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Tough day on the bike


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By Flynny - Posted on 25 July 2011

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Re: This ride meeting: 
2011 CTMBC Winter XC series #3
Status: 
Finished
Laps: 
5
Position (Overall): 
5
Race Category: 
A- 5 laps
Position (Category): 
5

I knew I hadn't done as much riding as I would have liked leading into this one but I was feeling pretty good and was reasonably confident.

I got off to a good start up the fire trail and entered the single trail in the lead and settled down into a tempo and rhythm I was comfortable with.

Back out on the fire trail Beggsie blasts past near the top of the hill. I was feeling good and thought of challenging but in my last race (round #1) I rode much better by just sticking to my own tempo so Beggs hits the main ST a little in front of me.

Behind me I hear Paul having issues with a stick in his drive chain. I chase Pete through the first bit of single trail and he maintains his lead, if anything extending it a bit. No worries, ride my own race. I really like the next bit of trail and can usually make up time in it.

Then I miss time a turn. One of those corners with the tree hanging out a bit on the inside. I normally slip through nice and close to the tree but this time I ducked when I should have weaved and side slam the tree hard enough to knock the wind out of me.

Sucking in the big ones I pedal on. Pretty soon I'm loosing time and Brett is on my wheel. I offer to let him pass but he says he is happy follow. Buggar, that mean I have to try to stay fast.

I get slower and it's not long before Richard joins us. I've gone from feeling pretty good on the bike to struggling big time. We take the new log jump fine but then I hit the double and just get it wrong and end up in the bush on the side of the trail. Brett and Richard give me a bit of a ribbing and ride on.

Glenn and Paul come through and I get going again. But I'm still not 100%. Kevin rides onto my wheel and not long after we go through transition for the first time he slips on past.

It wasn't to lap 3 where I start to feel good again. I settle back into a tempo and gain back a couple of spots but finish the race fairly well drained. I've really got to ride more.

Anyway a bad day on the bike is better than a good day in an office

Here's a bit of footage from the first lap, taken with the contour mounted under the seat looking back

http://youtu.be/tOzRVd4bKks

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