The Race Year: 2011

This week hasn't had a lot in the way of riding but it has given me a bit of time to reflect on my 2011 race season. This season in a (made up) word was... goodgreatish. There were no amazing results, but it had a variety that my race seasons never have had and that not only spiced up the season, but increased the challenge.

The challenge of entering the world of XC racing after years dedicated pretty solely to XXC racing, was a challenge for sure. XC is to me was cross is to many others. It burns and hurts in a way that is different than endurance racing and when I'm doing it I can't wait for it to be over and then when it's over I can't wait to do it again. It's an addiction of sorts. It felt great to do it.

I have trouble saying which of my 13 races was my favorites, they all had some good parts, but in the end I think the middle distance XXCish Ore 2 Shore was my favorite. There wasn't much singletrack, but it was a race that I just felt "on" the entire time. No great result, but just a beautiful day in the saddle on a variety of dirt in the U.P.

Close second and 3rd comes the Ron van Stony and the Log Splitter XC. The RvS was a gravel race that I did on my CX bike, and just in the zone again for this one. There was cool temps, mud, and I was pushing hard the entire time, dragging some other folks with me. The low light was missing a turn at the end that cost me some places, but it didn't take that feeling of crushing some nice Michigan gravel away for too long. The Log Splitter was sort of like Ore To Shore. A variety of singletrack ski trails, double track and dirt roads. Again, no great result was had but I felt great the entire race and was even flying though the singletrack... a litte TOO fast actually as I missed a turn and had to backtrack. That seems to be a theme with me. Get in the zone, blow through signs and have to backtrack. GRR!!

The Hanson Hill 100 was pretty sweet too, as I got back on the hundie horse for the first time since 2009. I thought that wold carry me through the Lumberjack a few weeks later, but the heat and some dehydration had me bailing after 70 miles. Anymore once I know I'm dehydrated I tend to not want to risk too much with my thick blood and tendency for clots and DVTs.

You would think that the Iceman would be my most hated race. I had some serious bad luck with a flat just a few miles in. But actually I was pretty happy with my ability to deal with the bad luck and try to get myself back to the finish for a respectable time. I think it's sort of a tie between my Lumberjack DNF and the Yankee Springs TT. Yankee should have been great; my pre ride the week before I ripped off 3 great laps in good time in great conditions. Race day it was like 20 degrees and blowing snow. My legs felt like shit and I had little desire to race. But I did and got bitch slapped pretty good.

Hmmm... NO, the ball suck race award goes to my performance at Boyne! Damn that race hurt! I was all over the trail, got dropped fast, and each lap I thought about quitting. Somehow I finished, but I was less than thrilled with my performance, so yeah the Boyne Marathon wins the ball suck award. No wait... Lumberjack does. A DNF gets and automatic ball suck award.

I raced 13 races this year and rode literally thousands of miles, yet I found my now 40 year old the heaviest it's been since 1992 or so. Strange that with this weight gain, I was still fit and raced more than ever. While I hope that I am a few pounds lighter next season, I'm not gonna beat myself up about it. I'm still racing, still riding, still having a great time, my clothes still fit and I still get to fight crime on a semi-bi-weekly-full moon cycle basis. What's to complain about? Looking forward to next season and continuing to leave my comfort zone. Including trying out some new things like possibly stage racing at altitude. We shall see.... The Barry Roubaix and the start of my 2012 season will be here before I know it. I better start riding again PDQ!

Later.