Bump & Grind 2009

The Setup

Even with all the rain the course was still good. The bottom half of the big climb was a little muddy and extra rocky. I guess all the rain had washed the dirt out from between the rocks exposing them more. All the culverts were full of water which had my drivetrain dry by the end. I even used the wet lube.

Saturday I managed to burp the rear racing ralph evo double defense on my mavic rim. This had a bad effect on my descending. It got into my head. I now know that the combo of standard tire bead on a ust rim is not a good combo and is prone to burp. I’ll be on stans rims next year.

The Race

A win is always good but it was still an off day for me. I wasn’t able to find that elusive feeling of invincibility.

I started racing 19-29 at this race last year because the way they start the waves it can be frustrating as a 35-39 racer trying to work through the 19-29 and 30-34 who start ahead of you. In 07 I raced my class and couldn’t believe how quickly I was catching the waves in front. Ended up catching all but 3 of the racers who started ahead of me. So last year I decided to race 19-29 so I could have a clear track. It worked, I had more fun even though I got 2nd and could have finished 1st in my age group. Didn’t matter though cause I’d rather
have fun. There’s also more payout in 19-29 though the money for 2nd in 19-29 is equal to 1st in 35-39.

The start was kinda slow. After getting into the woods I really wished I had gotten the holeshot. Then about halfway into the first section of singletrack I had a tachy event. It wasn’t to bad because the pace was low but as soon as we got to the first doubletrack I tried to attack and take the lead which pretty much caused my legs to shutdown so I pulled over, got off and assumed the position. I was kind of worried the 30-34 would come up on me but luckily they didn’t. Got back on and worked back up into 2nd by the top of the climb.

I tip-toed the descent after blood rock. All I could think about was not burping my tire. Andy and Shawn caught me from 30-34 at the bottom. Very disappointed. One of my goals was not to get caught by Andy. I snapped out of it and began having fun riding with them. I started wondering if I should have just raced 30-34. I wonder if enthusiasm for my opponents would make up for lapped traffic. I rode with Andy and Shawn til we began the 2nd lap. At that point I left them to fight it out and rode off to catch 1st in my class.

At the base of the climb I could see 1st. Even from so far away I could tell he was hurting. He was all over his bike standing and fighting with it. Wasn’t long before I caught him and left him behind. I was feeling good and felt fast. I still thought I might be able to get into the 2:18’s. Then I get another event descending after blood rock. MOTHER TRUCKER!! I was pissed off! Really super pissed. The dumb ass in me thought I could just ride it out. I’m doing the breathing exercise and the carotid sinus message to get it to go way before I get to the smaller climbs towards the end. No dice. I’m crawling up the climb just barely going faster than the sport women I’m catching. So I say FARK IT! Get off and assume the position. Several of the sport women go by and the mother trucker won’t stop. Seemed like it took forever. It finally stopped and I ride it on in with a sour feeling. Shawn and Nathan Sibley come by racing for the finish.

I’m generally optimistic and positive person but this was too much. I had nothing but negative thoughts. I knew for sure I wasn’t going to race again until I get this ticker fixed… again. I was pissed at the doctor for not getting it fixed the first time. I was pissed off at everything.

I took two weeks off after the race. Didn’t have much motivation.

So after writing all those strong feelings about this situation seems I’d have come right home and called the doctor but I haven’t. WTF?! I don’t know. I’m a big pansy. I’m going to call next week.