Kristin Rides

2nd place!

We drove down to Bend on Friday night and camped out at an unbelieveably amazing spot on one of the Sisters. We woke up to views 3 or 4 mountains, it was incredible. We had a long, lazy morning, then drove into Bend around noon to pick up our race packets, find a new campsite closer to the race start, and preride. We failed at our first attempt to find a good spot, so we momentarily bailed on the search and prerode…we got to the course around 2:45pm and did a lazy lap. At least mine was lazy. The course was fun, fast, with a few technical spots, but pretty straightforward overall. I had to be very conscious of my pedals, because there were a lot of bottom bracket-height rocks right on the edge of the trail that I slammed once or twice with my pedals. I was glad for my super tall BB.

After a good 2 hour lap, we went to the camping spot we had found on our trip a few weeks ago, and got ready for an early wake-up. Waking up before like 8 or 9am while camping, especially in the spring, sucks. It’s SO COLD. Rushing through making breakfast, cleaning up, and tearing down camp kinda blows. But, you gotta do whatcha gotta do. I had scrambled eggs, 2 morning star sausage patties, a piece of sprouted grain bread, and a mixed fruit bowl apprx 2.5 hours before the race start (writing this down so I remember, it was the perfect breakfast!)

We got there a little later then we wanted, but I still got in a good 40 minute warm up, going up the long dirt road climb that was the start of the race. I usually have really crappy starts, so I was bound and determined to have a good start. My only goals were to race my ass off and have a good start.

Well, I wasn’t the first one out of the gate or to hit the climb. But once we were climbing I just went to work, passed everyone, and hammered my ass off for about 30 minutes. Once I was in the lead, the only thing I could think was go as fast as you can as long as you can so no one can see you anymore. Out of sight, out of mind. After a while I noticed that no one was behind me. Once I felt I had thoroughly dropped everyone, I tried to relax and settle in, since it was a 28 mile race, after all. I had really pushed the beginning, my lower back, triceps and core were just screaming.

I came up with a mantra for myself to keep at it. Race strong, solid, and smart. In other words, keep a high pace at all times, but not so high that I get too hot and get sloppy with my handling. I overcooked a few turns and then really had to hold it back so I could flow and still stay strong.

I also kept repeating lessons I had learned from previous races. Look ahead look ahead look ahead I kept telling myself, when I noticed that I was starting to look at my front wheel. When you’re bombing like mad, that is REALLY important. I kept telling myself to relax my upper body, especially on the double track. Another very very key thing was that if I came up on someone (I was passing cat 2 men constantly), was to pass them immediately. It’s really easy to catch someone, then stay behind for a while to catch your breath. No. If you catch someone, that means you’re moving faster then them. Just go around, right away.

Finally, the other really important thing on this race was that I was remembering to drink water consistently, and I had a gel right before the race, and at the beginning of the second lap. So my head was in it the entire time.

So, back to the battle royale. About 12 miles (?) into the race (just before the tunnel), Abby came up on me and passed me. I was actually shocked she hadn’t passed me earlier, because I knew she was stronger then me (apparently she had dropped her chain at the beginning and had to work to pass everyone). After that, I just tried to keep her in view at all times. Strong solid smart. I just kept at it. Finally, on that really steep uphill section towards to the first half of the second lap, I saw her ahead with about 5 or 6 other people walking up the climb. Oh hell yes, I said to myself. I bombed it, got through everyone, and passed her. I figured she would pass me again, but I kept at it as long as possible.

She ended up passing me again at the exact same spot. I tried to keep her in view again, but she was hammering like a crazy person (or I was just slowing down), and she just flew from my sight pretty quickly. At that point, all I could think about was holding onto 2nd place and keeping at it, no matter what. And that is what I did. I never let up, I never slowed down, I just time trialed my ass off, and got my second place.

This was my Win that I REALLY needed. I feel AWESOME about this race, it was fun, great weather, and I did every single thing I could do, and I really succeeded. My time was about 2:15. I cannot believe I can do 28 miles of single/double track in 2:15. That kind of boggles my mind. I also cannot believe how much faster and better technically I was then a lot of cat 2 men. I thought the guys I was passing on the climbs would pass me on the downhills, but au contraire. I still passed dudes on the downhills. I think my skills, confidence, and fitness on my mountain bike has just skyrocketed this year. I’m so happy to feel good about racing again! I can’t wait for Pickett’s Charge!