| This article goes out to all you aspiring mountain bike | | | | clipping-in to the pedal quickly, but guess what - it |
| racers. I want to tell you a little bit about my first | | | | took me a few tries this time and everyone was |
| mountain bike race, and maybe it will inspire you to | | | | passing me.After a half mile or so, we hit a nice |
| get to one yourself.Let's start from the beginning...I | | | | steep hill with plenty of switchbacks to separate the |
| picked up a form at my local bike shop, filled it out, | | | | field. I love hills, so I passed a few people, and |
| and sent it in along with $13. Then I re-read Ned | | | | chased a few more at the top. Then I ran into a little |
| Overend's book to make sure that I would know | | | | problem: my descending skills. It's not that I was bad, |
| what was going on at the race. I had no clue what | | | | but I was pretty inexperienced; everyone I passed |
| to expect at the race since I had never been to one. | | | | on the climb would catch me on the descent. After |
| All I knew was that I should pre-ride the course | | | | trading places with the same people over a few hills, |
| before race day.Well the week before the race my | | | | I knew I couldn't keep wasting my energy like that. |
| mom and I drove out to the location of the race | | | | So on the next downhill I just let the bike go. I had |
| looking for a state forest or a place with trails. No | | | | never had the balls to go so fast, and no one could |
| such luck. After talking to a local, we found out that | | | | catch me anymore!The race just kept getting harder |
| the race course is on private property and it is only | | | | as it went on. Everything was pretty much mental; |
| open for the day of the race. OK. The trip wasn't a | | | | I've never ridden so fast or been in so much agony! |
| total waste; at least we knew the directions and | | | | At least I could check my odometer and see that |
| how long it would take to get there. We drove | | | | only 4 miles are left!As the race went on, I was |
| around a few back roads, and I was able to get a | | | | passing people who were wearing team jerseys. How |
| feel for some of the terrain I would be riding.The | | | | can they be sponsored?Then I hit a nice downhill |
| race would be on Saturday, so I made sure to take | | | | along a pipe line. Very fun! Took a corner and... |
| Thursday off and get a decent ride in on Friday so I | | | | another hill!People start cheering for me at the base |
| would be fresh. (If you take a day off the day | | | | of the hill, which was kind of weird; I had never had |
| before the race, your legs may feel "dead" on race | | | | people cheer for me while I was out riding by bike |
| day.) Also on Friday, I tried to load up as much race | | | | before. Anyway, this hill is freakin' great! I couldn't |
| stuff as possible to save time Saturday morning.I | | | | feel the pain anymore, and I just started flying up |
| woke up nice and early Saturday morning and had a | | | | the hill because I knew the race was almost over. |
| large breakfast of apple cinnamon pancakes four | | | | (One good use for an odometer!)I got to the top of |
| hours before the race. Then I threw all my stuff in | | | | the hill, realized that there was a left turn and more |
| the truck and double-checked by MTB race checklist | | | | hill! Worked out perfect since I was able to pass |
| to be sure I had everything I needed.We left for the | | | | someone else. Then it was all fun downhill. The feeling |
| race, which was just a little over an hour away. The | | | | I had on the climb was truly euphoric. That's what |
| ride gave me some time to plan my race strategy | | | | racing is all about!As I near the end, people are out |
| and listen to some music to get me pumped up. | | | | on their porches watching the race and cheering me |
| Once we got closer I could see the riders warming | | | | on. After a sharp right, I cross the finish line. My mom |
| up on the streets. I saw so many nice bikes and | | | | is nowhere to be seen, so I take a cool down lap. |
| team jerseys; I was a tad intimidated.We parked | | | | When I came back to the line, some guy crossed it |
| over in the field with everyone else. Walked around a | | | | and his friend said that he might have made the Top |
| little and made it to the registration table. They had a | | | | 10 with that finish. I was puzzled. I was sure there |
| packet for "Levin Bloom." After they changed that, I | | | | was a pretty big crowd of riders ahead of me.Then I |
| changed into my cycling clothes and started to warm | | | | simply waited around for a couple hours (nothing |
| up for 20-30 minutes. (By the way, when I changed, | | | | unusual) as results were compiled, and enjoyed a nice |
| I found a little bathroom under a pavilion. Normally | | | | shaved ice and some free water during the wait. And |
| you just change at your car.)I tried to practice my | | | | yes, I did change out of my nasty, sweaty |
| start and my finish since they were in the same spot. | | | | uniform.Finally, the trophies: I got 5th overall, giving |
| It's always nice to know if there are any sharp turns | | | | me a 1st in the 16-19 age category, and earning |
| or other surprises close to the finish, especially if you | | | | myself a nice little trophy to go with my free t-shirt. |
| are duking it out for first place.I made it back and | | | | Wow!Then I went home with the first trophy I could |
| people were starting to line up so I jumped in about | | | | be proud of! I love racing!Levi Bloom has been racing |
| three or four rows back. The race director had to | | | | bikes for about 3 years now. He is also the founder |
| give a quick speech at the line about race etiquette | | | | and owner of Bloom Bike Shop and Check out for |
| and the like. Start! Here we go! I had been practicing | | | | more useful bike info and bike repair tutorials. |