I've been riding for a good 7 or 8 years now, but had never raced until this past weekend. I competed as part of the JMU Cycling Team, and it was the first race of the accc season, on our home mountain (the west slope of the massanutten mountain for anyone in VA). Teams from all over the place, about 75 riders showed. The course was a 10-mile loop of steep rocky singletrack, starting with a long fire road clib, and with a SWEET hardpacked clay descent about halfway through.

I competed in the B class, so 2 laps, and was very glad i didn't give A a shot. From the gun we went straight up the mountain on the fire road (3 miles to the top and very, very steep) and my legs felt great, just spun right up and was hanging with the front group. When we finally hit the trails I went in third...and happy to be in such a good position. About halfway through the lap there's this very nasty descent with gnarly rock ledge that ends in a creek crossing. made it down alright, but lost traction in the creek and banged myself up pretty good on the rocks. wasn't too upset about falling, except that it meant i'd have to hike the outrageously steep climb on the other side (steep enough that i couldn't manage to clip in). by the end of the lap i'd slipped to 4th, which was fantastic as far as i was concerned, being my first race.

the rest of the race was uneventful til the last 2 miles, when both of my calves cramped at the same time...lost around 5 minutes desperately trying to work them out. eventually got running again, but by now was in 7th. but i knew the guy in front of me couldn't be that far ahead so once i got going it was time to put the hammer down, because at this point, calves be da**ed, i was not finishing 7th. so over the last 2 miles (mostly downhill) i chased him down to within 50 yards or so. by this time we're both within sight of the finish line--i had about 200 yards to go--and while i'm hammering away in the big ring, i see him look over his shoulder. i drew even with him coming to the line, and ended up taking 6th by less than a wheel. (there's a great picture of it, if i can get scanned i'll upload)

i have to say, until i saw the finish line, doing that race was completely miserable, but now that it's over i can't wait to do it again.