What did I get my self into! 3100 feet of climbing in 10 miles!!! AHHHHHHOverall it was a successful weekend at the Decorah Time Trials. To start the weekend, it looked like it was going to be another one of those years. It rained most of Friday and then also part of Saturday. Got out on the trails on Saturday to mark the course with a good size group. Beverages and Food flowed as we flowed around the trails. Got the course marked by 5 p.m. so it was back to the house to get the bike prepped. All set to go, lowered my ratio from 32x17 to 32x18 to make it a little better in the mucky conditions. Sunday morning brought the threat of rain just across the border but no rain ever came, THANK YOU WEATHER GOD!!! I was there early enough to garner the 1st spot out of the gate. Race pretty much went as follows. Opened up nicely on the road leading to the trail entrace on Ice Cave Rd. Felt great going down the road, probably over did this a little though because the climb from there was absolute hell. Ended up walking all of the big climb on Boa as well as quite a bit of the climb on Mother's Day. Had a blast flying down the chute from the Glory Hole to the climb on Mother's Day, might be my new favorite downhill. Finally got to Wold's Peak and was absolutely gassed already and only in about 1.6 miles at this point. Struggling to catch my breath shot down to Captains, New Randy's and Luther XC to Death Valley where the party was really going on. A group of Locals decided this would be a great place to get obliterated and heckle/cheer on the riders. Good spot for me because it helped me relax a little bit. Climbed Rocky Road fairly quickly without much effort and into Dust Bowl where the real fun began. Climbing on Dust Bowl all of a sudden my right leg decided to cramp solid as a rock in the thigh. Great 30 min. left and a full blown cramp going on. Needless to say walked/ran most of the hills here on out, bombed the downhills as fast as I could just to make up a little time. Got to the finish in 58:06. 1st out 1st in, just the way I wanted. Nearest competitors came through in the next 5 spots. Ended up with the Overall Win finally!! Been trying for a couple of years for this after two consecutive 3rd place finishes a couple years back. Feel I am in great form right now heading into a long season. Many celebratory beverages that evening. Ended up walking away with the $150 cash prize and also a wonderful pull behind buggy to be used in hauling grocery's, Bailey, and other choice items in the future. Great to see everyone out at the trials. Average showing of 107 riders, which hopefully will grow with the introduction of us to the IMBCS. Need to try and figure out something about the Trials coinciding with the Iowa City Road and Crit weekend. So many mountain bikers down there instead of up at the Time Trials. That is about it. A couple of photos form the Time Trials and Sylvan Island courtesy of Julie Shockey. That is all! OUT!!
2010 Time Trials- No Clue where at!!
Foundation Jump at Sylvan!
Ready to Finish the Flat and Long Winding Course!