Yelled out a ten year old boy while pushing his bike up the road that I was descending while on a ride last week. Too many thoughts came to mind for me to give the kid an answer as I rolled passed and down the hill. I figure today is a good time to let you all know where I’m coming now.
The NMBS #2 weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley was a tough weekend of hot and dusty racing action. After some bad luck at the NMBS opener at Fountain Hills I could only improve this time. My last row call ups didn’t help much, but at least it didn’t detract from the STXC too much. I was able to steadily work my way up through the field for the entire STXC. This was the first short track that I’ve finished without being pulled which was a big success alone. 25th is also the best result I’ve had for a one of these events too; so all in all, a good day on the bike.
Courtesy of my last row call up in the XC I managed to get stuck immediately behind a two person crash ten seconds into the race. With less than a split-second I had two options: Option A was to turn left and crash into the metal fencing or Option B was to smack into the downed rider at full speed, without time to even hit the brakes. I went with option B since the fence was mean looking. Over the bars I went as my front wheel stuck right between Brent Miller’s shoulders. I picked myself up quickly and the bike was still wedged into him and standing straight up into the air. I felt bad about the situation, but not much can be done over such matters when you’re racing. With some air back into my lungs I frustratingly started chasing the entire field as they pelotoned it over the flat gravel road around the vineyard. As the race spread out I picked off riders one or two at a time and this went on the entire race. In the end I had made my way back up to 35th, but without ever riding with anyone else out there. Essentially I had done a TT from the start and with the result I know that with some better luck in the start I’d have placed much higher. One of these days it’ll work out…
Of course some pictures are also due from the weekend.
I think Treefarm’s saddle height is taller than his car. What do you say?
Paul, in original Sova style, attempted to launch his bike off the Taurus after the STXC. Luckily Jenna’s saddle got in the way of things…
And Chloe has been training her game face with diligence lately. Well, on second thought, maybe her results indicate that she’s been doing a better job with the fitness than with the game face… 11th in STXC and 8th in XC. Very nice.
Until Fontana,
TJ
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