How to Pass

Last year by the end of the season I was pretty much fed up with all of the different passing scenarios that had occurred.  I have been in the thick of it where I have been passed and I do the passing, and nothing is more frustrating to a rider than a pass gone bad.  After putting some thought in to it I decided to share my perspective on how to pass, prior to the ICup race season beginning.  Some of you may read this entire blog, some may not, so I am going to give my conclusion at the very first.

When asked to pass let the person pass, if you are faster then you will get the opportunity to pass them back.  It doesn't matter what division they are in, expect at the very end of the race, then if needs be sprint it out to the end.  Do you really want to be on the podium knowing you hogged the trail and prevented 3 other people from passing you--were you really faster?

PASSING

1. Let the rider know you are coming. One of the best ways is holler “rider back” This gives the rider in front an opportunity to determine a good place to let you pass.

Last year during the Draper race, a rider behind me called “rider back” I looked ahead and found the perfect place to pull over – made my move, and he sailed right by. I was able to keep accelerate as soon as he went by. Both of us ended up in a good situation. Same thing happened at The Canyons race. Both parties are happy and very little if any time is lost.

2. Clearly state your intention to pass i.e. “on your left”, “on your right” “pass please”,. This lets the rider ahead know what you want to do.

Two years ago at Deer Valley race I had a rider approach behind me and due to my ear warmers that were on (it was about 25 degrees that race), all I heard was a mumbled “meer”. Not knowing what he said my reply was “what???”. He repeated himself with a little more clarity “pro”. My thoughts, “oh I think he wants to pass.” I let him by. As he went by I called out “I am racing too.” I get you are a pro and another fast guy is probably going to be coming up soon, but telling me what division you are in does not help.

A similar incident happened again last year at the Draper race. On my last lap heading up the little hill to the parking lot, where the lap and finish split is, a rider came behind me and said “expert”. At this point in the race I really could have cared less—I was sick, tired and just wanted to finish. My reply to his declaration of his division, “how’s that working for you?” Funny thing he never replied.

3. When passing wait until the rider ahead gives you the go ahead. This is for the safety of you and for the rider you are passing.

Last year at the Sundance race while I was riding Archie’s I had a rider pull up and tell me he wanted to pass. I looked ahead and told him just a moment, right up here. He yelled “no, now!” and then shoved right by me. I ended in into the side of the mountain and luckily he did not end off the edge of Archie’s. Not 2 seconds later another rider came up, he waited and we both had a safe pass. Really is it worth it?!?

GETTING PASSED

1. If someone behind you asks to pass let them pass! This is by far most the most important rule. If they are asking they are faster than you, LET THEM BY! Who cares if they are in the same division as you, who cares if it is a chick and you ego feels a little bruised, if you are faster then you will pass them back. Do you really want to win a race by hogging the trail and preventing the other three people behind you from passing!

Last year at The Canyons race I was doing pretty good, but eventually on the uphill I got passed. We hit some downhill and I passed people back. Then uphill again and I was passed. Final descent I passed a lot of people, one was in my division (who by the way I had let pass me on the up). She let me pass and I was able to fly downhill. Had she not let me pass it would have been dangerous for both of us, because I was riding right on her tail. She actually ended up beating me across the finish line, but we passed each other back and forth the entire race—now that is a race!

2. When riding narrow singletrack on a mountain side pull over toward the mountainside (hill/steep) and let the rider go around you.  If you go inside they have to deal with bushes and trees and may not get around.

These are a few of my thoughts or suggestions on passing.  Anyone care to add to the list???

In the Deep of It

Sally and I were supposed to go cross country skiing yesterday at the Sundance Ladies Day.  We drove up to the nordic center only to find it had been cancelled due to snow conditions.  Luckily we had a back up plan and decided to go snow shoeing.  So we kept going up the road and headed up to Aspen Grove.

The snow was powder and deep.  At one point I ended up in waist high snow!  I can't believe how hard it is to cut a path in deep snow--whew! 

Good Morning?!?

(Old pic) My puppies trying to convince me to get up.

I am not a morning person, and early mornings are my least favorite part of the day.  But if I want to workout I must get up early in the morning.  Why you ask???  Well mostly, because I have a full-time job that keeps me away from home until 4:30 pm and a family I need to take care of when I get home.  Of course I am pretty sure my family would be okay with me not being home until later and they would be totally supportive of me coming home late, but my conscience does not.  So this means I must workout in the morning and I am NOT a morning person--in fact, it is best to give me about an hour before you talk to me if it is early morning.

So this morning my alarm clock went off at 4:35 am and I began to have the typical morning conversation between the "it's okay to stay in bed" and the "get out of bed and workout" angel/devil.  The first voice "you know your tired, just sleep in for a couple of more hours and you can workout when you get home"  Then comes the second voice "get up and workout, you know you need to".  Back comes the first voice with pretty much the same thought of sleeping in and workout later.  The second voice "get up and workout, you know you won't work out when you get home".  First voice the same.  Second voice "get up and workout, you are fat and out of shape and there is no way you will get fast  if you don't work out."  The second voice is a bit more cruel and ends up winning.

I drag my body out of bed and gloomily get ready to ride the spin bike or something like that.  Eventually about 30 minutes into the workout I start to feel pretty good and by the end I am completely awake and ready to take on the day. And although I feel really good by the end of the workout, it still does not change the fact I am not a morning person and I wish there was a different time of day to workout.

So what do I need to do.  I need to find a way to make me a morning person (not likely this will change), or find another solution.  Any suggestions???

First Ski Day

The last time I went skiing was 16 years ago.  I was new to skiing then and only had the opportunity to go twice.  So when a friend told me about the great program they had at Park City I jumped at the chance for Mandy and I to go and learn to ski.

The instructors were great and I felt soooooo comfortable skiing.  I couldn't believe how quickly I learned to go down the hill.  Last time I remember skiing I distintcly remember the hills being very, very scare.  I can't wait to go back and learn more and get better so I can ski other slopes.

Best part of the day.  As I was practicing turns behind my instructor, a little girl in a bright pink coat whizzed right past me.  So cool to see my daughter burning down the hill with no fear.

Getting ready to go out for lessons.

 Posing as she comes down the run.