Sunday Aug 12...
This was the first in the Derailer Series races. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to race this event. We spent all day Saturday at Roanoke County's Summer Blast event hosting kid's races...it was hot & dry...being out in it all day tends to sap your energy. Anyway, Ron & Skippy convinced us to race.
We headed down to Franklin County's Waid Park. The folks down here do a great job putting on this race...There's always a ton of volunteers & things seem really well organized.
Got registered for the series & did the whole pre race routine (food, drink, bathroom, warm up, more drink, bathroom, good to go!)
The field seemed much smaller than in previous years. This year I moved up classes to Expert. I'd have to do 3 laps instead of 2. I was up for it. We lined up at the start & there was only one other female in my division. She raced at Mountain Lake in the spring and I remember she was a really strong rider. I wasn't out to prove anything today..just wanted to get a good ride in with little mistakes. The starting horn went off & the pack flew off the line. The first part of the race climbs up this grassy hill..total pain. Everyone was gone. I tried to keep the other female in my sights but she was waaay strong. Oh well..time to sit in & do my thing.
I rode steady..I didn't feel strong but I didn't feel weak either. I knew this course from previous years and knew I needed to conserve at least for the first lap or so....as long as I kept the other expert chicky in my sights, I had nothing to worry about. As I descended down the gravel road to the first creek/river crossing, Skippy & Gordo passed me on their single speeds. They were flying...I just stayed in my steady pace & kept on going. I attempted to ride the creek crossing but ended up drifting away from my chosen line & finally had to dismount & run through it. Back on the bike, up the cornfields to the first hill! I managed to ride this hill with no problem. other expert chicky walked it..I thought it was strange for her to be walking so early but maybe she was conserving too. On we rode.
This course was really hard to get a rhythm going. Once you climbed, you descend a little, only to have to climb again. I kept riding keeping her in my sight....as we approached the 2nd river crossing, I caught up to her. We both looked at each other and asked.."are you gonna ride it?" "I'm not gonna ride it"....we pushed across. The river was much lower this year..only up to my hips rather than my stomach. Many guys were riding it this year...even the mud on the banks was negotiable....As we crossed the river, we remounted and I took the lead for the second half of the first lap. She stayed with me....I walked the rest of the climbs to try & conserve...many of them I realized I could walk/jog the cimbs quicker than I could ride them.
Second lap was much the same as the first.. expert chicky stayed w/ me....after the 2nd river crossing, I noticed I was starting to gap from her..I think I was making up ground on the descents. I rode the full suspension bike for the race..this bike just holds the lines on the descents and I am able to hammer on them. I rode hard the 2nd half of my second lap continuing to try to distance myself....I still ran the climbs. I passed a couple of beginners & shouted some encouragement to them....
The third lap was uneventful as well. I tried to ride the first creek crossing again, only to drift off line & have to dismount....I could not figure out this stupid creek. pedaled on up the first climb..continued on. I did not want to look back b/c I was afraid she would be right with me...so I kept my focus on the remainder of the course ahead.
I tried to ride as hard as I could on the descent to the finish line...hoping not to flat.My legs were starting to tighten but I continued to pedal hard. I threw a look back over my shoulder just to see..but there was no one back there. I cruised on to the finish line completing the race in 1hour 42 minutes & some change.
During the post race meal they had a raffle...I heard my name called..I got a nice gift cert to REI...sweet! I never win raffles or door prizes so this was a nice surprise.
They did the awards & I finished close to 10 minutes ahead of the other chicky...I asked her what happened...she said she blew up....It could have been the heat & the fact you're constantly pedaling on this course.
They did one final award...best overall male & female...I won that award (for the female) as well as some cash..totally unexpected!.... It turned out to be a productive race....got an award, got some dough & got a door prize...& to think..I wasn't even going to race 24 hours prior. Yeah!
Up next..18 hours on the farm race... I'm in a 4 person team Our name is 3 and P....It will be interesting!
