Crested Butte, Co

This last Saturday I raced in Crested Butte. The race starts at the bottom of the ski resort and just goes up from there. I checked my Suunto watch and was hoping it was wrong: 9400 ft at the start! Anyway, the race began a long distance from the single track..great idea by the race promoter..this gave us time to string out the group. My wife told me I was top 7 at the single track and by the next lap in top 5. I was excited and riding well.
As I was climbing at the start of #2 lap I noticed the nose of my saddle was pointing up like a downhiller rig!! I could barely touch my pedals.
I jumped off and hammered the nose down and jumped back on. Unfortunately , this game went on the whole race...I "found "a wrench, while countless riders went by, frantically tightened it down. After more riding it began to move back and forth..to the point that I was ready to call it quits..I was mad but remembered Lance saying "quiting lasts forever" I finished but back of the pack.
Later that night I had some beers with some of the racers I had raced against that day. They were surprised I didn't pack it in. Glad I didn't..
Next big race will be USA Cycling National Championships in Granby, Colorado. That great stars and stripes jersey we all would love to wear. I going to try.

Start of the race

Knowing when to not expect too much from yourself...

From the start I knew my head wasn't in it.

My real estate business was "interesting" last week with some long days... I was a bit worn out. The course was technical and I was all thumbs..and had no stamina.. but I didn't really connect the rough week with my dissappearing skills or power...after the first relationship with a huge granite rock..I thought ..better to go for an easy spin and call it good. I don't have many races like this but when I do ..it's one to forget about.

I got home last night and was thinking that my skills suck and my fitness must have escaped me! I went to bed figuring I needed to stay off the bike for a while...but this morning I was curious.... I went for an easy ride for an hour and then started feeling pretty good..so I thought why not do some hard efforts? It became a great training ride ...I rode very well...and had no problem pushing my cardio limits. My mind was finally clear and I was in tune with my body. This goes to show how much our "head" makes a difference in our racing. Crazy work schedules or stress from job or family all make a huge difference. Family and work are realities so we can't take these out of the mix.. but knowing that you may not ride like you usually do is key..It is important to not beat yourself up if you are riding poorly..and thinking your fitness is out the window...It may not be a lack of training hours. That is what my ride today showed me. The connection of mind and body is more than we know.

On a better Note:

I met Ryan Amirault yesterday..great to meet a fellow GT racer. I think he ended up doing well in the XC. Good Job Ryan!..I feel old saying this but what a nice young man ( I wish I was your age again!).

Joe

My wife saw these baby racoons playing with each other while she was walking down the street! Almost don't look real.

Getting Ready for Colorado Springs

It's been great to be able to re focus on just the mountain bike! I couldn't ask for a better hardtail ..the GT Zaskar is incredible. This coming weekend I'll be traveling to C.S. to race in the Sho-Air Western Finals. I've been doing some serious climbing up the Colorado Trail each weekend and am looking forward to testing my fitness...feeling good. My weakness has always been time trialing so I really put an emphasis on that this past winter and spring...almost to the detriment to my climbing. I think I am back on track.
I will make sure to get some great pics.

Then comes racing in Crested Butte...