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// An Educational MTB Race

Posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009

On Saturday I did something I haven’t done in about five years: I entered a mountain bike race.

Here’s the back story:

Five years ago, as a college freshman in Madison, the UW Cycling team convinced me that because so few women would be racing, even if I finished dead last, I could still get points for the team in the mountain bike race that they put on at Blue Mounds State Park every year. So I entered, even though I had never really mountain biked before. Sure, I’d ridden on plenty of dirt trails and lots of gravel roads, but never over rocks and logs, across streams, and up rocky hills. I did well in the race–5th out of 10. But I should clarify that I only placed that well because the 5 girls who placed behind me had taken a shortened route by accident, and instead of racing for 13 miles, only raced for about 8. I was still pretty excited, and for a while, if you Googled my name, you could find proof that I didn’t come in dead last (even though I probably would have if those other girls had stayed on the right trail).

Ever since then, I’ve wanted to be a hard core mountain biker. But quite frankly, I’m a bit of a pansy. I mean, I’m just plain ole scared of  busting myself up. And so I’ve tried to go riding with the Trusty Boyfriend recreationally, but I always chickened out. I could only get over the fear with the adrenaline that came with a race situation. So when the Trusty Boyfriend’s sister suggested a race up in Sonoma, I knew I had to do it, or risk being that girl who never rode a mountain bike again. So we all entered. The Trusty Boyfriend (whose name is actually Orion. I’m sick of typing Trusty Boyfriend, and he doesn’t seem to care about anonymity), his sister, one of my college friends, and I all took of early in the morning to drive to the North Bay. What we found when we got there was scary–MUD!

I was totally prepared to ride a dry course. I thought I might even do well. After all, I’m strong. My legs are solid. It’s just the technical skills that I’m lacking. But the course was disgustingly muddy. Most of us had the totally wrong tires. Most of us slipped and fell over in all the corners. And definitely my friend and I came in dead last. But I learned a lot.

I learned that Orion is right–if it’s a downhill, don’t be scared, just bomb it as fast as you can. I learned that mud is dangerous, slippery, and hard to get out of cuts and scrapes. I learned that my legs are strong–strong enough to keep up with the other women on steep hills if there’s no mud. I also learned that no one’s legs, not even the men’s pro category winner’s legs, are strong enough to pull a bike up a hill that has mud 6 inches deep. But most of all, I learned that mud and rocks and stream crossings are FUN. I remember vaguely the fun that I had in my first race, and now I know that I need to go ride with all the dedication and intensity that I do on race day–every day.

I’m super excited to have rediscovered my love of dirt and mountain biking. I’m proud of every bruise and cut and scrape, even though I didn’t win. And I’m also proud of Orion. He actually did really well in the race, taking second place in the sport category for under 35-year-olds. I’m really proud of him.

Anyway–I don’t have the pictures on my camera, but they will be forthcoming

Go out and find some dirt to ride in! You’ll love it. Trust me.

Know of a cool cycling event or story that I haven't covered?

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