H2H Wawayanda

There are days when you just get out of bed on the "right" side, and what ever life throws at you, makes you smile. Sunday was one of those days for me. It had been over a month that I had been irritated by stiff necks, headaches, sore muscles and whatever other excuses us over 50 people get burdened down with, which I’m sure is pretty normal. Although I get down on myself at times, I know I am still way better than the person who only leaves the couch to get more cupcakes. However those occasional false moments of doubt, can sure suck the energy out of you at times.

Sunday, the day of the Campmor H2H Spring Cleaning mountain bike race at Wawayanda State Park, I awoke and planted my feet on the ground on that very precious “right” place. Unaware that things were that right, I went about my normal race day stuff as the day started with little changed in my head. The team even gathered for a picture, which was nice. I often try to organize a picture and it doesn’t work out time wise, but Sunday, with a new race schedule, we made it happen and even got a fun picture. I did not know it at that time, but that was a major “right” thing that I did to get the day off right.

Before the race, I had a few clothing indecisions, which required me to go back to the car a few times. Yes, I know, a girl can never figure out what to wear, but I’m glad I did, as I was perfect temperature wise in the race. Also the feed zone moved, and had me searching mid warm up, but it all worked out perfect, as I got to start line warmed up at just the right time. I love when that happens!

The race had a long road start, and the young girls agreed to pull up front. You have to love the energy of youth! Gun goes off and I find myself in 4th behind J, G and Stacey. J and G start to peter out, so Stacey pulls to the front and I go with her. Just before the single track J and G wheel around us to the front and I high five them on the smart move. I was a little skeptical going into the woods with my current health, but found myself with the legs and goods to pass all the ladies before the first rocky uphill. I amazed myself, and I rode with silence behind me for what seemed like a really long time.

By the time I hit Doublepond trail, my teammates, Dar and Marianne who were racing pro, caught up to me and I let them by. Usually they disappear quickly, but I stayed with them for several miles until Hemlock trail. Although that was the last sight of an elite woman until the finish line, I did work through the back of the men’s classes and got passed by a few Cat 2 men. It was by no means uneventful, as the trails were challenging with numerous wet rock gardens and roots. There were also a few steep ups that I cleaned every lap. My legs did not really tire until the very end and I was able to finish strong as the third women in and first in my age bracket.

I had not felt that good in a race in a while. Even after the race was done, I had more energy after the two hour race than before. It is amazing how much energy that comes from within us. I hope I can keep this feeling for a few more days!

The Dark Side

With my 20 year anniversary of mountain bike racing growing closer on the horizon, there are still a few things with racing I have missed out on and would like to try. One of them has been to compete in the High Point Hill Climb road Time Trial. It seems that for the past decade this race has conflicted with the H2H schedule and I had automatically made it a non-priority. This year the date was a week earlier, so I jumped on the idea of trying this TT. I have never road raced before nor road time trialed, so this would be a complete new experience.

I asked a few TT experts about course previewing and they told me to get out to High Point and check out the course by car and bike, so that is what I did. I drove it first and then parked in the park on top to ride down and preview the climb. It was really cold and windy that day, and as I pulled stuff out of trunk, my wheel nearly blew off to Kansas, so I had to put it back in my car, while I dressed. Then I noticed that it was spitting snow. I found this quite amusing that on the day I plan to ride the road in late spring, it snows, when we had summer like weather all March. One thing I do know well, is that I can not change the weather, so I better just deal with it if I plan to be on my bike.

Dressed in full metal jacket, I descended in the crazy wind, and sure enough the snow was done and now the sun was out to cook me on the way back up. I ended up stripping down some but was over dressed for sure. The bottom of the climb was wide, open and boring. By the time I was a 1/3 the way up, I had already talked myself out of racing. I thought at that rate, it could take me 40 minutes, and I was really hoping for under 30 minutes. From that point on I backed off to relaxed pace to get back to the car. The road began to turn more up top and I actually enjoyed the ride up at pleasure pace. Once in the park, there were beautiful rock formations and one section of road that was completely lined with red columbine. I am so glad I slowed down to see these things, as I would have never seen them in race mode. As I reached the monument, my clock read 34 minutes and a women I ran into at the top reported her time as 39 minutes.

After some thought, I decided to register, and I'm glad I did, as I met my goal of under 30 minutes with a time of 28:12 on race day, passing a few ladies along the way. Was it fun? Not really, more like the pain cave with a mountain instead of a cave, but I am glad to have given it a try. I also went into this with no knowledge of road TT'ing, and I think I learned some, probably a lot more to learn as well. My day was more about pushing myself and just checking out racing on the dark side. Outside of the race, it was still a beautiful day in the mountains, which is a good day to me.

columbine in bloom

30 seconds before the pain cave, and notice it is uphill at the start.

H2H Chainstretcher

So here I am, once again, at the season opener of the Campmor H2H Race series. After nearly a month with no rain, our long needed rain finally came on race day. With predictions of heavy rain and flooding, I feel as if we lucked out with just an afternoon soaker. Most of the Cat 2’s and 3’s got their races in with just a lightly dampened course before the big rain made it’s way to Blue Mountain Reservation in Peeksill NY.

My day started with a little pow-wow at registration to decide which class the team Cat 1 ladies would race this year. As you read this, you may think that this is silly, but as mentors, we try our best to set the right examples for other women, as well as do what is best for ourselves and our fellow team mates. The series has offered a higher purse for Pro/Open than just Cat 1 in hopes to encourage more women to race. So..... Typical of us three, our conversation started out overly polite, with us each trying to fit in with what was best for the other, then the thought of paper/rock /scissors came to mind, and finally a decision was made that M and D would race pro and I was free to do the same or stay Cat 1. I chose to stay Cat 1, and after my race, I realize that was probably a good choice.

With all the nonsense of figuring out what class to race in, I neglected to check my over aired tires and went out to pre-ride. I threw myself over the bars on the first creek crossing. Luckily, I did not get hurt, but that was a good enough reminder that the course was wet, a condition I had not ridden in months. As I went to line up, I ran into a friend who mentioned that his buddy took a spill in the Cat 2 race and was on his way to the hospital. That sealed the deal, and I decided to race it safe, even if I were slower.

I had someone wheel around me before the first climb. Normally in Cat 1 this is not a big deal, as the race is long and things will work themselves out, but this person began to flail about and eventually forced me off my bike. I stayed calm and hoofed it up the hill in last place, re-mounted, slammed it in my big ring, passed them, and in 20 seconds I was back on the leaders train. …. I love my Sram XX 2x10! It gets me the gear I need and when I need it. Monster was the first single track, and the one where I went over the bars on the warm up. It was tight and I was unable to make a pass, but that may have been good, as I rode conservative. When things opened up and went uphill, I was ready to go and made my next pass.

It was quite humid and misty on my first lap and my glasses were so fogged that I over reacted a few times, causing some near crashes. I eventually settled in as class leader and 5th overall women. I also got rid of the glasses, which was a big help. Then the rain moved in, and the dirt sections became slick as well. Someone commented that my pink wheels glowed in the gloomy, misty woods, but I never noticed that. I was just riding, head down, trying to get the rainy race done safely. I was very happy to cross the finish line and find out M and D took 2nd and 3rd in the pro field and SS took 3rd in Cat 2. It was a rubber side down good day for Team Campmor women! I am lucky to be surrounded but such an outstanding group of athletes.

Emerging Life in the Woods

frog eggs

Vernal Equinox

The past few weeks have been wonderful with unseasonably warm weather in New Jersey. It is such a treat to finally be free from all the layers of insulated and windproof clothing that I have been hiding behind all winter. The sensation of wind and sun on my limbs is just pure bliss. I am not alone with this excitement, as butterflies are bouncing about, peepers are singing, snakes squirming around and yes, even bear scat has been spotted. The wood are alive, and spring is here for sure and it is quite early this year. No complaints on my part, just enjoying it for what it is. This is a good time to be a mountain biker!

Is It Spring Yet?

Saturday I raced the MTBNJ Short Track race at BSA camp in Allamuchy, NJ. Before I go any further, I will tell you that I do not normally race before May. I have always felt that my time riding and getting back in form is much better spent in a non competitive atmosphere, than stressed about being better, faster and stronger. There are so many cool things to see out on the trail and social experiences that I feel make me a better person. Riding with a narrow vision may take a person to a specific goal, but a broader experience is where I am at. This may not be the case for everyone, but I really like to enjoy my ride time as just ride time.

The week leading up the race was awesome with a few outstanding mountain bike rides with some ladies and a few days with temps in the 60's. How could anyone help but feel like spring was budding right in front of us. Call it spring fever .... I signed up to race. Quickly, other racers seemed pleased that they were not the only one with spring fever. Much to my surprise, it was 22 degrees when I arrived at the race. I ended up wearing all my winter clothing and it still felt cold before my race.

My race went well. No way was I mentally prepared to put in an all out effort like in cross, but I was very steady with my heart rate just about where I was hoping it would be this time of year. The climbs had begun to thaw and were turning into slimy mud. This made the racers fight for traction and get double the workout. My legs felt like toast, but that might be expected this time of year after doing a hard ride the day before.

What was really cool , was that there were several women racing for their first time. They were very excited, and that is great to see. Mountain bike racing has plenty of room for a few more ladies to join in the fun, and yes, every lady that raced was smiling at the finish line. Perhaps Short Track has some appeal for first timers. Either way, glad to see it in NJ.



photo by GTLuke


just a skim of ice

Looking for Spring

At Last ... Some Winter Riding

My most recent indulgence of late season cross racing has rearranged my winter training schedule for sure. For something that I thought would upset my winter, I have been pleasantly pleased with how things have worked out so far. Probably the biggest factor contributing to my feeling pleased, is that the weather this winter has been quite mild. I had a planned week off when I got home from Louisville and had a chance to get out on XC skis one day, and had a few forced days off that were enforced by broken pipes in our house which kept me indoors for a few days cleaning. I was annoyed at the time, and don't wish broken pipes on anyone, but looking back now, these came at a good time.

By the time I was thinking about trying to catch up with some long road rides, the temps went up and I had some great long rides up in Harriman by myself. I looked at my log to see how far behind I was with my winter riding, and realized that I was not only ahead of last year, but February was already here. Before this insight, I was under the impression that winter had just begun. This made me very happy to think that spring was more than halfway here. February is also a great month because you notice the days are getting longer. This past week, I enjoyed some after work mountain bike rides with my teammates. How nice is that?

For the most part, the bulk of my mountain biking over the past four months has been mostly on less technical terrain. My home trails are so technical that I actually need a break from them. As cross season starts, I shift my focus to a different form of riding and let go of my technical world. Many will not understand why I do this, but it is something that I feel I need to do. I am not a naturally fearless rider, I actually have to work at it, and taking a break gives me a chance to start fresh each year. Take a break and you forget. You forget some skills as well as bad habits and fears. You then have a fresh slate. Fear is a funny thing, and little fears can haunt you and make you think you can not do things. So much of riding is calculated, and often the risks can be minimized with finesse, mad skill and balance. It's just your head that distracts you at times.

This past weekend the ground refroze and conditions were perfect at Wawayanda. I rode 2 days on 2 different bikes, both 26er and 29er and started working on my skills and confidence. All I can say is "I love to ride all my bikes!" We rode from Ferber circle which is like singletrack concentrate. Awesome fun! I can't wait to get back up there again. Hooray for winter riding with friends!

Cyclocross Master World Championships

If you asked me a few years back, if I would ever race in January, I would have answered something like: “No, are you crazy?” ..... I’m not really sure how this past week came to be, but Cyclocross World Championships making it’s first visit to the U.S., was an opportunity not to be missed. It did not take all that much arm-twisting from friends to convince Art and me to make the trip to Louisville and register to race as part of this historic event.


Raystown Lake, Pa .... Our journey started with a quick stop at Raystown Lake Trails for a short ride to loosen our legs up. We had lunch and got back on route and quickly drove into rain.





Louisville: We arrived in Louisville after a few 50 degree rainy days that left the course very wet. The course is situated in a flood plain which is silt soil with a smooth and slippery texture. The first day of heat races churned the course into mud and puddles. Then the temps dropped into the low twenties making frozen ruts and ice over 80% of the course. The flyover and landing area was so icy, that before the heats could start the promoter poured bags of salt and added a few loads of dirt to the landing to make it safer.


Flyover


Art warming up in the truck

Art raced his seeding heat the morning of the first deep freeze, and conditions were very unpredictable, with racers getting hooked on ruts, falling and shooting off course. Even the leaders were struggling. I was uncertain if I should even pre-ride the course that day because the conditions were so sketchy. Several ladies told me that they would not ride in those conditions. Then the course crews started to relocate a few of the really bad sections, so I went out on course to give it try.

It took me a half of a lap to trust my instincts, but once I did, I really enjoyed trying to negotiate the conditions. It totally took my mind off of fitness and being nervous to race, as the conditions demanded full concentration. I rode the edges and zig-zaged across the ruts trying not to let them hook my wheel. When I got to the flyover, there were a few ladies discussing if they should ride down. I did not even want to look down. I just needed to trust in myself. Without hesitation, I stepped up to them and stepped onto my pedal and swung my leg over, and I was down smoothly.





The following day the sun came out, and by late day it warmed slightly, softening, churning and rutting the course up again. Yep, you guessed it …. twenties again at night and a dusting of snow to leave me frozen ruts and hidden ice for my early morning race. When I got there the crews were busy dumping wood chips and dirt on a few dicey sections, which really helped. I took 2 laps in the morning and once again enjoyed the challenge of the conditions and how it took my mind off of being nervous.


Run up


Start line


Staging

Eventually I took the line and was 2nd row behind Elite Time Trial World Champion and past Olympian, Karen Brems. Not that I had the goods to hold on to her wheel, but I had the best wheel in the line up, thanks to Art for pointing me to that spot. I had a good start and after the long stretch of pavement I was well within top 8, maybe even top 6. In the first lap, a few ladies passed me on straight stretches as we settled into our places. Then I tangled into some kevlar tape, which does not break but tosses you back, and I lost another spot. This momentarily flustered my confidence. It took me a half a lap, but I got my head together and back on pace.

The run ups were all steep with frozen shoe holes. My chain fell off on the barrier run up while head to head with another woman. I hopped on, found my pedals and shifted my chain up before the next turn, while staying in front. I am so pleased for staying calm and getting that done under pressure. I went back and forth with several women in lap 3 and 4. Then going into the last section, they both ended up in front of me and they opened up a very small gap. I took the inside line with the giant rut into the second to last run-up. I hung out my inside leg, and managed to keep the bike upright, which put me right behind the other two women. I hustled up the final run-up and mounted quickly to get in front of one of them, and then took the inside line into the final turn and passed the other. I ended up 2nd in the finish sprint, which placed me 12th overall.



By afternoon the course completely changed. Art's race was a total mud slog. He had no pit bike, and ground out the whole race, only able to find one happy gear where he could keep his chain on. Many of the racers were struggling, but Art stayed tough and held a strong 15th in a large field. The conditions were so diverse, It's hard to believe both our races were on the same day. By the last race of the day, racers were only getting 3 laps in the allotted time because of the mud. I never thought I would say this, but I was happy for the frozen ruts and ice.


Art's bike


Erin after the muddiest race of the weekend. We enjoyed some beer while cars were getting pushed out of the mud.

This race was a great experience with totally epic conditions. I was uncertain how I would hold up in full winter conditions, but I thought I did really well, and to my surprise, I actually enjoyed the frozen conditions. It was also very inspiring to race in a class with so many strong athletes. I certainly have my work cut out for me, if I should want do this again next year.


Ray's Indoor park in Cleveland!! Oh heck .... we are out here anyway, so why not stop and check out Ray's! You can be certain that Pixy was terrorizing the little peanuts in the beginner and novice areas.


Drove back into rain. ..... The whole view of Pennsylvania

2012 and One Week to Go ....

2012 is here and while I have had some thoughts about the new year, I found myself putting them on hold in order to try to focus on this one last race to wrap up my cyclo-cross season. I'm headed to Cyclocross Master World Championships and I am not sure if I am ready to race, but I am looking forward to the journey and the new experiences I may have, as well as the the long anticipated break that lies ahead at the end of my race season. Stay tuned for some pictures and stories.