yeah, my second race i made more interesting mistakes that could've been worse...i thought i had planned ahead (drank water this time....even carried a small bottle i slugged on a flat), but i almost forgot to DEFLATE my tires...so on my pre-ride of the course (which i wasn't able to finish), i stop to let air out...by feel (this was a very grassy course)...i let out TOO much! i had to head back to my Tracker to pump up the front tire back to 38 or so....i left the back as it was since IT was a presta and i didn't have time to mess with it....about 29psi....

luckily it all worked out because, as i found out later, there was a gravel/rooty/rocky section that loved the low psi tires...but i'd rather have the front squishier...

ultimately i don't think it mattered since i crossed the line way ahead of the few last....and those ahead i still probably wouldn't have caught...maybe one....it was all me and it was good to get another race under the belt as a 46 year old on a 17 year old bike (25 pounds)...i got some nice comments on my 'rig'...but it really is time to get my engine in top form (enough not to take over my life TOO much) AND...........get a bike that is not a conversion but a true 21st century 'cross specific setup. i know i'm sticking with this...mountain biking will be my 'recreational' time from here on...

but the bright side of this new race experience:

+my stamina is still there and a bit stronger...but there's no power, speed.
+off-cambers and tight turns are definitely my strength (thanks i guess to mtbiking)
+going from a rattling old scwhinn bombproof tensile carbon steel ride (31 pounds) to a slightly 'newer' Giant cro-mo i carved down to 25 or less pounds made a difference..still, it rode with one (front) brake, the two top rings removed leaving me with a 30-tooth small ring with 7 in the rear (i was worried i'd be spinning on the flats but i didn't have the juice to test THAT)...
+yes, it is easier to hop the barriers than slowly step over them