MTB Racing 2, KT 0

I gave mountain bike racing another go today, this being my second race ever. There was nothing on the road scene nearby so I decided to go up to The Wilds to do the OMBC race there. The drive wasn't too bad and I got there in about an hour and a half. I got there pretty early so I had plenty of time to register, suit up and get a warm up.

Race time rolled around 1pm and we all lined up. The start was a fast downhill driveway then a sharp right onto the trail. Good, I could get the holeshot and be the first on the trail. However that did not go to plan as my chain skipped and I almost racked myself on the top tube. I didn't go down but I lost the group and i had to chase, and I never caught on. I was caught by several of the fast Sport men early but I had to do twice the milage so I let them pass. Half way in, I started to run into traffic (beginners did a shortened loop than dumped back into the main loop) and more Sport men started to catch on. I did my best to keep motoring on but it was pretty hard.

The trails were super hard. Lots of roots so you could not get a good rhythm going. Along with a few really steep sections where you had to run up with the bike. I came around to the finish and thought about quitting but I went out for my second lap. I was hurting a little nutrition wise since I had lost one GU. Well I didn't lose it but I tore the tab but it did not open the packet. It really showed as my first lap time was 1:34 with the start and running into traffic and I ran 1:45 the second lap.

I'm sure the winner was in the 2 hour range. I definitely felt I have the strength to be up there but my bike handling skills are lacking. But its not surprising since this was my second time on the mtb this month. I think I might have rode some mtb in January. Without those skills you can't keep your speed which definitely hurts you.

Anyway its time to recover and its Tour of Atlanta next week!

Milage: 145
Total 2009 Miles: 2843