Weekend of Fun

Happy B-Day Peter
Happy B-day to us too

Sunapee

May 18th

Graduation Day

EFTA - Glocester Grinder

Having done one small mountain bike race this year, I was really looking forward to a larger more organized race. As we queued up at the start, there were over 100 riders across a multitude of fields.What was most surprising was the number of faces from cross. If the temps weren't so warm and the bikes so heavy, I might have thought this was a beautiful fall day in New England. On the line I noticed my field consisted of nine starters. Check off first goal of the day,top ten finish! As we took off, I wrestled my way into third wheel going into the woods. I followed the guy in second for about five minutes before making a move around him where I saw that the leader was gone. Our group felt still together so I just pushed the limit of speed and ability. There were numerous rock gardens that with more oxygen to my brain I would have ridden more carefully, but in the heat of the race there was no time for caution. About half way through the first lap, the course folded back onto itself and I was able to notice that I had a gap on the riders behind me. Pushing harder I started to pass riders who started ahead of me. I kept looking for the leader of my field, but it seems that he was gone for good. On the second lap I had settled into a good groove and was motoring along before a friendof mine from the field behind me caught me. Sean and I played leapfrog for about a lap before he pulled away for good. At that point I caught local legend Mo Bruno. We played off each other and kept the pace high enough to fend off anyone who may have been behind. After nearly 90 minutes of racing, I doubt that there was anyone getting stronger as the race wore on.

After crossing the line I immediately dropped off my bike from exhaustion. Mountain bike racing is ridiculously hard and I told Goody that it would be Wednesday before I thought that that was fun. The course was incredibly technical (more so for a roadie) and wet in some places. Especially the place where I stepped into a mud puddle and sunk up to my calf. A day later and I already am very happy that I raced. It's such a different experience then road or even cross. As of Monday I'm already thinking that it might have been fun. Final result was second place and 180 points towards the series title!