Race Update: MT Alpha Meets Northeast Riding

Hello from the right coast!

A whole-hearted THANKS to MT Alpha for introducing me to mountain biking last summer – you ladies are the gold that got me hooked!

So here I am, in NH (where I was born and raised), and much like Heidi, I’m going to physician assistant school. I’m no good at sitting around studying all day long, so biking is a nice little outlet to channel some energy to my brain before buckling down to study for a few hours.. or napping.. one or the other. But that’s beside the point. First, let me give you my objective run down on NH vs. Zootown riding:

Zootown Funtown	NH
Dusty and dry	Damp and humid
Watch for mountain lions and bears	Watch for peepers, chipmunks, squirrels and ticks
Bear spray	Bug spray
Inhalation of dust from the person in front of you	Inhalation of skeeters and black flies from the cloud that surrounds you
Suspension locked out on uphill	Suspension unlocked. All the time.
Most have hard tails	Most have full suspension

And for the visual people: 

Now, let’s chat (or rather, let me monologue) about my first ever MTB race! I entered into the Pats Peak XC in Henniker, NH, which is a full weekend event of downhill, 6, 12 and 24- hour races, and an XC. I chose this race as my first one for more of a nostalgic moment. I grew up skiing at “Pat’s” since I was 3; Pat’s is in my blood. It holds a sentimental place in my heart and I consider it my home ski hill, so I thought it would ease my nerves a bit knowing the mountain. 

Notice the emphasis on “thought.”

Power Section -
behind me was a bridge with a rough root secton

I went up to ride the course before race day and quickly realized I didn’t know the mountain very well without snow cover, which caused a flow of words I won’t repeat here to shield the eyes of the kiddos. But seriously. What the H! I had to walk almost ½ of the course! It was the most technical trail I’d ever been on. Rocky, rooty, semi-muddy, bridges, drops, step ups, rock walls, more roots and rocks. What did I get myself into? 

Up and Over With a little Air

I saw a couple of guys on the trail and one asked, “have you ever ridden this course before?” To which I responded, “no, this is my first time… It’s (insert special word here) hard!” The reply I got was a slight pause and, “well… it IS one of the hardest courses in the area.” … What?! Shoot... The other guy was eyeing my bike and said, “I used to have a hard tail too; you’re going to get super thrashed out here!” 

Did he just diss my bike? I managed an awkward laugh, hopped on my bike and wished them a farewell thinking I’d be riding into the abyss like a rockstar. 100 feet later (I showed them!), I stopped at a 2 foot drop into jagged rocks, roots and dense trees. This might not be a big deal for some, but for a girl who is intimidated of a sidewalk curb…

A fun mildy rocky section leading to a little bridge over a stream

Leading up to this race I was so nervous it made me sick. A couple of things happen when I get stressed out: 1. I tell everyone and start rambling, and/or 2. I become pretty silent because I just think. About everything. I think. That’s what I do – A LOT. Yes – it’s two opposite sides of the spectrum, but whatchagonnado.

Then, Tropical storm Andrea, or Andrew, or whatever they named it, decided to pour 3 inches of rain on the course a day before the race. Sure mother nature. Take a trail that I could barely complete to begin with and throw a few inches of water on top of the already semi-muddiness. I can just see her pointing her finger at me while cackling like the Evil Witch of the West.

Race Day - It was a blue bird day but the rain really clobbered the hill. They announced we were doing 1 lap instead of 2 (Yes!! Thank you thank you thank you!) as it was super duper muddy and that the Cat 1’s were even having trouble and taking longer than expected (up to an hour to finish 5.6 miles). He also mentioned that there were unrideable sections of the course due to the rain; be prepared to dismount and walk. We lined up at the race start and I looked around at all the people with all their “oh this is just another race in the books” looks. I was silent.

My mind was all in a tizzy. When the director called our group up, I kept thinking, “ok, so do we just go? All at the same time? Do we place ourselves where we think we’ll ride? I want to go out back because these ladies have raced a lot before.” Then, he yells, “10 seconds!” and one lady asked what people were doing for Father’s Day. Father’s Day?! Is that today?! Shoot! Did I forget?! And then there was the horn - we were off! 

 Once I started I just did my own thing and “raced my own race” (thanks Kristine). We ALL had to walk quite a bit of the course. At points, I was pushing my bike through mud that went past my ankles up to my shins. Yum. It was a soggy, spongy, squishy and slippery, but at the same time, it added quite a bit of fun. I also found that I kind of enjoyed biking in the mud. There was great support from the other riders, the downhillers on the chairlift and spectators; it was a great event!

Mud!
After a Primary Rinse Off

Once the race begins, you’re in it til the end – to finish with focus and grit. Most importantly, I had to remember to smile a bunch, which sometimes brought out a laugh (especially in those tough sections); the great thing was, the people around me started laughing too, or saying funny comments. Then you realize… we’re all in the same boat. It may be harder for some than for others, but who cares! For me, I've realized this sports is so new to me - it pushes me out of my comfort zone, so I have to show up; To be there. The shotgun will start, the legs will move and the mind will follow. Then, maybe the mind will jump ahead of the body and pull me through those tough sections, propelling me, you, everyone, to the finish line!

In conclusion - My first race was successful in many ways:

1. I finished – with a smile on my face

2. I didn’t break anything

3. I found out I kind of like biking in mud

4. I only swallowed 1 bug

5. No ticks found

6. I placed 1^st in my age group in Cat 3 and was the 3^rd Cat 3 female

Thanks to all that helped pump me up and calm my nerves – you know who you are. And of course, to Coach Natedog.