New Bike, New Dirt...New Challenge
If you are a mountain biker in the Southeast, you most likely have heard of the The Snake Creek Gap Time Trials (The Snake as it is more commonly known). The Snake is known for a few things...1) It is held during the most miserable time of the year...winter. Historically this series has consisted of three races. This year they made some changes and decided to only hold 2 races, one in January and one in February. The other change is that they went from two distances (17 or 34 miles) to three different race distances to challenge any racer (17, 34 or 50 miles)... 2) You WILL get "bitten" by the snake causing a mechanical, fall or injury.... 3) Brutal rocks and climbing! Let me state it again, brutal rock gardens! Preparation and training are a must for success. Most people get out on the course a few times before the series starts, learn the lines, take some notes, then start to second guessing their decision on the race distance. You know, the well prepared racer's approach. Not this Mother of 3! With a new bike, no course knowledge (other than what Craig tried to pass along in conversation..."watch out the for the root drop on Vomit Hill')...I was winging it. Family time during the holiday, plus Craig recovering from reconstructive clavicle surgery (whole other story), made the 17 mile option the logical choice. Trust me, the voices in my head were telling me to go big or stay home...50 miles or bust! Luckily, logic won...17 miler, here I come!
So, I tied on my number plate, clipped in and started the 3+ mile climb right off the start line. I had no clue what lay ahead. Midway up the initial climb, my Trek Top Fuel 9.8 and I were forging a relationship which only mud, sweat and rocks can form. With less than 40 miles of saddle time, I was still learning her handling and feel. No better way to really test a mountain bike than on a true technical, elevation prone trail. She impressed me with each passing mile, climbing with ease. The assistance of the suspension lockout and geometry that is only rivaled by a high school math teacher's ability, makes this bike a cross country beast. The rigid feel of the carbon fiber, combined with the light weight components, gave me an extra punch at the top of the climbs...oh, yes there are climbs! Climbs and ROCKS, lots of rocks...rock breeding rocks with baby rocks everywhere...The rollover and agility of the Top Fuel, left these rocks trembling in fear...well that might be a little much, they moved a LITTLE as I rode over them...BUT, trembling in fear sounds way cooler in my head!
 |
| Baby Rocks |
As much as I would like to say I rode perfectly, let's be realistic. Remember that part Craig told me about, "the root drop on Vomit Hill" and the aforementioned suspension lock out switch...yeah, I forgot to unlock it. I remembered it about the time the bike was riding me down the hill, instead of the other way around (Note to self...unlock, unlock, unlock). No reason to sugar coat it, crashing is part of the game.
Oh rocks...again! Not being familiar with the lines meant I dabbed more than Cam Newton in the end zone...a toe touch here, a toe touch there...I could have been trying out the for Chattanooga Ballet. And, then THE WALL, don't even get me started! I was so happy to see the fire pit and then the towers. From there it was the most exhilarating down hill road ride,enough speed to make me smile again.
Oh rocks...again! Not being familiar with the lines meant I dabbed more than Cam Newton in the end zone...a toe touch here, a toe touch there...I could have been trying out the for Chattanooga Ballet. And, then THE WALL, don't even get me started! I was so happy to see the fire pit and then the towers. From there it was the most exhilarating down hill road ride,enough speed to make me smile again.
In the end, I had a fantastic ride on a new bike on unfamiliar trails. Posting the second best time in the female 17 Mile class just fueled my desire to try harder. Since the first race I have been able to get on the course one more time to do the things that well prepared racers do. Saturday, February 13, I get another shot at the course. The bone chilling cold will be out in full force. Start time temperature is forecasted to be a chilly 25 degrees Fahrenheit with 10-20 mph winds. I will be ready to put my new Bontrager gear from the guys at Scott's Bikes to good use. Layers, layers, gloves, helmet, shoe covers, hand warmers...don't forget the pearls! I won't be caught without my pearls.
The Snake might try to bite me again, but it will have a harder time catching me, this time!
Stay focused on your goals. Mine...Family First! A positive outlook and family support, along with a "sweet ride," will make the rocks tremble in fear! Let's finish stronger than we started.
Mountain Biking Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment