Commonwealth Games Race Report

Carvins Cove…Sunday, July 15

Today was going to be a big test for me…it was my first single speed race ever! I tried to stay hydrated all week and rested as much as I could the day prior to the race. The morning of the race I was a bag full of nerves. I couldn’t figure out why I was so nervous…it’s my “home” course, I’ve ridden the trails tons of times, I was probably going to be the only single speed female so all I needed to do was finish.

I thought the nerves would go away during my warm up but they never subsided. I ventured out on the road and immediately noticed something was not quite right with the bike. I thought it was an underinflated tire…checked the tires..everything was ok. I rode a little further and discovered my fork had completely lost all of it’s air! Oh Crap….I spun back to the parking lot & had my hubby do a little last minute maintenance. We got it re-inflated so off I went to finish the warm up. The weather was quite toasty..high humidity and temps near 90 degrees.

I came back to the starting area where we waited for 10 minutes while the experts were escorted down the road in the neutral start. The nerves were still there & I was not having a good feeling about things. I knew I had to pace myself because I’d have to ascend the 1000’ climb in 1 gear….the “pace car” came back & off we went. I hung with the group for most of the way but I had to spin myself silly to do it. About 500 yards from the entrance to the Cove, the group got away from me. I was killing myself trying to keep up so I decided to let up a bit to save some energy.

Through the gate, onto the fireroad and hard left onto Songbird. I kept 5 riders in my sites through Songbird. I absolutely love this trail. It’s not too hard and has a good flow to it. I zipped through all the downhill sections, and came out on the fireroad to make the hard right to continue down to Tuckaway. I got really confused because I thought the trailhead would come up quicker than it did….In fact, I turned around & pedaled back about 20 yards before I turned back around to get my bearings. The worst part is I helped mark the course so I should have known where this turn was. I pedaled in the correct direction & saw a couple riders up ahead turn down Tuckaway. I thought I could still hang with them so no worries. Through Tuckaway to lower Comet. I was flying through lower Comet..starting to feel ok when all of the sudden WHAM! Somehow my handlebars clipped a tree and I went slamming hard into the ground. It happened so fast that I was still clipped into the bike. I landed hard on my left knee & shoulder. It took me a minute to get clipped out of the bike. I had to be careful with my shoulder because I hit the ground with such force I was scared I may have done some serious damage. I moved my arm & it felt sore but not broken. I got back on the bike but had bllood dripping from my knee & I was feeling a little dizzy (I think I hit my head but I’m not sure)…

I came through to the fireroad. Donny & my hubby were cheering for me…I was laughing at my crash & they said I wasn’t far behind . On to the dreaded 1000’ climb. As I started the climb I was feeling a bit tired and overheated. I tried to keep drinking all the way up. Out of the saddle, in the saddle,,,on I trudged. I saw 2 sport guys just up ahead..I pedaled on but I did not feel strong. I think the early morning nerves & the recent crash were sapping my energy..not to mention the heat. Tuesday when I prerode, I was much stronger….I caught one of the sport guys & asked him if he wanted to trade bikes….he said “no deal”…rats!!...On I went…I almost caught the second rider as we entered the trailhead for Hemlock Tunnel (aka Clownhead)…The top of this trail is loose and rocky & full of ruts. I was proud of myself because I rode most of the top. I only had to walk about 20 feet or so. Down the steep section, through the lower woods. My legs felt heavy…like I could never really get them going. Almost to the end of Clownhead, I had another crash. Somehow a giant stick got caught between my fork & front wheel & slammed me to the ground..this time on the other side. Ouch!! I sat there for a good minute, frustrated at my ride and puzzled how this stick ended up in my wheel. I hopped back on the bike but I could tell the rest of the race would be a struggle to just finish.

I turned up the road to head towards Comet. There’s a wicked climb along this road which I had to walk. I turned down Comet & descended. I rode this very clean. As I continued to plod on all I could think about was laying down and taking a nap…right there on the trail! I was sooo drained. I tried taking in my gel..but it never kicked in.
I just could not get it going today. The heat was getting to me to. I kept drinking. I did not want to have another Danville incident (heat exhaustion) I continued on, remembering the spot I crashed on the first lap & took care to stay away from that tree!

Back to the fireroad & up the 1000’ climb for the second time. I had to walk about 100 yards towards the top because I was just exhausted. I was dizzy & my head was pounding. I wasn’t having fun & contemplated quitting altogether. I stopped at the trailhead for the Four Gorge (connector trail) and drank some water. I just wanted to get it over with at this point. I hopped back on the bike & rode Four Gorge. There were spots I was walking because I had nothing left in my legs. I came to the bridge crossing where Smiley & Brian were doing bike passing duty. As I rode away I heard hammering..Brian was also doing bridge work!! Too funny! On to Hi Dee Ho for the last descent. I think this was the fastest part of my race…I passed my buddy Jen (who got a gold for beginner women –CHICKYs ROCK!) I muttered something about the race not going so well…finally to the finish. My clock had my ride time at 2:04:00 the timers had it at 2:07:00…must have started early from the gate or something. AWFUL.. I was sooo disappointed…I really wanted to do better than this but it was not my day. I was thankful to just finish. Heat & racing are not a good combination for me.

I went back to the vehicle & stretched. My buddy Jen came over & tended to my wounds..my hand was tender from the fall so she hooked me up w/ some ice. She also took a pic of my bloody knee for posterity reasons (I think)….ewwwww. Thanks to El Toreo for hooking us up with some wonderful food..thanks to all the volunteers who put in a lot of effort in getting the course marked & ready to and for cheering us on. I medaled but it was only by default….there were no other chickys crazy enough to go out there on a Single Speed. Oh well, at least I can say I did it!....