A couple of days before the race the nerves started going. Home turf is a pretty big thing. There aren't very many races that are this close to home so the pressure was on. A quick pre-ride the night before in the Community Forest gave me the chance to test my skills changing a tubeless tire for the first time, something that hasn't been a problem since I started with them a few months ago. So at least I got that out of the way. But I still knew that the course the next day was going to be rocky, it was going to be rough. This was something else that I worried about the night before. A single flat or bike problem could mean getting on the podium or not. Whew, pressure. I wasn't too sure that podium was an option judging by how big the event was going to be, drawing people from all over the Kootenays. But podium would be sweet. Bragging rights. Yeah!
The morning of the event was good. Just like any other Sunday race morning but sunnier. It was going to be a good day. After getting the last things ready for the race, I headed out to Kimberley not knowing what was about to happen.
The scene was set. I arrived to the registration area with a huge amount of people gathered already. The Round The Mountain crew put on an insane event! There was music, there was beer gardens, there was food, all providing a great atmosphere. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers for putting on a great event and bringing people together in the biking community in the Kootenays!
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| Start of the Round The Mountain event in Kimberley, B.C. |
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| Start of the Round The Mountain event in Kimberley, B.C. |
The start was called. A couple of minutes until the real deal was going to go down. By this time all the nervousness was gone. It was now or never so why even be worried about it? The countdown came, 5,4,3,2,1. Fifty racers were off to see what the 20km Round The Mountain would hold for them.
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| Start of the Round The Mountain event in Kimberley, B.C. |
Right off the bat I was side by side with one of my main competitors. This was a person that I had the sights set on for quite some time now. Someone who has been part of the riding scene for a while and competed in many events. Someone who has beat me in previous races. This was the next person on the list to try to beat. I started to pull away from him on the first climb. YES!
This race seemed to be broken up into three different sections for me. The first being a long steady climb starting out on a dirt road and breaking into single track. I think this might have been my strongest section because I couldn't hear anyone behind me or see anyone during a few peeks back. The second section brought the rough stuff filled with plenty of roots and rocks. This was the toughest section for me by far. In this area I didn't hear anyone and may have not been putting 110% forward because of that. I remember getting to the halfway mark and still not hearing or seeing anyone near me. But they were not far.
During one of the rocky climbs another racer caught up to me struggling to get up the rocky hill. I figured it was a way better idea to run it rather then bike it, making up a bit of time. Seeing another racer behind me brought all the adrenaline back and I thought to myself that I didn't make it that far to lose it now! The finish line was right there right?! It wasn't. The race started to get really tough and interesting just over halfway through the 20km course.
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| The gnarly rock sections brought the tech! |
Finally came the third section. I was pretty tired by this point after giving the previous 17 km all my strength. This section brought us back onto smoother trails where I started to feel back in my game again. It's pretty easy to start doing stupid things out there purely from a lack of energy. And I definitely had a couple stumbles because of that. On what I thought was the final kilometer, the trail was covered with wood chips. This made it seem like I was biking through mud and took the remaining energy from me. There were a couple of small climbs in here which is where I think I made up some more time giving me a strong lead for the finish. Who would of ever thought that I might podium? And by this point I was leading! It felt really good and I rode that wave right to the finish line where I finished 25 seconds faster then the next competitor! There was a huge gathering of people and the announcer called me as the fastest person to go Round The Mountain. Yes. So good! Results -> http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.asp?page=table&databaseId=17720&categoryId=0
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| My friend Steph who ran Round The Mountain and kicked ass, and me. |
The finish was great. After a couple of beer, a burrito, and many conversations with new friends, it was time to pack it in and take the 30 minute drive home. Today was a good day. Today didn't go anywhere near how I expected it to and I was okay with that. Very okay.
I probably don't thank the people around me enough that help me and keep me stoked on riding my bike. Opus Bike www.opusbike.com has provided me with a sweet rig that keeps amazing me on it's handling abilities and the new terrain that it can conquer. From the smooth singletrack of the Spokane 24hr race to Kimberley's tecky, rocky, rooty Round The Mountain race, the Opus model that I ride, the Stakh, has yet to let me down. And I don't think it will.
Favorit Cycles www.favorit-cycles.com has been an awesome job and has allowed me the time to get in the training, and of course the races. Thanks boss!
And all my friends. Keeping the stoke going is what it's all about. Pushing to the next level is what it's all about. And the support I get from all of you is what it's all about. Boo yeah!
That kinda sounds like some corny Hollywood speech. I don't think that actors mean it, I do!
Next up, the BC Cup XC on July 2nd in Panorama. This one's going to be big. I bet there will be some pros there that I might be able to take some tips off of.
On another note, Cranbrook is getting together a new riding club. Name? WILDHORSE riding club. It's about time this area jumps to the next level and gets a designated riding club that brings a base to the mountain biking that happens in the area. Keep an eye and an ear out for the club. Things are just in the making but are ramping up quickly.
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| The up and coming Wildhorse Bike Club |
Thanks for reading my blog.
Peace out.
Oh god. This is pure gold.
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