Broken Promises

A number of years ago, Chris and I were introduced to the Dry Canyon Loop. I don't remember how it happened, but it turned out to be a significant event. It is easily the most ridden portion of trail by the Holley's. It is the give-in for our choices of trails when riding at the mouth of the Provo canyon.
There is one portion of this trail though that has caused me some angst--the pipe. Chris started riding it not long after we discovered the trail. I was a bit apprehensive and would dismount and walk down and around it. As I felt I might try it, Chris discouraged me. If you are off balance it is a big drop. This was an easy out for me so I was indifferent. Then I started to feel as though I wanted to ride it. Chris continued to discourage me and had me promise not to ride it. I consented. I promised not to ride it.
Time continued to pass. More and more riders were riding it, while I continued to dismount. I knew I could ride it. I stopped even looking at it because of the aforementioned promise. What was the point? I started to get frustrated that I was not allowed to do it.
This spring has been especially frustrating for me in general. I don't know if it is the weather (i.e. lack of really nice weather) or what. I have felt more dissatisfaction while riding then ever before. Friday was especially tough. I was just angry while on my bike. And then we approached the pipe. Chris simply jumped on it and smoothly rode down. I dismounted, carried my bike down the rock steps, set my bike down, got situated, and started again. I had had it. Next time I was riding it.
Yesterday we rode again. Life and riding was better in general. I thought about when I would tell Chris my decision. As we approached the section of trail before the pipe I told him. I expected some heeding or words of caution. Nothing. Interesting. I rolled up onto the pipe and put a foot down. I just wanted to look at it from the top. I turned around and then Chris realized what I had said and what I planned on doing. He started scrambling around trying to put his bike down or something. I went up the trail a bit, remounted my bike and did it. It was smooth. I "smoked the pipe" as they say.

Smoking the pipe

Chris made me stop and talk to him for a bit after the stairs (the end of the next section of trail). He said that he wished I had not done that. Something about being worried or nervous. I told him I would be careful. He still did not seem too pleased.

The Official Soldier Hollow Race

First, I want to express my gratitude to the staff at Soldier Hollow and Ed for providing two different courses. It was readily apparent that they put in a lot of work to get these two courses prepared for racing. It did not go unnoticed.

Before

My race on Saturday was a bit funny in retrospect. I felt really good off the start. The top climb was nice and steady. Coming off the top was a little bit comical. I was just surprised at some of the difficulty individuals had descending the muddy, slick section. My assumption is they simply were stuck in their "fast" mode when really "cautious" mode was smoother and ultimately faster. The last portion of the lap was fast and rolling. Fun in a painful sort of way.

During

About half way through my second lap or so, I started to fade. I did not hit a wall, but slowly was losing ground. I was struggling. I think I may not have fueled well before hand being thrown off a bit by the late start. Please note, I was definitely grateful we started later as it had a positive impact on the course.

After: Dwight, Brad, KC, Chris, ET

So within one lap I went from first to last as Erica passed me right as we started the final lap. And then she proceeded to drop me like a stone. She did graciously offer words of encouragement as she went by.

Last place had its perks though. I was closest to the lucky number and scored a crazy cute Kuhl skirt. As skirts go, I think it is my favorite.

Chris on course

For the second week in a row, Chris and I were even in our placements, granted he had to beat more people than I did. A pair of threes last week and twos this week for the Holleys. 
And congratulations to Heather Clark on her race. Very impressive. While she thinks it was a bit of a fluke she did so well, I know she is going to fit in well with the Expert girls.

Sundance, Soldier Hollow, or Both?

This past weekend was the Sundance ICUP race. Unfortunately, Sundance was still under quite a bit of snow so the event was held at Soldier Hollow. Yes, that means we would race Soldier Hollow two times in a row. I am not so excited about that, but the course this past week was drastically different than the normal course which will be this weekend.
We pre-rode this new course on Friday. I was not sure what to make of it. Most individuals who raced the Wednesday night world cup, which was actually on Thursday, were not so impressed. The course on Saturday was much better. In fact, improvements were made between Friday evening and Saturday morning. In the end, it was not a bad route for a race.
My one qualm was the swamp section through the start. Why did we have to ride through the mud and gunk? We could have easily just stuck to the road and avoided it. Each time I rode through it I got angry. (Dan, that is my rant. Not so impressive, I know.)
Ultimately, I had a good day on the bike. On the start line, I thought it could go either way. I thought I might not feel so good and was pretty nervous. I had taken steps to  be recovered from 12 Hours of Mesa Verde and it seemed to work fairly well.
The weather was warm, but not too hot. Then about 10 minutes after we left awards, we noticed the sky was pretty dark. And within minutes, rain was falling. Not bad timing wise.

Waiting for awards w/ Chris and Tex

New Wheels

Actually the wheels are not new, but the ride is.
Part one of the great parts swap of 2011 is complete. New Trek Superfly frame, new Reba fork, new seat post, saddle (another Tioga Spyder), seat clamp, headset, bottom bracket, and Sram XO front derailleur, cassette, chain rings and of course chain. Re-used SRAM XX shifters, cranks, brakes, and rear derailleur, Bontrager stem and handle bars. Resulting in an equally fantastic ride.

Mesa Verde Again

We headed down to Cortez, CO this past weekend to partake in the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde. It is no secret that Chris and I enjoy the 12 hour duo format, but this is one of our favorite courses. It is held on Phil's Word and that Phil guy knows what makes for good great mountain biking. And to make it even better, there is a big contingency of local riders that also skip out on the ICUP race for this event.
My first lap was rough. I have had more lower back pain on the bike lately and it started screaming really early. I crashed about five weeks ago and messed up my shoulder pretty good. It ranges from achy to painful, but I think the soft tissue damage might be contributing to this. I had taken some ibuprofen, but I knew I was in for a long day. Luckily though we have great friends. Per the usual, we camped with Matt and Josh (2nd duo) and the compound expanded to include Larry (6th solo geezer), Dan and Chuck (3rd duo), and Bryan, Derrick, and Steve (15 men's team). This meant that Joan was there too.
Joan is great. And as a massage therapist (see J Mower Massage), she always offers to work on us. I have never felt the need, but this time I was willing to give it a try. The difference between my first and second lap was phenomenal. Not so much time wise, but I felt so much better. I barely felt my back and my shoulder felt better also. There might be something to this whole massage movement. My third and fourth lap definitely slowed and I was cooked by the end. I felt badly that Chris had to go out for a fifth lap.

Chris-KC

There was some stiff competition this year too. Not just for the overall but even within our category. I was pretty nervous the whole day. Chris was able to get us some cushion and I was able to not lose too much. Congrats to the many Mad Dog, Revolution, and other local teams.
And it has been raining all day today...just saying.