I was fortunate enough this weekend to be part of the team that headed out for the first downhill race of the Eastern States Cup series at Thunder Mountain. Inspired and led by Noah who is a three year veteran, Henry and Sam signed up for their first races in the Cliff Kids U12 (race for free!) and U15 categories. Downhill racing involves taking a chair lift to the top of the mountain and descending a steep and technical course. How steep? With an average gradient over 20%, once you’re descending there is often no out – in places it’s simply too steep and rocky to stand with a bike – as I found out on multiple occasions. Noah clocked over 30 mph at the bottom of his run with the pros coming down at over 40 mph. A cool and unique experience is that you are racing the course with the pros, the spotters whistles go as you clear sections just like you hear on TV, photographers clicking away as you navigate features, crowds at the bottom cheering you on as you clear the final jump. It was super fun. Massive respect for the technical skills and courage of Noah placing 10th, Henry placing 13th, and Sam who did not start his race but completed three pre-rides, burning all his matches before the race and learning how to dial it in for next time.
I also signed up for my first Enduro race. This involved six timed downhill courses that you have to get to riding your bike rather than taking a chair lift. There’s no time limit between stages and the race covered 26 km with 1200 m climbing in about 3 hours of cycling.
I was punching above my weight on the downhill courses – mostly black diamonds where I’m much more at home on blue/greens. I survived the first stage which involved a start off a steep rock roll in front of thirty-some pumped up mountain bikers waiting in line. There is no starter – you simply line up on the trail and when you get to the front – three deep breaths – trust the bike – go! Stage 1 had a lot of granular mud that covers your tires – feels great upright but one small change in your center of gravity and you’re on the deck. Many damp roots going across the trail and down the mountain made for some interesting body language on and off the bike. I came through stages 2 and 3 fairly clean, ran out of gas on stage 4 unable to synchronize brain, body, gears, and seat post on an up/down course. Sam joined me on stage 5, and after some intense carbo-loading, this made for the most fun stage. Stage 6 was the most technical and just before the start the heavens opened turning the course in to a rocky mud slide. I’d committed to finishing the race even if I had to crawl on my hands and knees – which wasn’t far from what my technique was now looking like. Fortunately it was raining so hard the photographers had taken cover.
How did I do? I came absolutely dead last of the 223 competitors who finished – and by a handsome margin. On the up side I was way ahead of the 21 riders who did not finish. I won my race which was to get across the finish line. I’m still buzzing. And I was reminded that finding the heart to overcome your minds obstacles gives you the courage and confidence to face whatever is next – this week’s NEHSCA race, first Enduro, next week’s school test, going to college, a tough day at work,…
See you at the races.
