I decided not to go for a fast start, as I have become known for in cyclocross and see how things played out. I was six riders off the front when the rider to my left collided with me and took me down, before the first corner of the race.
I literally exploded into the ground with the rest of the pack pilling on for good measure. My Garmin I later discovered went one way and my glasses the other. After a few choice and less than friendly words with my new best friend, I got back in the race having been passed by a least two other Cat 1 categories.
Shaken, angry and stuck behind a parade was not how I had envisioned my very first mountain bike race. But there it was, and I had two choices, quit or suck it up. Like, I was going to quit. I put my head down, figuratively speaking, least I ended up in a bush and got down to business.
I passed my new friend in the first lap, after he had crashed again. Then minutes later as I tried to pass a slower rider the gap he opened closed. Again I found myself in the bushes as "Sorry" echoed back from him. As I got back on the trail, I heard "Sorry for taking you down earlier", from behind. Me too I thought but let him know it was OK.
Now a note on padding, you will notice from the pictures that I am wearing padding. Since my major accident and as a result of one too many smaller crashes, the pads have become a must have piece of MTB kit. Today they earned there keep as I am sure I would be even more banded up had I not been wearing them. That said the elbow pads need some further thought. Either I have to get a smaller size or build bigger guns. Hmmm, just a hunch but a smaller size might be easier to achieve . Had they fitted, my left elbow would not be throbbing so much.
Having cleaned up my wounds I am thankful it was not as bad as it could have been. I am going to be sore for the next few days, but a least tomorrow is a rest day.
Oh and I totally forgot my cameras, so regrettably there is no footage of the race. Here is a short clip of the trails from the recon ride, the day before with my friend and great riding buddy.
What I learned about XC Mountain Bike Racing
Final Result: Cat 1 - 35 - 49 (15th of 21) - Overall Cat 1 position 47th of 68.
Until next time keep it rubber side down and Max Life Out
No comments:
Post a Comment