Sundance Spin

Usually I do not lack ideas of things to write about for a race, but this race I am not exactly sure what to write.  The race was great, and it was so great to see everyone again.  I have missed racing with the team and against other teams.  We got our new kits for Mad Dog which are great looking, except for one thing.  There is white on the side of the short which accentuations my legs--the one place I don't like to draw attention to.  Oh well, we'll just pretend they make me look like I have power legs.

For the race there were only 5 in my division, it made it easier to know who was ahead of me.  I planned at the start line to take last, which may sound defeatist, but actually it is more realistic.  Going up the initial hill was kind of hard.  I pushed as hard as I could, but my pace was less than stellar.  The next group of racers, and the next group began to pass me.  You could say this was the theme for the rest of the race, I think I was passed by someone in every single division.  I am glad I had a bad mental lap last week, because it made getting passed a lot easier.  Not that it is easy, but I didn't come down on myself, which made the race a lot of fun.
On the start ready to go.

My race went well.  I rode and tried, and didn't realize it, but there was one girl only 2 minutes ahead of me.   So close and yet so far.  The new route was tough, and the service road hill climb was a killer.  This was one place I was very proud of myself.  I was determined not to get off my bike--I was going to ride this no matter what, and I did.
Great photo by Reed.

This race was hard, but fun.  I ended up not taking last much to my surprise.  I don't remember exactly when I passed one of the girls in my division, but I did.  I had one minor mechnical where my front wouldn't shift.  I had to stop and fix this, because going up in my middle cog was not an option.  Other than that all was good.  Except for one thing.  Coming downhill on the 2nd lap I became incredibly hungry.  I was so hungry all I could think about was food and my stomach growled.  Not quite sure what to do about this, I have never gotten hungry while riding during a race?!?
Across the finish.

The best part of the race, all the friends cheering me on.  I couldn't have made it through without their support.
Keith trying to get the team together for team photo.

One of many good photos.

Team playing around

Mistakes

A friend of mine once told me a mistake is never stupid if you learn from it. Today was full of a lot of mistakes that I definitely learned from, used to help me, and hope to never repeat again.

I went up today with Wendy to pre-ride the race course for the race this Saturday. Although the trail was not marked we had a map marked with all the different trails we had to take. The first of the course was pretty easy to follow it followed the same route of the Icup race at least until you hit the dirt road that goes up hill, and then it changes. Instead of going up switchback alley, you go down. Well, I didn't catch that and we went up switchback alley, got to the top and realized we had gone the wrong direction.

We went back down switchback alley, but did not realize we needed to cross the road and go down. Instead we continued up the road to the chair lift. We got to the chair lift looked at the number and once again realized we had not gone the right way. We lucked out and talked to one of the guys who knew where we were supposed to go, and he set us straight, so it was back down to switch back alley, and down we went. This downhill is very fun and fast, in fact it is so fast you can miss the camouflaged trail you must turn right on. Which Brian and I did (forgot to mention we picked up another rider pre-riding the course along the way), but luckily Wendy did not. We went past, but it wasn't long before we heard Wendy calling us back.

Can you see the trail you are supposed to go on. It's straight ahead.

It turns out it was a good Wendy stopped where she did, because when we climbed back up she was standing right over my multi-tool. Apparently my bag had come unzipped and it had fallen out. How lucky we had missed the trail. If we hadn't it would have been ages before I knew my multi-tool was gone. I got the tool zipped up my bag and took off down this new trail that has seen very little use. For a trail that has not been ridden much it rides really well.

We lucked out and for the next few turns we were able to go the right way. We did miss a turn that took us up to Speed Trap, but we figured that out and were good to go. Now came the next complicated part finishing in the right place. Apparently somewhere there is a trail that ends just above the upper parking lot. We took one way and ended up just before the top of uphill climb that drops into the single track--this was not the right turn, so we turned back. We continued down, but I never could fine the place we needed to go, so we ended up dropping down onto the road. Oh well, I guess I will find out the ending on race day. I sure hope they have it well marked.

When we got back to the car I reached in my bag and realized my keys were gone! I can't believe I didn't think of this when I put my multi-tool back in. Oh well, at least I had a good idea as to where they might be. Wendy went down to the office, while I took off back up the hill. Going up I got to thinking about some of the mistaken trails I had taken and decided there might be a quicker way to Switchback Alley. I took the trail just to the right of the road which took me to bobsled. Now bobsled is a fun down, and today I discovered not such a bad up, but you must be on your guard for the down hillers, because there are a lot of turns and it can be precarious, luckily for me there were no incidents on bobsled.

However, this turned out to not be the case going up speed trap. I am not sure why it has this name, but you can get some serious speed on this trail. Just as I was coming up the steepest part of the hill a downhiller rounded a corner flying down crazy fast (a minimum of 25, but I am sure faster). The trail was gravely on one side of the road, so both of us were on the same side of the trail. I was not going fast enough to cross the trail, and he was going way too fast to do much of anything. I had just enough time to say "oh sh*#" and turn my bike towards the opposite side of the trail, but the turn was not enough. The downhiller collide right into the side of my shoulder and face. I actually did not go down, but the rider went down hard into the bushes.

He was a sweet kid and kept making sure I was okay. I was not sure as I did not quite have my senses about me, and I lost my hearing in my right ear--boy did it hurt. After a moment I decided I would be fine and let him know. He kept making sure I was okay even though he obviously had hurt his hip. Nice kid. I left continuing up speed trap tentatively and feeling the throbbing in my head and ear, which has stayed for the entire day. It was not long after that I got to switchback alley. From here I went down very slowly seeing if I could see my keys. When I reached the spot I had found my multi-tool I laid down my bike did some hiking to see if I could see them anywhere. No such luck. I never found my keys, but at least I tried, so I feel pretty good about that.

I hurried back to my taking Archies backwards--it is kind of weird going on Archies backwards, but it sure is fun, because it is a lot faster. I got back to the parking lot, and there was my husband with the spare set of keys. I had called him before I took off to look for the other set. Went to rack my bike and discovered my bag and come unzipped again and I had lost my multi-tool. Oh well, no need to go back. It was a fun ride, and I am glad for some of the mistakes I made, because I knew a quicker way up to switchback alley, however I will probably not take this way again, because I really do not want to get hit again, and I am definitely buying a new bike bag.

Sundance Spin

Mandy's Race (from the words of Mandy)

Hi!!!!!! So I don't think that I did to well my race but I did rocked the down hill. On my race I came in last place, hey that rhymed was it timed? hahaha (-: ! SMILE! Even though I came in last it's ok because I had fun on the down hill which means I had fun and that's what it's all about having fun. In the beginning I was ahead of Dakota my friend but then I had to walk my bike and she passed me. Later on she stopped but I had to stop to get a drink of water and then I took off and then Dakota went off to and I lost sight off her. So much for that. I also got lapped in a weird way. Tons of grown ups kept on saying good job and I kept on thinking no I'm not. The good thing is I finished and that's the good part.

(mom's words)

Mandy did a good job at her race despite coming in last. Her down fall is the up hill, Mandy does not shift down when going on her bike. On her second lap I rode with her, and she refused to shift past her middle gears on her back cassette, so she ended up pushing her bike all the way up the paved hill. If only she would shift! When we got to the top she did great on the downhill. She had not pre-ridden it at all, and she made every switchback without so much as a foot down. There was a lot of encouragement from other racers which I thought was great, and I was proud she did not quite, because she could have stopped and not done another lap, knowing she was dead last.

Two good things happened from this race. KC Holley talked to Mandy about shifting and I think Mandy actually listened, and today she wanted to register for a lot of different sporting activities for the summer so she quits sitting on the couch--so we did! She wants to be fast again and knows she has to do more than sit on the couch.

My Race

It was the perfect day for the race--good weather, great trail conditions, and lots of fun competition. This race Ed started the beginning women and 35+ together. As we were lining up, my shorts got caught on my seat as I was trying to get prepped on my bike. I announced this out loud, which brought some laughter and Ed letting me know I had 30 seconds to get my shorts uncaught. I got set up and then we were off. As we took off both Jen & Gigi's shorts got caught on their seats!

First of the race taking off-nothing but smiles!

At the first of the race of few of the gals took off full steam ahead on the hill--a little too fast. I could tell they were not going to last on the hill, and they didn't. Heading into the dirt road I picked up the pace as Jen was in front and I wanted to be at least second position on the singletrack. This did not happen, just as I was going onto the singletrack a beginning woman rider (Tiffany)slid past me, and tore off down the track. Since she was ripping it down I was not too worried as I knew she would not hold me up. This did not happen for long and it wasn't long before I ended up needing to pass Tiffany. At the right moment I slid past her and continued pounding on the pedals hoping Jen was not too far ahead.

On Archie's Loop I saw Jen ahead and was happy to know she was not too far ahead. I kept going not knowing how close anyone else was behind me. As I hit the trees and started to hit the switchbacks once again I saw Jen. This is good, she is still in my sights. The one thing about this course is you can lose sight of your competition, they could be 10 seconds ahead of you and you never know it because you can't see them. I decided Jen was only 10 seconds ahead of me and kept going hard.

On the uphill and on my way to the double track I came upon a female sport rider,and let her know I was not in her division. Her response was "okay". I let her know again, and let her know when there was a chance to let me pass. She said pass and I went to pass. She did not move over on the trail in the slightest, even though there was room, so I ended up trying to ride around her. As I rode around her bike hit my handle bars and I ended up down on the ground. I quickly got up and went on. The crash let 3 riders (not my division) pass me, 30 seconds later I ended up passing 2 of them back. What a waste of time.

It was not long after my mishap that I reached the double track. It was here I really began to push it and tore up the hill knowing Jen would pick up her pace here. I never did see her, which made me wonder how far she had gotten ahead of me. Continuing up to the top it was only me and another Mad Dog rider that I saw in the trees. We were both going hard trying to keep our competition at bay.

There was such a great feeling reaching the top and knowing it was downhill from here. The only drawback was I was shaking so hard by this time that I was not steady on my bike. I actually had to go a little slower on the top switchbacks than I would like so I could avoid the possibilty of crashing. Towards the end I felt much better and was able to pick up my speed around the turns. It was near the end a female rider came up on and asked to pass. I asked what division and there was no response. She asked again and again I asked what division. This time she let me know she was beginning. I gave her a spot to go by on my right--it was a spot near the end where the trail has a short split left and right into a turn. Unfortunately she did not go fast enough and as I went in to the turn she started to go in and our tires crashed together as both of us slammed on the brakes. Without losing a beat I kept riding and told her we were near the bottom and she would be fine as no one in her division was close. Not 20 seconds later Chris Holley came up on me I gave him a spot to pass and low and behold the female rider took that same spot. Smart girl, it turned out it was Tiffany. I stayed on her tire as we went down and we came onto the pavement one, two. It was at this point I hit a good pace and passed Tiffany and others heading up the hill. I love hill climbing!

I kept a good pace uphill and turned to make sure no one in my division was sneaking up behind me. I didn't see anyone so I kept the pace. Right towards the finish line Tiffany sprinted by me. At first I didn't care because she was not in my division, but then my pride got the best of me and I sprinted, but it was a sprint too late. I came in right by her, but my tire crossed after her. There is nothing like pride to drive a person across the line. Later I joked with her and told her there is no sprinting at the finish line unless someone is in your division. Please...I was already tired enough without having to sprint.

As far as the holter monitor, I ended up pushing the button near the first of the uphill, throughout the entire race, and after the race. I had great symptoms, and I am hoping the read will prove hopeful.

Oh I ended up 2nd, beating my time from last year by 3:48, and Jen came in first beating me by 3 minutes. That girl totally rocks, but I am starting to ride my bike again, so Jen...watch out!

2009 Team Mad Dog--Mandy is missing in action doing her race.

Cross Country Skiing

I went cross country skiing today for the first time. Dot and I took Joey, Johnny and Mandy up to Sundance to try it out. This was the very first time for Mandy on skis and my first time on cross country skii. Oh, and my first time on skiis since 1993.

Mandy did great. We started out with a little bit of a struggle trying to figure out how to go forward, how to get our selves unwrapped fomr skiis twisted around, how to get up after falling down and how to go down hill. As time went on Mandy got better and better, and so did I, but not as much as her. Mandy was all for going downhill and was not worried about falling or anything else. Me I went downhill sitting on my skiis. Eventually (the very last hill) I was able to stand, but it took a lot more practice than Mandy.

The skiing was fun and I can't wait to go again.

Mandy trying to figure out how to stand up.

Daydreaming about the fun she is about to have.

Johnny checking out all the skiis.

My first fall as I tried to navigate down a very small down slope.

Having fun skiing. Johnny leading the way.

Sliding down the hill on my skiis. Mandy & Johnny went down standing up.
Finally learning to navigate down the hill.
Joey showing me how to go down a hill.

Ride Like a Girl

Tonight Jolene and I met up at Mad Dogs in Orem to participate in the Ride Like a Girl group ride. KC Holley led the group. Besides me and Jolene there were five other women who joined the group--Katrina, Patti, Kody, Noelle and Heidi. Our ride destination was a surprise until we met at Mad Dog where once gathered together we found out we were going to Sundance. Sundance is a fun place to ride and I was excited to find out this is where we would be riding.

Once we got to Sundance we completed the necessary paperwork, got our ride/lift wristbands and headed to the lifts. This was probably the worse part of the whole night. I hate ski lifts, ferris wheels and anything else that has me up high. I rode with Jolene and Katrina. Luckily for me they kept the conversation going and I could look at them and not think about how far up we were as I kept a death grip on the bars. I was very relieved once we were on ground again. Prior to going down the road to the trail KC gave us brief instruction on how to ride on the gravel. I understood what she said, but it still didn't make me like riding a gravel road. At the trail we then received instruction on how to maneuver our bikes on a downhill switchback. Downhill switchbacks are probably my least favorite thing to ride. I always get tensed up an end up going around them at granny pace. KC taught me a couple of things I had not been told before, and I immediately put them to work. I found by using less of my front brake and more of my back brake I ended up going around the switchback more easily and not with the stutter, jerk motion I tend to end up doing. I also found my speed was more consistent through the switchbacks. Sometimes this made me nervous as I am not used to staying at a consistent speed. Usually I am so slow I have to pick up my speed. Sundance has a lot of switchbacks and we got a lot of practice on them. We also got to go over a log pile(which was fun), rocks and do a little bit of climbing. By the end I actually was starting to feel a little bit more comfortable going down the switchbacks. So much so, that when everyone parted their ways, Jolene and I took off for a ride up the hill and did a short ride, with of course, more switchbacks. Here are a few pictures from the ride with some of the riders.