Race update........

It's time for another race update. This might be my last race of the season, since I will be out of town for Youth Conference, and the other remaining races will be out of state. I doubt I will make it to those.

Anyway, this course is one of the more challenging courses, since it has some very steep climbs, and the downhills are very narrow, twisty, and rocky. You have to be a very good technical rider, as well as a good aerobic rider to do well.

The race started well, and I quickly found myself in 6th place going into the first small climb. I was even passed by a guy that I consistently beat in every race that we had done together. I though to myself "oh no you di-unt!" That's when I put it in gear and passed him on that first climb, as well as a few others. Then came the loooong climbing part. The race organizer said that some of the climbs have a 20 percent grade going up. Very steep. I was riding side by side with another rider for a few miles, before he started slowing down. At this point, we were fighting for 3rd place.


Here I am passing the guy that eventually won the age group above mine. He slowed me up a bit on the downhill just before this shot, but eventually passed me again. No big deal since he isn't in my division.Here I am just finishing my second and final lap.

And the results...... I managed to hang on to 3rd place, for my first podium victory ever! And what did I get for my efforts? A sweet 15 dollar gift certificate to a bike shop, worth much less than the entrance fee to the race! Oh, and a ribbon.