First mtb ride = First mtb race
 

Have an old Specialized rigid (no suspension) mtb that I rehabbed so I could try this mountain bike thing. I love road riding for fitness, and have dabbled in cyclocross. Have never ridden a mtb on trails, and the only single track I have ever done is on the two CX races I did in the hot dry summer last year.

So I entered the Mudslinger in the Oregon Coast range.

>8" of rain in the last week. More today, and it got colder.

More snow than that last week.

1500+ feet of climbing in 12 miles, loop course so the climbing was compressed into less than 6 miles (there was some flat at the end).

Did I say I have rarely seen mud like that?

No suspension, failed rear brake, and a fat butt made it very interesting. Especially the absent rear brake.

And it was really muddy.

Stretches resembled a death ride, but I survived and my only crash was a stupid clip crash - all the trouble I had getting INTO my pedals, and the stupid thing doesn't release when I want it to one time.

Poor sap that finished last was an hour or so behind me, must have had a mechanical. But I wasn't DFL or DNF!

And now I have to figger out how to afford a new bike. I had a BLAST.

Congrats! What a way to get into MTBing - - trial by fire. It gets nothing but more fun, believe me.

If you knew me, you'd know that for me to be looking in the gun safe to figure what I can sell to get a 29er, you'd know I am hooked, bad.

^^ No-no! Leave that pre-64 Model 70 right where it is! Well, if it's a .308 maybe . . . .

"And now I have to figger out how to afford a new bike. I had a BLAST." :thumb:

I see a bumper sticker in your future! "I traded my .357 for a 29'er."

Only the bike people will "get it."

Goodonya!