|   Napa Dirt classic thoughts | Roger
Apr 22, 2002 10:25 AM | | "Hmmmm," big class upon standing for the start.
"Ohhh yeah," upon being in the top ten entering the dirt.
"Uhhh ohhhhh," upon getting passed by a crap load of riders into the first climb and watching Weir mashing the hell out of some huge gear and disappearing.
"Where'd hell they go?" After hitting the flat fire road by the airport and the group was already ripped apart.
"FU and your gears are faster theory!" As I ran past six geared riders in the uphill single track.
"Damn I love this course! Woohoooo!" Ripping the ST in the woods, so much fun.
"Watch it!" As me and another SS racer pass a geared rider who not looking swerves into me (drafting first rider) and takes me out!
"Huuuuuuuuu!" As me and the geared rider tumble in a ball of flesh and steel with him landing on me, and all the air in my lungs being forced out.
"Wake UP! Geez!" As I scramble to my feet and jump on my bike. Leaving the guy sitting in the dust.
"Why's my fork stiff!?!?!?!? Uh oh!!!!" Upon realizing that my fork no longer had any travel and was blown.
"Oh that's nice!" As I realize that's blood running down my arm onto my leg not sweat.
"Oh yeah, that's why I don't ride rigid anymore." After my teeth are chattering trying to pass a guy with no line in the ruts on the left down one of the steep descents before the steep climb.
"I wonder what hurts worse?" Me walking or riding.
"In the every day world I'd get slapped and be called a pervert. Today I get a thanks!" Upon giving a nice young female racer a shove on the as$ to keep her moving (she's riding while most walk)up the nasty steep hill.
"It's almost over!" Upon cresting the top of the steep climb.
"It's over, thank goodness." upon hitting the pavement before the finish line.
Total stats.
Placing: don't know.
Time: don't know.
Wrecks: Two
Injuries: banged up shoulder, banged up hip, cut open forearm, bruised pride.
Bike damage: Nice scratch on the chainstay, torn grip, and a blown Manitou Black fork.
Can't wait till next year.! |
| Crashes and burning legs | bikermom
Apr 22, 2002 11:08 AM | | What a race. Hard. I guess I had different expectations. I was fortunate to not actually crash, but I did ride over one young guy's bike who went down on a corner ahead of me.
I witnessed so many crashes though, I was figuring it was only a matter of time. I got pushed off my bike once onto some poison oak in that very tight tree-hugging singletrack, but not really a crash. I was able to maintain my balance coming down some rooty rocks, but managed to stay upright. Some wood nymph angel was with me I guess.
As for that steep climb, it was ssssooooooooo dang long. It did hurt more to walk than ride, but it was hard continuing that saddle-where-the-sun-don't-shine steep riding. Hard hard work.
Too many folks out on the course for my taste. It sure was a beautiful place though. Is it legal riding, do you know?
Sorry about your dog. My sister and her family are sheep ranchers, and I know how that goes with dogs. It's sad, but they become just like any predator once they take that first bite. Good luck on finding it a new home! Good job in that race too with a rigid fork. Owww.
Do you know why the times were so much longer last year? Just wondering.
Racing hurts. But, I am ready to do it again.
bikermom |
| Thanks for your thoughts about Eli | Roger
Apr 22, 2002 11:59 AM | | We're hoping to find a nice place for him.
I think one reason the times are longer is the race itself seemed a lil different. Besides not doing an additional open fireroad section by the airport at the beginning, they took us into the single track a different way and it also appeared there was a new section of twisty ST that they added in. |
| Cool recap. | JFR
Apr 22, 2002 12:00 PM | | I liked the style of quotes and explanations. |
| Fun course... | Kilowatt
Apr 22, 2002 1:36 PM | | ...that will kick your a$$! I've ridden that course many times and raced it once. Great write up and hope you heal quickly. |
| re: Napa Dirt classic thoughts | Mikey
Apr 22, 2002 3:11 PM | | Nice recap. That's a fun place to ride (and race). 22 miles would be too harsh for me - I did the Howell Mountain Challenge there last year (beginner) and one lap was plenty.
Seems like they shake up the route for each race. The HWC started AT PUC, with a climb up to the airport, and the whoop-de-doos near the end - but at a race I did there before (Napa Knobular I think) it started in a field by the airport, and the whoop-de-doos were at the beginning. |
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