BUDu #4 XC race at Souring Eagle

March 31st I had my first bike race of the year. The forecast was not in our favor after the wettest March in recorded history but we lucked out and the 60% chance of rain never came through. I am racing as sport and very much enjoying the reduced pressure of not being in the same class as the Pro's as I used to be when I was 19.

The 30 to 39 age bracket had about 30 racers and I started near the back so I can stick to my old slow and steady race pace. Little did I know, there would be literally 100 feet of double track per lap on this race coarse. The train was muddy, rutted, and littered with slick roots. One guy laid his bike down right in front of me forcing me to do the same but I ended up on my feet. Close one! The coarse also had 4 or 5 log stacks. Some were very rideable, and others, not so much. I ended up passing several riders by dismounting and re-mounting cyclocross style while they crashed and tumbled over them.

I spent most of the first lap behind riders slower than me, trying to find a place to pass. One by one, I got by them until the beginning of the second lap. That is when I found myself settled into my own pace. That was also the time my rear brake all but stopped working. Brakes are overrated! I need to use them less and look for lines that allow me to do so. I gapped a rider that was on my wheel on the decent because I was using my brakes much less than he was. Ah yes, older and wiser I have become.

8.6 miles and over an hour latter, I am very ashamed to say, my legs were toast as I rolled  across the line. That was the most tiresome sub 10 mile rout I have ever taken part in, mostly due to the mud and wet roots. What I blast! I was pleased with my 6th place finish. Another Fischer Plumbing rider took first. Go team!

After the race, my wife Sara wanted to ride but she is a beginner and would not do well at all on the race rout. I wouldn't either at that point. We were very close to Duthie Hill bike park so we decided to check it out. What a good idea!

90 minutes and 1,000 calories after my finish, I was ready to see the mt. bikers dream come true that is Duthie Hill. This place has something for everyone on two wheels. We took a look at the map and decided to ride the Boot Camp trail since it was an easy "green" rout. I attempted the harder options, mostly successfully.

 Duthie Hill has a big clearing in the center for skills development. I didn't realize I was so bad at riding on a plank until I tired going down to 7 inches wide. I need some work! Drop offs were fun too. I did the one just over the baby drop with some good speed. What a rush! This place is so fun! Can't wait to go back. Thank goodness for the great weather. It was an awesome day to be on a bike in Washington. Racing at Lord hill next Sunday, April 5th.

Rid the Plank

Drop off skills!

Sara testing her balance on the planks!