Well, the race is over, and I had alot of fun. I was really pleased with the new bikes performance. It just seems so darn fast. I finished 9 th (I could have passed a guy right at the end, but there was not a good place to pass.) Rob finishing just behind me at 10 th. Rg crashed which caused a mechanical problem on his bike, but he showed tenacity, and finished the race anyway. good job guys!!
I think my second lap was faster than the first, When I crossed the start finish line after lap one I wasnt pleased with my time ( kind of P.O. d in fact). So I turned it it up on the second lap, and finished by a time of 55 minutes on my odometer. Which isnt my best time, but there is always next time.
My sister finished third in her first race. She could have taken second, but she thought she was way ahead and slowed down near the end . Well as luck would have it, the girl was right behind her, and passed her. She was bummed, but I told her its all part of racing, and she learned something today and to remember it during your next race. never let up!! My neice had fun in the kids race she did really well. She rode over the log that was on the kids loop for the first time that day.
What about you guys, what did you think.
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4 years ago
9 comments:
In one word: discouraged.
I'm beginning to think that MTB Racing is not for me. Actually, I thinks fun AFTER the race, but I don't have enough time to train for it. Once a week on the bike is always going to yield the same results for me. Last place.
I had 3rd going into the singletrack and felt ok. Once through to the road, I didn't shift into my big ring, but everyone else did. I dropped 4 places. A couple of others passed as we were riding up the hill to the nursery. That's where I setttled in. I road my race and did my first lap at 29 min (my clock). Second lap on the road is where dmars passed. Rob followed close by and passed as I biffed hard at the start of the nursery. I'm still not sure what happened. I'm still dealing with pain from the 2 strawberries on my right knee and 3 on my right elbow. The shower HURT!
I gathered myself after the wreck, and pushed on. By this point and the last climb hill I knew I was last. I kept going and finished @ 59 mins (again my clock).
The lead group of Millhouse, Ryan and the Bike way guy where good. They were gone. I think that this group finished a good 4 or 5 mins ahead of me, maybe more. Congrats on a good race guys.
MANOWAR is next. I think I'm racing (or should I just say paying to ride).
keep your head up RG, you finished the race after a tough crash. None of us are getting paid by racing, so we all are there for fun.
Everyone's laps should have the offset (number of minutes your group started behind the first group) subtracted for actual time.
You're right rg, one ride a week is not enough to hit podium, unless you were riding sport competitively and sandbagged down to beginner to get medals.
Except for a few cat/classes, podium usually is not possible for 2 out of 3 participants, 5 out of 6 in the Beg 35+ Saturday.
My first year racing, I was 1st, 2nd, or 3rd every race - from the bottom. 8-)
If you want to get faster, let's talk. It'll take 5 hours per week on average and that includes weight training, stretching, and eating some better fuel.
Getting a medal is cool, I got one my second year, and more my third, then moved up to sport, in which I think I've got two medals in three years and that's b/c the faster racers didn't show - but on those days and locations, I was one of the fastest and it still counts.
Yes, most are paying to ride, but the atmosphere, official times, all the volunteer work to make it happen, and the people who participate and watch are what makes a race different than a ride. Except for those who dnf, I've been in last place this year, kind of come full circle. 8-)
But racing is about being pushed to do your best and being part of something bigger than your riding posse - supporting part of the local biking scene.
For me, we are more fortunate to be able to participate and come in last place than not have the opportunity at all. I also think it is better to experience the hard work and suffering of competition then just being a spectator in life.
I'm sounding a little preachy, but it comes down to one's philosophy of life. Each of us is different and chooses how they spend their limited time here. Bottom line, I "choose" to define fun through participating in the biking community. Right now that is paying to ride and volunteering my time so others may change their life one ride (or race) at a time.
Thanks for the perspective Dale. I'll race at MANOWAR and probably help out there too.
I'd love to have a conversation with you about a training program. Maybe its something that I can start this winter and be primed and ready come NORFOlK in the spring!
As for the paying comment, I was joking. I know and pay to support the comunnity!
As for the opportunity, we in Omaha are lucky and I know that! I've on more than one occasion had my lincoln friends comment on how we are lucky to have these trails in town to ride on. We are also lucky to have guys like you that coordinate, participate and support the efforts.
I'm here and humble, and I think that's good! Chicks dig scars too!
Great perspective Dale! I really appreciate the hard work and dedication that the cycling community has in both riding and organization. Those guys that ride at expert/sport levels are really helping us beginners in so many ways. I learn not only trail skills, but a dedication to be better than I am at something new. That education, spills over to trail stewardship and camaraderie. It's a great example to learn from.
This year marks my renewal of interest in cycling after a ten year absence. I am well into my first season of racing, and have not been competative to this point. I'm not sure that really matters to me that much, but as you stated, "Getting a medal is cool." I would love to be on the podium at least once, but this year I don't think it will happen. My goal for next year is: to crash/bleed less, but my stretch goal is to be on the podium at least once. I know it's going to take commitment; way more than I was able to do this year.
I'm so jealous of the trails and organized rides that Omaha has made happen. Here in Lincoln, we have Wilderness Park as the only real trail within the city limits. If you are willing to drive 25 miles, there are more trails: Platte, Branched Oak and Wagon Train. None of them get the trafic or attention like the Omaha trails do. To date, I know of only two organized weekly MTB rides: the 80 mile bacon ride and one that another shop puts on. I could see myself joining the ride that Bikemasters has, but the one organized ride in Lincoln is intimidating to the point I don't believe any of my regular riding buddies want to attend. It's sad, but true. The Omaha community seems more organized, and more accepting. At least that is my perspective looking from the outside in. Maybe the numbers allow for greater diversity.
RG, I know you're down on your performance from Tranq. I can understand that and empathise with your feelings, I know I would be having similar feelings in the same situation. But getting back on after a crash shows moxie. You-d-man! I love riding with dmars and my long lost cousins! I can't wait for a couple pre-race laps at Manowar with you guys!
I'll bring the beers Rob!
Ya, great perspective Dale!
O ya, pre-race laps at Manowar would be great and I will help drink the beer too.
I may hit you up for some training advice also dale
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