Today was the second Fort Dodge XC Gravel race.What a world of a difference a new gearing can make in the outcome and feelings towards a race. Raised my gearing for today's race by 10 teeth going to a 42x16 over a 32x16 gear ratio. A whole heap better if I do say so myself. The race distance ended up being 21 miles thanks to a extra three mile loop added onto the same course we did last time. No drifts today, so that fun experience and advantage was gone but the wind wasn't quite as bad as the last race over there but it still established it's presence during the race. On the longest paved section on a stretch of wide open highway the wind was straight in our faces at 15-25 mph. It was a heck of a section, stood the whole time pushing on flat road. The end of the race proved interesting. Heading into the last mile I was well on my way to 6th place overall out of 11. Thanks to a missed turn by two of the cyclocross bikes in front of me I ended up 4th in a time of 1:10 for 21 miles. I ended up being the first true mountain bike to finish. All people in front of me were cyclocross bikes with gears. Again only single to start and complete the race. They keep saying I am crazy, I say I am just having a hell of a good time riding bikes. Great race again guys. Be back for the finally on Feb. 21st. All I have to say. OUT!
