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I just did my first race the other day. It was a privately sponsored race on private land. A local Dr. has 3 running races and 2 MTB races on his land every year on one day. Usually there's a good showing (from what I hear). For MTB, there's a shorter course with no climbing to speak of, and a longer one with some hills. I decided to do the longer course for the MTB race because it was the only one with prize money. To my surprise, there were only like 6-7 of us in it.

I came home with a pretty cool looking gold medal and $100 that I immediately spent on a Chris King headset. (something I've wanted for 9 years)

The course was around 3 miles long and there were 5 laps. Part of it was across a rolling prarie-type field. Then it ducked into the woods. There was a pretty dadgum steep descent that hooked around into a steeper/shorter descent with a 2.5 foot log jump that was so "peaked" that if you didn't bunny-hop it, you would smack your big ring.

It had 3-4 really steep climbs that were around 50-100 feet long. Very loamy and gooey though, so there was no traction. I was also riding my 1x8 with some freakin' Hutchison Pythons. (I didn't think there would be any hills to speak of) Anyway, I had to walk all of the climbs but one. I went over my bars twice. I had no idea how far ahead I was, so I kept hammering like there was no tomorrow. My legs were so tired that I couldn't bomb down sections like I normally would, so I ended up wiping out twice.

Over all, I did pretty good. I finished about 1 mile in front of the 2nd place winner and 2 miles in front of the last place. One rider didn't finish.

I was happy with winning the cash, but I really wish there would have been more competition there so I could feel like I did something special. Either way, I got my King headset and a cool medal.

Next year, I'm going to invite all of my friends to do it so it will be more fun. (even the one that I know will take the prize money from me) This year it was a spur of the moment type thing, so I couldn't talk anyone into it.

apclassic9

Come to race some WV races for stiff competition - check out LowCell's race reports, and tune into www.wvmba.com for a race schedule!

Great job for a first race, though - WELL DONE!