure going to be the hardest Mansfield race ever.
I totally know for sure I can ride this race and get it done. When I first started racing just finishing in general was a huge accomplishment for me. Even just last season that was my main goal for 2 of the O Cup races.
At Buckwallow - 1st time - pre-rode & didn't race. Too scared. 2nd time - pre-rode & raced but hiked most of the big rock sections. Still scared. 3rd time - last summer - raced and cleaned ALL the big rocks. Not scared anymore but still careful. (especially because it was wet!) Did not care how I placed. Got it done as fast as I could and was totally proud.
At Duntroon - 1st time - did not pre-ride (very dumb). Just showed up to race & DNF'd - the course was tough! 2nd time - last season - no way I was going to not finish. Pre-rode lots & totally finished!
But now I don't want to just 'get it done'. I don't want to just 'go for a ride'...I want to race as hard as I can and leave everything I have out there which is what I've always done.... except now part of the fun for me involves racing the race instead of just riding the course. Which is all totally new to me.
Fun and exciting. And mental. So very mental.
My awesomely supportive husband was taking care of the kids breakfast, etc. while I got myself sorted out & out the door. Brekkie, coffee, bike, stuff, bye to the fam...drive up. Don't think so much just do it. Arrived. Parked.
In the 45 mins or so before the start I became calm because just arriving and being with my fellow mountain bikers I already started having fun. I love the people I ride and race with. I chatted with lots of the other girls racing with me and we all felt the same way about the course. Already I felt better. One girl in particular has been recovering from a serious injury and just getting back to racing again. Both of us were discussing how we were not in a hurry to race up the yucky start hill so we relaxed at the back. I shared my downhill switchback fear...she rocks technical so would have no problem on these...so our deal was if I could catch her I could follow her down. Awesome. If I'm up with her at that point I will be stoked because she is an amazing and fast rider. If not, I'll just carry on...
So funny thing the race started...and I started at the back of the pack. Spinning up - not killing it - but going strong - and passing people...cool...more people...cool...weird this awful start hill wasn't totally kicking my butt...staying calm pedalling strong & fast & thinking smooth thoughts (90 rpm thank you Zach!)...and ready to execute my little plan from pre-riding...PIN IT at the top!
Right there my whole race was awesome. I actually had gas in the tank to pop into big ring and pin it at the top of the big start climb! WAHOO! Such an awesome feeling!! Passed a couple more people, in & out of singletrack & double track, getting passed back too...and passing again (all this passing stuff is new to me too...so exciting I have to be calm...). Coolest part...all I'm thinking now is where is my switchback friend.
Aha! I caught up to her! Yes! And we are together on the snowmobile track wall hill...so I will be able to follow her down the switchbacks. Sweet. Next plan falling into place!
Down we go - turn, turn, turn, cool I'm riding them! Until someone a few bikes ahead (we are in a train of bikes going down) messes up and tips/stops so up the chain the stoppage goes...including me...oh well I made way more turns than I thought so totally happy. Hiking down...a bit to get back on. Can't clip in. A bunch of people pass me while I'm fooling with my pedals. Fooey. Missing my eggbeaters again. Riding the last couple and the bottom with free feet is freaky but I do it anyway to not get left too far behind!
Get down to the road still trying to clip in. Banging my shoes on my pedals...not very speedy...but got to get clipped in for all the climbing coming up - at least as far up as I can go!
Start in to the hiking hills. Up we go. Why did I bother worrying about being clipped in...I'm out pretty soon after...on the bike off the bike a couple times getting the hills done. All the time close with 4 other girls.
People are on the sides cheering & encouraging us and telling us the guys ahead were hiking these parts too. I wanted to thank them for this info but could not speak! Working too hard in the middle of a hike-a-bike race!
The 4 of us girls were totally close in speed. So new for me in the past I was mostly on course alone. The next lap felt like a blur. The same nasty hills, switchbacks, but with passing eachother back and forth, encourgaing eachother for a nice climb or whatever section (nice!). So much fun. The whole rest of the race we were together. Right up to the end. And I learned I need more gas for a stronger finish! They all got in just ahead of me - very cool to be in a close race. I was in front of our little group quite a few times but of course the only time that counts is at the finish. Nice job girls!
So the tally of Love it vs Hate it post race:
Hard and Fun = Love it wins!
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
O Cup #2 - Mansfield - the pre-ride story
Race report for Ontario Cup #2...Mansfield...
having fun and kicking butt (mostly mine) in Master Sport Women +40 category!
Usually (at least in my experience which isn't that long), Mansfield is our first race. The start climb is pretty big and is usually the worst part of the course since all the fun swoopy trails are on the top of the escarpment. So we go up, ride around, go down, repeat.
Not this year.
This year Mansfield is our 2nd race. And maybe since we have had extra time to prepare, this year they made a love it/hate it course. Like golf. One minute you hate it and are wondering why you are doing such a stupid annoying activity and just as suddenly it's all forgotten when you fall in love with a few swoopy fast fun turns heading down.
It all started at pre-ride. Saturday morning, the day before the race.
I headed up the start climb. The usual big wide slog of a hill with some sandy areas and rain ruts to watch for to not waste energy pedalling through, but generally the same deal as in the past.
I headed up the start climb. The usual big wide slog of a hill with some sandy areas and rain ruts to watch for to not waste energy pedalling through, but generally the same deal as in the past.
At the top, the course headed into a super fast 29er speed dream world. I know people complain about too much double track but this was pretty fun being able to ride as fast as you can without worrying about someone coming the other way, or walking their dog, etc. I felt like I was getting air cresting the hills and totally flying up with momentum. Soooo fun. So my plan was to have a little gas in the tank at the top of the start climb so I could just pin it immediately and hopefully pass all the tired riders at the top. The rest of this section following was pretty easy, really fast too...and went on for long enough I was starting to get suspicious...
Until I arrived at the wall. When you look waaaay up and all the way is so steep they put snowmobile tracks along the center and tons of footprints on the sides that is never a good sign. OK. Plan to ride up as far as I can without killing my legs, hop off and hike the top.
Then some new trail. Exit Wound it's called. Well I don't want one of those...so I carefully carefully squeaked down...on foot...hmmm Didn't want to crash with no one around to pluck me out of the trees so my plan was if I was riding behind someone who's skills I trusted...I'd follow them down...otherwise I'd just walk the too steep for Mommy parts. Need to work on my downhill switchback skills. Getting better but still not totally confident and because I am a control freak I need to be totally confident of my ability to ride something especially in a race. I know what I'm supposed to do...just actually being perched on the side of a hill freaks me out! And probably since I've fallen off the edge down into a zillion hurtful trees before, the memory of that does not help! If there are no trees I can totally do them. No prob. Duntroon has a couple on the front hill, and there were lots in Moab...all with no trees...
Anyway no prob, the new trail section is cool - need some bravery - should be ok.
Then down to the bottom, along the driveway....and....
Up up up up up up. More up. Too steep can't pedal anymore have to hike. Seriously? Gross. As I'm hike-a-biking I'm getting more upset with myself. What am I thinking? I thought my fitness wasn't too bad but this is terrible! I am even thinking I'm sorry I'm already signed up to race because I can't even ride this. I suck! And I am completely exhausted already and this is supposed to be an easy pre-ride lap...I might not go tomorrow...
Then...
I turn a corner on the totally evil hike-a-bike section...and see some people ahead.
Also hike-a-biking.
Immediately I feel better! As I catch up to them, they are suffering like me! I feel better again! I don't suck! I joined in their little group for a bit. Chatting, complaining, laughing, and hiking on...getting the nasty climbing done.
And then immediately the course goes back to fun fun fun... flowy trail...happy times again...back in love with mountain biking!
While in the middle of the last fun section a group of guys caught up to me. All decked out in matching race kits. Lookin very speedy. Asking to pass...basically wanting to get ahead before the next singletrack section to not get slowed down. Which is totally cool - they were completely friendly and nice too - all thanked me, etc.
They were a pretty big group - maybe 7 guys. Not all of them managed to get ahead of me in time for the trail to start. Now normally that would freak me out and I'd pull off immediately and let them all go by. I used to be much slower. I really didn't want to stop - or even worse - have to clip out fully...to let them by. After all that hiking I just didn't want be off my bike again. So I just joined in the middle of their line and rode on until the next double track section to let them by then. And I was glad I did! I had no problem to keep up with their social pre-riding (non racing) speed. Another boost of confidence! I don't suck again!
The pre-ride tally:
'Love it' wins. Though the 'hate it' section is large.. I won't be the only hike-a-biker out there so at least I won't be totally embarrassed!
Still wasn't totally excited to race on Sunday. Which is unusual for me. Yup - those hills are that hard!
Then some new trail. Exit Wound it's called. Well I don't want one of those...so I carefully carefully squeaked down...on foot...hmmm Didn't want to crash with no one around to pluck me out of the trees so my plan was if I was riding behind someone who's skills I trusted...I'd follow them down...otherwise I'd just walk the too steep for Mommy parts. Need to work on my downhill switchback skills. Getting better but still not totally confident and because I am a control freak I need to be totally confident of my ability to ride something especially in a race. I know what I'm supposed to do...just actually being perched on the side of a hill freaks me out! And probably since I've fallen off the edge down into a zillion hurtful trees before, the memory of that does not help! If there are no trees I can totally do them. No prob. Duntroon has a couple on the front hill, and there were lots in Moab...all with no trees...
Anyway no prob, the new trail section is cool - need some bravery - should be ok.
Then down to the bottom, along the driveway....and....
Up up up up up up. More up. Too steep can't pedal anymore have to hike. Seriously? Gross. As I'm hike-a-biking I'm getting more upset with myself. What am I thinking? I thought my fitness wasn't too bad but this is terrible! I am even thinking I'm sorry I'm already signed up to race because I can't even ride this. I suck! And I am completely exhausted already and this is supposed to be an easy pre-ride lap...I might not go tomorrow...
Then...
I turn a corner on the totally evil hike-a-bike section...and see some people ahead.
Also hike-a-biking.
Immediately I feel better! As I catch up to them, they are suffering like me! I feel better again! I don't suck! I joined in their little group for a bit. Chatting, complaining, laughing, and hiking on...getting the nasty climbing done.
And then immediately the course goes back to fun fun fun... flowy trail...happy times again...back in love with mountain biking!
While in the middle of the last fun section a group of guys caught up to me. All decked out in matching race kits. Lookin very speedy. Asking to pass...basically wanting to get ahead before the next singletrack section to not get slowed down. Which is totally cool - they were completely friendly and nice too - all thanked me, etc.
They were a pretty big group - maybe 7 guys. Not all of them managed to get ahead of me in time for the trail to start. Now normally that would freak me out and I'd pull off immediately and let them all go by. I used to be much slower. I really didn't want to stop - or even worse - have to clip out fully...to let them by. After all that hiking I just didn't want be off my bike again. So I just joined in the middle of their line and rode on until the next double track section to let them by then. And I was glad I did! I had no problem to keep up with their social pre-riding (non racing) speed. Another boost of confidence! I don't suck again!
The pre-ride tally:
'Love it' wins. Though the 'hate it' section is large.. I won't be the only hike-a-biker out there so at least I won't be totally embarrassed!
Still wasn't totally excited to race on Sunday. Which is unusual for me. Yup - those hills are that hard!
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Mmmmm buttertarts
Ya hoo the first summer long weekend!
On Saturday my hubby and I were able to get up to Buckwallow for our first ride together for 2013! (Thanks Mom for watching the kids!) Probably our most favourite place to ride and so so fun as always. Met up with some friends in the forest, visited a bit with Mike, rode lots while chatting all the way enjoying a mellow cottage country vibe...a great 'date' ride for us!
On Sunday - back to family and yard work...plus perfect weather for some early pool time!
Then holiday Monday...and a plan for a little morning ride - a mini 'Tour de King' through the woods across to Jane St. and the King Trails. A little gravel road, dirt road, road allowance and a couple loops of singletrack trail...
Then back again home - about 35km return and just in time for lunch and one of these...mmmmmm
On Saturday my hubby and I were able to get up to Buckwallow for our first ride together for 2013! (Thanks Mom for watching the kids!) Probably our most favourite place to ride and so so fun as always. Met up with some friends in the forest, visited a bit with Mike, rode lots while chatting all the way enjoying a mellow cottage country vibe...a great 'date' ride for us!
On Sunday - back to family and yard work...plus perfect weather for some early pool time!
Then holiday Monday...and a plan for a little morning ride - a mini 'Tour de King' through the woods across to Jane St. and the King Trails. A little gravel road, dirt road, road allowance and a couple loops of singletrack trail...
 |
| Beautiful 'short cut' through the thick Oak Ridges Moraine forest |
 |
| Birds sounded like Hunger Games...made me go fast! |
 |
| A couple fun laps in here |
Then back again home - about 35km return and just in time for lunch and one of these...mmmmmm
 |
Monday, 6 May 2013
April...waiting...
April waiting time...snow melting...frost leaving the ground...mud & mush to drying up...so while waiting to ride...
Zach held a party at the Trek Aurora store to get us all revved up and signed up for the King Weekly race series which runs Wednesday nights at the King trails (Centennial Park) from May until end of August. It's a really fun series - friendly people, fun riding & this series is the one that got me hooked back into riding! (visit www.racekingcity.ca for details)
Then there was another party...this time the Trek Women wine & cheese held at the Barrie store! Meeting lot of new people plus barely recognizing others well known (helmets would have helped!)...this party made me even more excited about the Trek Women events! I figure if we can have fun just standing around imagine how much fun we will have on our bikes! Ya hoo!
Then off to Hardwood for 2 days at the NCCP instructors course. Very cool learning how to teach riders all the important cycling skills. Also really interesting to learn different ways of teaching the same skill. I think my own riding improved just taking this course! Especially wheel lifts...I think we must have done 500 million of them!
And then to finish off the month...finally some FANTASTIC weather for the first O-Cup! (and a respectable 6th place finish...with a bonus goal accomplished...I did not get lapped by Barry Near & he's pretty fast!)
Zach held a party at the Trek Aurora store to get us all revved up and signed up for the King Weekly race series which runs Wednesday nights at the King trails (Centennial Park) from May until end of August. It's a really fun series - friendly people, fun riding & this series is the one that got me hooked back into riding! (visit www.racekingcity.ca for details)
Then there was another party...this time the Trek Women wine & cheese held at the Barrie store! Meeting lot of new people plus barely recognizing others well known (helmets would have helped!)...this party made me even more excited about the Trek Women events! I figure if we can have fun just standing around imagine how much fun we will have on our bikes! Ya hoo!
Then off to Hardwood for 2 days at the NCCP instructors course. Very cool learning how to teach riders all the important cycling skills. Also really interesting to learn different ways of teaching the same skill. I think my own riding improved just taking this course! Especially wheel lifts...I think we must have done 500 million of them!
And then to finish off the month...finally some FANTASTIC weather for the first O-Cup! (and a respectable 6th place finish...with a bonus goal accomplished...I did not get lapped by Barry Near & he's pretty fast!)
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