I haven't had time to write, except for stupid short anecdotes on the FB. Since August I have been fighting a damn sinus issue. Up and down. Up and down. Cross season wasn't a total bust, I had some good races and rough weather, every race, a proper cross season. I race on one gear all fall.
In January, I had decided not to race for the year until cross, that was short lived as the sinuses came around, back feeling strong, and legs in some kind of form. Last weekend I was coming off of a long run of antibiotics for the "too many times" since August. I caught a cold and by Friday, I was pre-riding the course at BCP and was cooked in 30 mins. It was windy in the 30's and wrong today.
I woke up early Saturday and made my case. I took some meds and my inhaler and said "fuck it", I am racing today. In the two headed eagIe War Axe kit, I set out and got in a good warm up. I know these trails well at the BCP. I know them well on the single speed. 32x20, 32x18, 32x17, 36x18, 36x17, 36x20, drop bars, H-bars, straight bars, riser bars, 29x2.3, 700x42, 700x28, 700x32, 700x35. Snow, rain, mud,wind, heat and dust. I have ridden the Surly set up in so many ways on these trails, they are like a old drinking buddy. I came to binge.
32x18, Risers, 29x2.3 - Proper Mtn Bike set up.
I entered the Single Speed class for a 3 mile circuit race. 4 laps, 4 hills per lap = 12 miles of up and down with wind. Colorado's single speed class is a spectrum of racers, ex-pros, SS die hards, and masters changing it up, and weekend warriors.
I had a good start. I was with the leaders and stayed with the selection until a crash I got wrapped up in. I pulled my bike off of the crash heap and with a broken spoke, continued. Sitting now about 8th or 9th. I rode steady, even and smart. On the last lap I was in 5th. I bridged up to 4th and gave him a run for his money. I came up short. But happy. I was only 20 seconds off the podium as I could see 3rd finishing.
Racing is an addiction. I still am feeling the high of just being in the race.
I hope to throw a leg over the top tube of the road bike Sunday for the Boulder Roubaix. The doctor asked today, as she wrote my 5th Rx, in 7 months, "are you racing Sunday?" She wasn't opposed to it...
I couldn't say, but I know the answer...
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