I attended my first Mountain Bike Race yesterday, just decided late last night to go. I was just going to go ride local trails this morning but thought well, even though I am a green rookie, will give a try, why not? So woke up at 6:45 on a Saturday morning packed up the bicycle and headed to Plainview, TX. They were having a race called "Flat as Hale Mountain Bike Challenge", it wasn't flat at all, but it was in Hale county. > >About 90 or so riders showed up this morning, they had 3 different bike classes, Beginner, Sport, and Expert. Sport being the medium, expert the expert, etc....Since this was my first race, I signed up as Beginner along with 50 other people, I swear everyone thought that they were a beginner. And I heard them talking about other races, and last year races. So I know they were just trying to win the 100 buck prize by being in the slowest class. So me and 50 other beginners, 25 Stock and 15 experts all lined up on Main St. downtown Plainview. There were 3 lines drawn in the street where each class lined up about 20 yards apart from each other. We had police escort and all the streets were blocked just waiting for the gun to go off. > > Then the "On your mark" "Get Set" and "Pow!", 90 bikes all sprinted together heading through the city streets straight toward the off-road trails, the police car lead the group with sirens whining loudly. After merging with the group, just trying to get a feel for things, we hit the off-road trails. It was probably only 3 city blocks into the race and I was already ready for a break as my lungs struggled for air and my legs were wondering why I was chugging so hard. We hit the first few hills that caused a slight traffic jam as everyone fought to rush past. > >Then it settled down into some winding fairly flat single track where I started to get into the groove and passed a few folks. Then the track turned into some tougher climbs and fast downhill drops. I ended up having to walk a few of the climbs along with a handful of other people, but the downhills were a blast! Usually when riding by myself I take things slow and careful as to do my best to not fall, but since this is a race I though "What the hell" lets see what I got. Unfortunately, this was only adrenaline talking which ended rather abruptly as I ate it on the next 2 drops with a turn at the end of them, thankfully these happen to smaller hills. Before we got back into flatter tracks, we went through the biggest drop yet, this one was pretty scary because it had recently rained and it was a hill that ended into a swampy mud crud. Someone had laid a 2x6 across the mud, for the bikes to pass. Somehow I hit that 2x6 going 20 mph, but another guy wasn't so lu! cky, he was covered in head to toe mud as his front tire missed it by an inch. > >As the trail leveled out some, this lady and I were battling for position going back and forth when I noticed my ride a little spongy on the rear tire area. I was getting into a real nice groove and wanted to continue, but in the back of my mind I knew something was wrong. And as I looked at my back tire, my thoughts were confirmed as my tire showed signs of sagging air pressure..... This was about in the middle of the 9 mile race when this happened. I was so mad, I felt like continuing on the bare rim, I wanted to race dad gummit! > >I didn't carry any spare intertubes or air pumps with me so I hoisted the bike on my shoulder and hiked my way to the finish line with my tail between my legs. I did end up with a Free BBQ lunch and a Tshirt which was nice, and I really did enjoy the race up until the tire blew. It also made me realize how bad of shape I am still in. Maybe this will change soon, as I plan on joining more races and practice riding more.
