Let's start from the beginning...
I
picked up a form at my local bike shop, filled it out, and sent it in
along with $13. Then I re-read Ned Overend's book to make sure that I
would know what was going on at the race. I had no clue what to expect
at the race since I had never been to one. All I knew was that I should
pre-ride the course before race day.
Well the week before the
race my mom and I drove out to the location of the race looking for a
state forest or a place with trails. No such luck. After talking to a
local, we found out that the race course is on private property and it
is only open for the day of the race. OK. The trip wasn't a total
waste; at least we knew the directions and how long it would take to get
there. We drove around a few back roads, and I was able to get a feel
for some of the terrain I would be riding.
The race would be on
Saturday, so I made sure to take Thursday off and get a decent ride in
on Friday so I would be fresh. (If you take a day off the day before
the race, your legs may feel "dead" on race day.) Also on Friday, I
tried to load up as much race stuff as possible to save time Saturday
morning.
I woke up nice and early Saturday morning and had a large
breakfast of apple cinnamon pancakes four hours before the race. Then I
threw all my stuff in the truck and double-checked by MTB race
checklist to be sure I had everything I needed.
We left for the
race, which was just a little over an hour away. The ride gave me some
time to plan my race strategy and listen to some music to get me pumped
up. Once we got closer I could see the riders warming up on the
streets. I saw so many nice bikes and team jerseys; I was a tad
intimidated.
We parked over in the field with everyone else.
Walked around a little and made it to the registration table. They had a
packet for "Levin Bloom." After they changed that, I changed into my
cycling clothes and started to warm up for 20-30 minutes. (By the way,
when I changed, I found a little bathroom under a pavilion. Normally
you just change at your car.)
I tried to practice my start and my
finish since they were in the same spot. It's always nice to know if
there are any sharp turns or other surprises close to the finish,
especially if you are duking it out for first place.
I made it
back and people were starting to line up so I jumped in about three or
four rows back. The race director had to give a quick speech at the
line about race etiquette and the like. Start! Here we go! I had been
practicing clipping-in to the pedal quickly, but guess what - it took
me a few tries this time and everyone was passing me.
After a half
mile or so, we hit a nice steep hill with plenty of switchbacks to
separate the field. I love hills, so I passed a few people, and chased a
few more at the top. Then I ran into a little problem: my descending
skills. It's not that I was bad, but I was pretty inexperienced;
everyone I passed on the climb would catch me on the descent. After
trading places with the same people over a few hills, I knew I couldn't
keep wasting my energy like that. So on the next downhill I just let
the bike go. I had never had the balls to go so fast, and no one could
catch me anymore!
The race just kept getting harder as it went on.
Everything was pretty much mental; I've never ridden so fast or been
in so much agony! At least I could check my odometer and see that only 4
miles are left!
As the race went on, I was passing people who were wearing team jerseys. How can they be sponsored?
Then I hit a nice downhill along a pipe line. Very fun! Took a corner and... another hill!
People
start cheering for me at the base of the hill, which was kind of weird;
I had never had people cheer for me while I was out riding by bike
before. Anyway, this hill is freakin' great! I couldn't feel the pain
anymore, and I just started flying up the hill because I knew the race
was almost over. (One good use for an odometer!)
I got to the top
of the hill, realized that there was a left turn and more hill! Worked
out perfect since I was able to pass someone else. Then it was all fun
downhill. The feeling I had on the climb was truly euphoric. That's
what racing is all about!
As I near the end, people are out on
their porches watching the race and cheering me on. After a sharp
right, I cross the finish line. My mom is nowhere to be seen, so I take
a cool down lap. When I came back to the line, some guy crossed it and
his friend said that he might have made the Top 10 with that finish. I
was puzzled. I was sure there was a pretty big crowd of riders ahead
of me.
Then I simply waited around for a couple hours (nothing
unusual) as results were compiled, and enjoyed a nice shaved ice and
some free water during the wait. And yes, I did change out of my nasty,
sweaty uniform.
Finally, the trophies: I got 5th overall, giving
me a 1st in the 16-19 age category, and earning myself a nice little
trophy to go with my free t-shirt.
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