Mountain Biking - I think im turning into a SANDBAGGER!(1ST PLACE BABY!)

Well thats two races in a row i have gotten 1st, and today i totaly smoked the WHOLE feild of my class (beginers). I think i might have to move up to sport next season:D but since there are only a few more races for this season im just gonna be a sandbager kinda (not really) for the rest of this season and stay in beginers.

But man, this new Marin Quad riftzone i got is fast! and i think thats one resson i have been doing so well since i got it.

alright heres the race story, its not much becuase i was in front almost the whole time.
Come start i get up on the front line, then the sound is off. GO... I sprint off following 4 others onto the double track. then pass two and head off into the single track with still 2 others in front of me (10 feet away about), then comes a small but technical hill of about 100 feet. the lead rider miss shifted and had to bail out and walk, then the 2nd place man bails awell due to the leader in front.
so this was my chance to take the lead and go around them. at this point my competition was about 10 people back after i passed the front riders. so there i was in the lead of the WHOLE beginers feild on some fast singletrack with the rest of the riders way back due to the pileup on the hill. from there on i hualed A$$ to get a good lead on every one becuase there was still a long 2 mile hill climb ahead that i dont do well (did this course before) so i did what i do well and thats rip single track to shreads and decend hills like mad.
and so after that first part i was racing my own race becuase there was NO ONE in sight behind me. not till after that 2 mile climb did i see some one and he wasent even in my age group. but i had a good lead on him so he never cought up.
I Guess this race had a lot to do with luck due to me getting buy those poeple. but i still pushed as hard i i could and gave it my all.
but it was sure a fun race knowing i was first thw whole time, i had a big grin on my face once i started down the single track becuase i knew i would kick A$$ on the single track and technical stuff.

OK i know i know, that wasent to short but i could have been longer.
Just wanted to share the day :D

Later
Jonathan:beer:

Congrats...I think we have a natural :D...

LOL, way to get the hole shot and capitalize on it! :beer:

Thanks! I still cant get over the win :D this is awsome!

Bah! There were some SERIOUS sandbaggers in my first race. Like 4-5 guys that had no business being in beginner. I was in the beginning pack in the first sprint, but when the pack got to the singletrack it was one huge pileup to get through. Then jerks were crashing all over the place trying to pass and stuff.. it was nuts. The course was so muddy and torn up.. most of the climbs werent even rideable. It really came down to how was in the best shape to PUSH their bike, and who could keep from crashing on the downhills.. crazy race. Alot of people had serious mechanical problems, too. But if I'd sprinted a little harder and gotten into that first initial pack, I'd have placed better. But now I know! Too bad Florida's mountain bike racing scene really sucks.. it's hard to find a race within a few hour's drive for me.

ya, i know what you mean Jim. Im still a beginner. but there was this one kid the past few races (the ones i got 3rd in) that should not have been in beginners AT ALL he was a total sandbager. but last race he moved up to sport where he belongs.
But what was cool this race today was the guy that usualy beats me got a flat so thats one other resson i got 1st today, he was a poor sport to so i was happy.

i'm asumming a sandbagger is someone who races in a class below thier ability to place better?



how'd they get that name?

not sure, but im not trying to place better by being in beginner. i just happend to excell at this and here i am kinda needing to move up now... but not yet.:D

Someone wearing sandbags to ride slower to qualify slower. Then taking off the sandbags in the actual race and exploding...that would be my guess.

mabey has something to do with hot air ballons? sandbags hold them down? get rid of them and fly up? really high?

sounds like a logical explanation.

Congrats on winning, sounds like you rode a good race. Good job! :beer:

Oh yea....

Main Entry: 2sandbag
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1860
1 : to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags
2 a : to hit or stun with or as if with a sandbag b : to treat unfairly or harshly c : to coerce by crude means <are raiding the Treasury and sandbagging the government -- C. W. Ferguson> d : to conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage of
- sand·bag·ger noun :p

Wohoo...I had it right :D

lol :D

Hell, your not a sandbagger ... ... your a whole damn dumptruck!!! :p

Congrats on the wins. I say just stay in your class, win the over all and then look for some sponsors when you move up in class. Some will even sponsor beginners.

:beer: :beer:

Hey, nice job!! What race was that? I know you were racing the Falls City Firecracker, but that was 4th of July, wasn't it?

My first XC race was outside of Eugene, and my buddy and I thought "we aren't beginners, let's race sport!" Needless to say, I wish I had raced beginner. But from the sound of it, I definitely think you're ready for sport now, because even in my first race I finished about middle of the pack in sport. But I'm sure it does feel good to place 1st!:beer:

the firecracker race was a little after the 4th, this last one was at Mt,Hood where the alpine slides and stuff are.

Do you really think i could get sponsors? whats involed in getting one/some?

Thanks!
Jonathan

I'm not sure about sponsors probably until you've raced sport some... Then it doesn't hurt to write to bike related companies, you never know! I know that some companies like Michillen will sponsor people who've never even won a race. Also, local companies can sometimes be eager to sponsor locals, so check around at shops in Bend.

I was up riding Mt. Hood this weekend, and saw a bunch of rigs coming down the hill with race bikes... I should have known about it sooner!

Anyways, good luck! Glad you like the Marin.

I think sponsorship on a small leverl could work. Check with independent bike shops for example. Many non racers get sponsored here just because of their ability to network. They want professional, personable riders. Being the most skilled isn't always required to a company looking for exposure.

Just remember, it's not what you can "GET", but what you can "PROVIDE" that's important to a Sponsor.

Most involved shops have a race team. Many companies like TREK, Pedro's, and I think Bianchi, support "Grass Roots" teams.

First and foremost, you have to get some wins under your belt and make a resume of your accomplishments. Then you have to explain your goals and how Company "X's" help you can obtain these goals. Also helps to let them know how you plan to support them. Figure out which local and national races you plan to attend for the upcoming year. What non-cycling events you plan to go to a represent the company. If you have a website how you'll have a section devoted to your sponsors and how they've helped you and a link to their company....etc.

Just because your good, doesn't mean you have value. A mediocre racer that represents a company on on OFF the track is more valueable than a spoiled brat, sore loser racer that pitches a fit if he gets 2nd place!

L8R

cool