Bite of the Coyote

LCdaveH said:

This Sunday passed was the Coyote Classic MTB race in El Paso, TX.

I'm a Sport rider without much pretension about being a particularly talented racer either by genetic gift or rigorous training. Biking is fun and racing is a personal challenge. Still, there are those certain folks that I match up with competitively, and I hate to see them get away too easily.

This (looong) winter involved spin classes, attempts at dietary prudence, and what riding (mainly weekends) I could work in. I hoped to line up with some base of competence despite the winter woes.

My winter efforts had some benefit as, after a down and up road section to spread out the riders, I got onto the single track still in contact with the front of the train. As we all streamed along the trail, it quickly became apparent that these yah-hoos had come here to race. Damnitall.

The weather was outstanding -- easily the nicest or second nicest riding day so far this year. The trail was rocky and twisty as usual, with some loose stuff and plenty of pointy plants. With my hardtail, I was fully one with the trail as I skittered through the rocks. The course was definitely a shaker, with scores of water bottles and other rattled off bike detritus lining the course.

I have a history with this course. In my prior 3 Coyotes, I've meched out twice (a broken chainstay and a non-fixable flat). About 20 minutes of ride time from the end of this race, my front tire got all squishy. No problemo, I thought, as I've packed plenty of cartridges and my trusty CO2 shooter. It was then I discovered my CO2 gun must have joined the other trail debris since it wasn't attached to my seat pack where I had lovingly secured it prior to the race.

C'est le Bike, a nice day for a walk.

Not that I regretted the walk too much. I was able to hold in with a solid (for me) push for about 1:30 with the heartrate sustained at or above my AT, something I've not often done. But even before the tire thing, I was fading. Not a bonk, just a gradual lack of spark in the engine. Time for the long long long training rides. Thank heaven for warm weather and daylight savings time.

So, fun day, fun course, fun ride -- fun walk.

Ride!

.d.

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