Rim Nordic and 'Bumping Up' (an STP tale)

[STP]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The girlfriend had rolled out for her Sport class race nearly an before and now it was my turn. She bumped up and I did too. It’s always a big jump in XC racing, when you bump up. You start at Beginner and if you’re consistently good, or been there awhile, then you move up a class. It’s at the ‘Start Line’ that you realize you’re going to be doing double the mileage and that my friend, is a huge increase.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]My situation wasn’t Beginner to Sport, but Sport to Expert. I tried it out a couple of years ago and came up very short. While it’s not double the mileage, you’re doing three laps instead of two. And that too, is a huge increase. If you’re serious about racing XC (and to those who are reading this and do race XC), a typical XC race is far more than just a ‘hard ride’. They can be some of the most brutal flogs you’ll ever put yourself through. After being a podium spot just about every time and finishing 2nd in Men’s Sport 45-49 I decided that it’s time to try again and Rim Nordic would be my first Expert Race and my last 2007 race.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I line up with people I’ve known well in Sport. Guys like Bob Kmetz, who dominated Sport class in 06’. Eddie Arnet was there and I had the pleasure of finishing far behind him at Southridge in an earlier Expert try a few years ago. It was a small turnout overall, and to be expected, but there were enough to make it a good race, as it would turn out for them.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]We started out and I went out with a little too much adrenaline. Up the canyon, working it too hard in the excitement and the heart rate was just banging hard against the peg. The mental game was lacking and there was little of the ‘killer instinct’ and a whole lot of ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ instead. We pounded up the first canyon and I knew that if I even attempted to hang with this crowd or try to dominate the front, I’d soon be going up one of the typical steep butt-kicker little climbs going up the hill, with a whole pack of these guys on my behind and that would just bury the ‘stress meter’ deep into the zone. Any of you familiar with this situation, knows what usually follows. So going up the canyon, I slid over and just let the guys go by, with a few hanging back behind me.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The four of us, ‘back-fill’ guys worked the trail going up the ridge and Garner, who I knew well from battling out with him years ago in Sport had kind words to offer as well as David Ortega, both great guys. No excuses, as my performance was poor. We hit the fireroad together and at that point, I just decided to make it a good ride. I worked on calming myself down and trying to rid myself of the agitated shape. Another unfortunate aspect of the ride, was that I ended up accidentally bringing my girlfriends shorts (they look exactly the same, as she was on the same team). They were somewhat ‘short’ in the back and the cool air on my bare skin confirmed mighty big case of ‘plumbers crack’ in the back. Not exactly a confidence instiller either, but since I was the last guy, who was going to see?[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The second lap, I had actually calmed down and as I crossed the start line and started to go back up the mountain side. I might as well have fun, so I decided that I’d see if I could middle-ring the whole friggin’ climb up. Any of you who race Rim Nordic, know what a challenge this is. For those who don’t, the singletrack climb up the mountain side, is one steep beyatch! There are tough little uphill G-outs, switchback turns and then finally, the infamous ‘hike-a-bike-hill’ at the top. I’ve made this hill on and off in the granny ring, but after grinding out a couple of the toughest turns just before in the middle, I decided that hill was mine and I slammed cranks into the soft dirt and started the steep ascent. Relax the handlebars, don’t let the wheel weave into the really soft stuff. Halfway up, almost there and I’m going toe-to-toe with this hill. I crest the top and I am stoked as I work the long fireroad to the first S/T entrance.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Sure wasn’t competitive, but man, was it beautiful up there. The fall foliage of oaks and aspens blazed in bright yellows against the dark green of the pines and the sky was that intense blue, that only a crisp day in late fall can produce. The S/T was sure rough and the new section that they added in had plenty of boulder surprises. The third and final lap, still running alone and I did the whole uphill climb in the middle again and cleaned it all.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The third time downhill was something else though. Fell a couple of times, just bobbling it at slow speeds and the back of my upper arms just ached from holding the brakes through all the technical sections. While it’s easy to say, just let go, it’s a different situation, when you’re tired and somewhat thrashed. That’s always a good recipe for a post-race ER visit and I had no interest in spending the rest of the afternoon and early evening in some fluorescent hell-hole.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Ended up finishing twenty minutes behind Eddie. It was a small crowd for the raffle and awards. I won a raffle prize and ended up picking out a very pretty ‘Go-Girl’ flower jersey. Since I rode like a little girl, I might as well look like one. But seriously, I picked it up for Deb, my Significant Other. So it’s going to be up to me, to get the mental game on for this. Today, I feel like I went to an S&M parlor and had a couple of the dominatrix’s work me over with rubber mallets. I’ve got the usual post-race mind whack as well. The plan is to do more road work this winter and try to get a good base, so that I can get used to the extra mileage and toughness that it takes to run Expert. No regrets so far and thanks for reading.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Regis[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[davidB]

nice read, great course as well.

you wouldn't be the guy who's s/o fell off one of the bridges would ya?

[mco804]

nice report!!!!
my wife fell off on the first bridge. She was in the beginner class though. Did other people fall off as well??

[STP]

Originally Posted by mco804

nice report!!!!
my wife fell off on the first bridge. She was in the beginner class though. Did other people fall off as well??

Don't let her feel bad! I've come really close to doing that as well and I've been racing there for years! Just a couple of races ago, my back tire totally slid out on that first bridge (it's on a curve). I had visions of the back wheel going off, while my other leg got stretched out in the opposite direction 'gymnast style'. Hope she didn't get hurt.

[mco804]

ya she's feeling alright, thanks for the concerns. I was just happy she made it down. This is her first year ever on a bike. We will be out there again for sure

[davidB]

can you bring oxygen with you next time lol

[STP]

Originally Posted by davidB

can you bring oxygen with you next time lol

We'll hook up one of those little green bottles in a camelbak! Believe me, there's times I wish I had extra 'stuff', but what I usually end up doing, is having to dig down deep and come up with 'sumptin'!

[jbiron]

Way to step up Regis! That extra lap must have been a killer. I did the State Championship up in Weaverville that weekend. It was an expert length, 23mi slog through mud. I'll post my recap soon.