Sea Otter Classic-- the fastest women on the planet travel from around the globe to race at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. And this year I lined up with them.
Three years ago I lined up for 42 miles of suffering and experienced what it's like to race the fastest and what an experience that was. Three years had gone by and I learned a lot. This year I was more comfortable with what I was up against... the best are going all out.
The start line was like rolling up on a red carpet among the stars of the UCI elite XC race scene. The ladies were decked out in full sponsored kits, the latest and greatest bikes the industry has to offer, make-up, umbrellas, support crew members, and cycling paparazzi ready to snap a picture of the creme de la creme doing what they do best.
Everyone had call-up stating their sponsors and accomplishments. They reached the last 1/4 of racers-- the local grassroot shredders like myself, shooting for the stars and hoping they can hang in a different universe for the next hour of existing in another state of mind. I was last to be called up with a "rider 225" which brought back memories of being the last kid to be picked for dodge ball but still ready to put the best possible effort... probably to most stoked and with the biggest grin out there.
With a minor starter crash in the beginning of the short track, I stayed on my bike. "Sorry I hope you're okay!!" I flew on my Kona Hei Hei like a rocket to catch the pack. Everyone was already strung out but I used my thunder thighs to sprints across the tarmac and pass a few girls here and there. I could certainly tell my good DH times on the much heavier Process 153 had paid off but didn't quite have enough endurance to do anything better. However... it certainly felt good to hear a bunch of people yelling my name especially a bunch of little girls shredders!
The XC was yet another day on the red carpet and again, SECOND to last to be called up. I guess I earned some UCI points. Whoo-hoo! The count down began and I thought I'd sprint to the front on the outside and there I was, next to the leaders... for 5 seconds... until I started running out of fuel followed by a gravel pit which put me right back where I started.
Three years ago I lined up for 42 miles of suffering and experienced what it's like to race the fastest and what an experience that was. Three years had gone by and I learned a lot. This year I was more comfortable with what I was up against... the best are going all out.
The start line was like rolling up on a red carpet among the stars of the UCI elite XC race scene. The ladies were decked out in full sponsored kits, the latest and greatest bikes the industry has to offer, make-up, umbrellas, support crew members, and cycling paparazzi ready to snap a picture of the creme de la creme doing what they do best.
Everyone had call-up stating their sponsors and accomplishments. They reached the last 1/4 of racers-- the local grassroot shredders like myself, shooting for the stars and hoping they can hang in a different universe for the next hour of existing in another state of mind. I was last to be called up with a "rider 225" which brought back memories of being the last kid to be picked for dodge ball but still ready to put the best possible effort... probably to most stoked and with the biggest grin out there.
With a minor starter crash in the beginning of the short track, I stayed on my bike. "Sorry I hope you're okay!!" I flew on my Kona Hei Hei like a rocket to catch the pack. Everyone was already strung out but I used my thunder thighs to sprints across the tarmac and pass a few girls here and there. I could certainly tell my good DH times on the much heavier Process 153 had paid off but didn't quite have enough endurance to do anything better. However... it certainly felt good to hear a bunch of people yelling my name especially a bunch of little girls shredders!
The XC was yet another day on the red carpet and again, SECOND to last to be called up. I guess I earned some UCI points. Whoo-hoo! The count down began and I thought I'd sprint to the front on the outside and there I was, next to the leaders... for 5 seconds... until I started running out of fuel followed by a gravel pit which put me right back where I started.
I pedaled to my best capabilities and kept the rubber side down and climbed the climbs like a champ and descended on my light weight rocket-ship. Although I have tried my best to do what my hero racers do to get ready with commutes, lunch time gym workouts, and evening bike shreds, I could only do so much with a full-time job and honesty have been having far too much fun on the the big bike on the growing network of mtb specific trails in Blue Lake... sometime you have to except your place in the universe. All due respect, I had to meet and greet the ladies and congratulate them of their amazing efforts for I am aware the amount of training and research that goes into doing what they do. Kudos. Serious kudos. Having reached my likely best potential for elite XC, I cracked a beer with tequila at the Kona tent, spent a few rounds with a friend and kids on the pump track, and returned for the bunny hop competition and party at the campsite. I came to remember my place in the bike world and pretty sure it's not in prestigious, elite XC racing however, seven years ago when I worked for my first mountain bike ever I was determined to rock the world of mountain bikes... at least in my local community. Besides, racing and riding was never to be the best on the planet (although to become that would be pretty epic), but rather as a means to deal with life and everything it deals you and to share this with other riders and women. Racing and riding tears you down so you can build back up and be stronger, smarter, and healthier than anyone taught you'd become...
Before too long Sea Otter had come to an end and it was time to return to work and the redwood carpet of dirt and duff ready to shred with your buds. Flying with the stars was a blast and glad I had the opportunity and ability to do so. Huge thanks to Revolution Bicycles, Kali Protectives and Kona Bicycles to being totally RAD and endless support for my crazy MTB riding and racing shenanigans!! Brapp!
Before too long Sea Otter had come to an end and it was time to return to work and the redwood carpet of dirt and duff ready to shred with your buds. Flying with the stars was a blast and glad I had the opportunity and ability to do so. Huge thanks to Revolution Bicycles, Kali Protectives and Kona Bicycles to being totally RAD and endless support for my crazy MTB riding and racing shenanigans!! Brapp!