For the Pre-amble see this post
Still kind of discombobulated from the realization that I was only going to have a front brake for the day I went ahead and lined up with the Intermediate class (probably should have signed up for open but now I know). We made some small talk at the line and then they started letting the classes go in 30 second intervals. It wasn’t long before it was our turn, Joe joined me in the SS intermediate crowd as he just built up a similar Ti Salsa Timberjack. The race started up a double track climb a small group of 4 of us took off and quickly got away from the rest. The climb led to a flowy downhill that dumped into a tighter section before popping out into the start/finish area. That tight section was where I realized this was going to be interesting without that rear brake. Joe stayed tight on my rear wheel all the way down and it was obvious I was really holding him up. Also, very obvious how puckered my rear end parts were. These descents were going to be rough, I quickly decided there was no reason to push it when it came time to descend.
We passed through the finish and into some more trail, mostly flowy, back past the start area and started a gentle sort of climb up some smoother trail. Staying close to Joe, we picked up rider after rider and kept on the gas. It was fun riding with someone while we made pass after pass. We stayed together until the trail turned down, the first descent was pretty smooth/flowy, not too bad with only the one brake but I wanted to feel it out and not push myself into a dumb mistake so I was keeping it clean. Quick turn up into a rooty steep climb. Passing a bunch of folks in here and managing to catch back up to Joe before we finished up the steep climb. Then we turned down the GNCC trail. A trail that looked amazingly fun with two working brakes. Multiple bermed lines, ruts, steepness, just pure unadulterated fun. Unfortunately, this is where I said goodbye to a lot of riders and a lot of time. I quickly found out how much I rely on my rear brake, whether for actual riding or just comfort. I was all out of sorts and deep in my own head. I think one could probably ride alright with just that one brake if you practice and had great form, that wasn’t the case for me.
Anyhow, after giving back any possible time I had made up it was time to get back on with it. Back towards where we started for a super awkward right hand 140ish degree off camber turn back up a hill where I first realized Keith has a voice that can really carry as someone yelled “oh come on…you can ride that…what are you doing?” which got me back to smiling. Back up the doubletrack climb past a bunch of friends cheering which is always fun when you’re starting to hurt. At this point I knew I was just out there to push hard climbing and then cruise downhills so “racing” wasn’t necessarily my thing. But I could probably work on some things. So, I did what I could to try and be methodical. Climbing and pushing in a controlled manner, or as much as you can on a singlespeed, being cheery to riders around me, and you know just having fun.
The lap was largely climb climb climb then descend for a bit. The climbs felt pretty good, I’d catch a handful of folks only to let a good bit of them pass me on the way down.
After my 2nd Lap, I heard 2 to go…checking time, doing math, this was trouble. Lizzie’s swim lesson was at 1:30 and about 30 minutes away from where we were and I was supposed to take her straight there while Katie took Chris home to meet up with some folks right at 2. If I had to go for another lap that was really going to put me in danger of messing up the plans. What I needed was the leader to catch me since as soon as the leader finished their 4th lap everyone else would be finishing. So I kept looking for someone really fast to be coming up behind me. Fortunately, most of the way through my lap I did end up getting caught, I had already kind of made peace with not finishing but I was glad to do it the “proper” way.
As I came to the line both kids and Katie were there ringing the cowbell and cheering, which is always really hard to beat. I finished in just enough time to get a real quick cool down in before rushing to change and get back to the pool for Lizzie’s swim lesson. Which we were only 2 minutes late for. So, all and all it was a pretty good day. Mechanicals are always a little disappointing but it ended up being a really fun and productive day so it’s really hard to complain. Happy to have a great bike shop in Sycamore Cycles to get me a new brake lever on the way first thing Monday morning.
It was a lot of fun getting to see some friends out racing bikes again. The sycamore crew had a good showing with folks in a bunch of different classes all getting out and getting after it. The folks who weren’t racing came out to cheer the other’s on. XC races still may not be my “favorite” races but they’re certainly fun.
