DSG 4.0

On the way home from another great weekend in Fayetteville, TN, Matt & I were talking about the race at which time he called me a pit piddler. At first I thought I should be offended. I mean, I walk into the tent refill my bottles and start rummaging through the bags to figure out what I should eat before going out again. This is my second 12-hour solo so I'm just not sure what I need to be consuming so that I don't bonk leaving me in a world of hurt. Bonking & cramping are the big unknown fears of endurance racing for me. Anyway, I realized that I really am a piddler . . . I'm usually 5-10 minutes late for work b/c instead of getting ready I end up finishing up laundry, dishes, sorting mail, blah, blah, blah! Anything to get out of the task at hand. Note to self: Stop being a pit piddler!

On to the weekend . . .

We look forward to this event every year . . . just an awesome event. Awesome friends, race, food, beer and always a great time. The week leading up to the weekend was horrible. I couldn't focus on work, didn't want to be at work, and when I was at work I wasn't working. I was just excited about a break. I don't have a hard life but sometimes you just need to get away.

We packed up Thursday night and Friday morning made the 4+ hour drive, camper in tow. We set up camp and then decided to go for a ride on the race course. There was a new section that wasn't part of the CrudeXC course so I'm glad we did the pre-ride. I'm not sure my mind would have accepted this little addition during the race . . . it was tough . . . 3 or 4 of long, steep ups so you could enjoy the fast downs! :)

They had a pasta dinner on-site but it didn't sound appealing so Matt & I went into town and had Subway. We had a few beers and called it a night. Race starts at 9am!!!

We got up & made some coffee before heading over to the pancake breakfast. I should have just stuck to my oatmeal but the breakfast was good. Once again, I started to piddle around b/c we had more than an hour before the race started. I think it irritates Matt but I don't like hanging around ready but having to wait.

There was the dreaded run start and surprise, surprise I ran right past my bike. Luckily Matt directed me to it! The laps start in the open field which surprisingly didn't kill me on the SS. The trail was in great shape and we knocked out laps 1 & 2.

Lap 3 started off fine in the field but as soon as we crossed the road into Lucy's loop it was just wet & sloppy. I didn't even know it had rained b/c we were literally just across the road where it hadn't rained. I kept pedaling, pissed off Matt when I made him fall, but eventually lost him b/c I was pissed that he was pissed at me (real mature, I know but that's how we roll!). I came up on a guy just cussing and dropping F-bombs b/c the conditions were similar to the previous year's mud fest/everything on the bike is ruined fest. I couldn't figure out why he didn't turn around if he didn't want to ruin another f-ing bike. His pissy attitude just made me feel better b/c at least I wasn't making a fool of myself. I trudged on with a NWGA Sorba-er Brianna who had participated in last year's mud fest. We pushed our bikes, slid down the hills but the mud made it impossible to ride a bike. Luckily, we were on SS but it still sucked. I hadn't seen Matt so I assumed he had turned around already. Brianna & I found an out and made our way back to the pit area. Matt wasn't there so I went ahead and cleaned off my bike (where f-bomb dropper showed up and continued his ranting and raving). There is NOTHING Grant & Clay can do about the rain so I think it's up to you to decide if you should just quit. Yes it's a pricey race but even if you quit, you could probably get your money's worth in free beer! :)

Anyway, Matt finished up Lucy's Loop and came by to clean up his bike at which time a re-route was started, eliminating the field and Lucy's Loop. Perfect! Matt & I rode lap 3 together then I let him go at some point on lap 4 but according to Matt crossed the finish line before hitting the pit just so I could have the faster lap time. This wasn't true . . . I wanted to cross just in case I decided not to continue. We knocked out laps 5 & 6 and decided to call it a day. I wish I hadn't taken so much time on lap 3 between the muddy start followed by a break, followed by the start of the short lap. I probably could have mustered up the strength to do one more lap so I'm still working on the mental game.

Back story on the female amateur SS class . . . there were 3 registered in this class but when I checked results after 2 laps, only one was racing. I thought I had a better lead than I did after lap 5 so I went out for six. Turns out she was in riding gears that day so in the end she was moved to the open women class. Even though I guess you racing everyone, even those in other classes, it was definitely great motivation knowing that I was competing with her.

We ended the night with a few beers with friends before calling it a night. The sound of rain woke me up early the next morning. Great, packing up camp in the rain is always fun. We had a little camper mishap as we were driving off though and ended up at Wal-Mart for a hacksaw and were on our way an hour or so later. When we got home we opened up the camper and dumped everything into the garage to dry out.

Another great mountain biking weekend!!! Up next is Memorial Day weekend at Dupont!