Alright...racing. So, of course my bike had its usual night-before technical issues. The carbon steerer finally cracked through the stem clamp area. If it wasn't unsafe before, it certainly was after that. So, the other fork went on and miraculously did not make the popping sound that inspired the purchase of the second one. With the old fork being longer, I was worried about my flow on a more raked-out setup. Still, it ended up working out just fine due to the added stability.
Saturday was an early morning. I was rolling by 6:30am. I pulled up to freezing drizzle and very cold temps. Of course it had poured all night to make the course nice and sloppy. Preriding the course, I was disappointed. It was flat and chattery, just like UNH. Lining up this time was different than times past. Preparing everything during the week this time was different. My mind was elsewhere. For the past 6 weeks, the ECCC MTB series has been my focus and life. The championships should have brought the penultimate focus. Its funny how one little lady can really shift one's mind. Still, in a certain way it was good. I was not as nervous, and as soon as Joe Kopena yelled go, my raceface was on. I felt comfortable pinning it, and I was right there with very fast guys. A UVM rider Derek and I worked together for the first lap. The flat section turned out to be fine because it was so slick with so many sharp turns that my technical skills were a huge asset. The second 2/3's of each lap turned out to be far more technical with lots of climbing, nothing sustained, though. And the technical stuff was super fun. There were tons of downhill, banked switchbacks where my Colorado riding experience paid off bigtime. In the mud and muck, drifting the bike was the ideal technique. It was almost like I was back at Buff creek...except for the pain level. After we came through from the first lap at 52 minutes, I knew that I had to back it off a bit. We were going to be out for a long time. After another rider came along during the second lap and started spewing manrage BS, I attacked and kept attacking. I was picking off riders the whole third lap. Overall, I'm very pleased with my performance. I think that I was probably top 20 or so, but I decidedly beat riders that have beaten me in the past. I felt fast, and I felt like I gave it a lot of juice, especially for a race over 2.5 hours.
As I was driving away, I felt reflective, good, and dead. 6 months ago when I was still recovering, I made up my mind that I would train for and race in every collegiate MTB that I could. And I did just that. I'm a more experienced racer now. I'm more level-headed now. I'm way faster now. I know my strengths and weaknesses now. But most importantly, completing that goal that was set at the beginning of this healing process makes me feel strong. It makes me feel ready for these forthcoming transitions. It makes me feel like I've made the most of this time.
So...the bike. In case you didn't know, racing a mtn bike destroys it. And racing a mtn bike in the fall in New England decimates it. My fresh powdercoat has been worn off from so many hours in the mud. I've got two broken forks. My headset sounds like it is made of sand. My previously brand new wheelset is headed back to Montana for warranty claims on the hubs and a total rebuild. Yes friends, its time for a new bike. Mine is very unhappy. The Dartmouth team just got sponsored by Giant through the new local shop. I had looked at the all aluminum XTC 29er, but wasn't real happy with the features. It wasn't singlespeedable. Full aluminum? Meh. Well, this weekend, their new 2010 29er appeared. Its exactly what I want. Carbon top tube and seat stays. Sliding dropouts. Fully removable dropouts for belt drive! Short, short chainstays, Big stiff, fatty downtube. And I'll finally get my plush fox fork. My hands are already singing with joy. I'm stoked...its a hell of a pro deal, and I'll have a proper racing 29er now.
Saturday night was a tough one. Begem and Kolene fed me, but my body was simply too amped and destroyed to sleep. My eyes were red. My face was flush. My heart was racing. I woke up 3 separate times to eat. Still yesterday, I managed to get in a wonderful ride with a new Freshman on the team, Matt. See below for the ride report and pictures.
My fellow cyclists-
For those of you who still doubt the magic that is Dartmouth cycling and for those of you who spent today holed up inside studying, I present this opportunity. Come on this literary journey and live vicariously through Matt and me. Again today we fell to our knees before the Pomfret Gods, and again our groveling was rewarded. Interestingly, the perfect summer ride is also the perfect fall ride, sans swimming in the CT river of course.
Matt and I headed out bromance style, wondering if we had dressed appropriately for a challenging day. It was warm in the sun, straight up cold in the shade, and windy at best. Still, all concerns about temperature faded into the background as soon as we crested Jericho. Blue skies and fast, technical descents became our world. The blustery air made cornering an exercise in random shoving from mother nature. How could we be upset with her, though? The day...oh...the day. It was, dare I say, orgasmically beautiful. I admit that the "racing red" lenses of my Rudy's exaggerated the effect, but the light was absolutely amber with fall.
As usual, the pomfret rd climb was perfect. Those gentle curves, those slight rises, the perfect proportions. As far as climbs go, she's the perfect lover. And I've yet to find a climb that finishes with such a phenomenal climax. As we exited the cover of the trees, our tempo efforts were rewarded with the biggest sky that New England has to offer. And today that sky was framed with a brilliant cacophony of reds and yellows. Matt and I savored our connections with Mother Nature by methods fitting to our personalities. In a testament to wisdom beyond his years, Matt quietly enjoyed. I, of course, spewed my every feeling and emotion.
Apparently, Cloudland road is not only a favorite of Michael Rea, directeur sportif, but also a favorite of the many leaf peepers. Still, the road and views were no less beautiful, and we were able to revel in the fact that we were clearly utilizing the best means to see the foliage. River road maintained its usual split personality of pavement-like dirt interspersed with the occasional nasty set of repeated maneaters. The water was as clear as summer. From its appearance, one would have thought just as warm too. The aforementioned blustery winds took the leaves on balletic tours of the road in front of us. Yes, as if we could forget, it is fall, and fall is beautiful.
Shepherd's Pie offered baked goods and a rest in the sun. I opted for baklava; Matt for a raspberry-chocolate chip muffin. We cruised home via Old Quechee and Christian, all the while shaky from sugar highs. Wow...what a ride.
Friends please, get out and do some riding during this next week. The temps will soon fall, and the metallic din of rollers will do nothing for the soul like a New England fall.
~Benny
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