Packed & Ready (Enough)

Bags packed, gear ready, bikes looking fine, me in a semi sober state of sexed up bike racin' lust. After many plans falling through to race in 2010 (see Southern Cross and Camp Hilbert and my inability to make the rescheduled dates), it feels good to FINALLY be off to one that looks to be on.

I can't stress how much for me the weekend is NOT really even about the race. I'm really not a competitive person. I don't care that much who makes it up the hill first, crosses the line first or has bigger balls. Sure, I will leave at least a few months of my life out on the race course, as well as some dinner from the night before, but the weekend, nay the week as whole is why I love this shit.

The anticipation is pretty sweet. The anticipation for a race is like a date with your finest lady love. What could happen is soooo different than what will actually happen, but that doesn't mean it's not fun to think about. I mean who knows? I could get c-blocked and DNF, I could make it to 2nd base finish mid pack, or I could go all the way and 82 other guys could get sick on cow patty juice and I could podium. You never know.

What I do know is that racing for me really comes down to opportunities to see old friends, meet new ones and ride my bike all day. Sure it will be several 8 mile loops and not one big ass loop which I so often prefer, but an attempt to ride all day on the bike nonetheless AND an attempt to justify all the time and money I spend on bikes. That's enough for me.

Weather looks OK for the race. Chance of a storm tonight and cool and windy tomorrow. Could get pretty chilly when the sun goes down. The cooler temps could help with sweat output, but could also hider my hydrating. I tend to not drink when I'm not hot, so forcing myself to hydrate according to time will be key.

Wifey and B-Man hope to come down and watch on Saturday, but any plans with outdoor activities and a six year old is often written in sand. If they do make it will be nice to see them. Even if it is for a few minutes in the pit every so many laps.

So in a few hours I will off to Leesburg to romp around in a field of cow patties and fast single track for the weekend. I could do 16 laps, I could do 1. All that matters is that there is dirt for my knobs.

Later.