Make it or Break it (Or Both)

Hey all! I’ve just returned from racing in the US National Mountain Bike Championships in Sun Valley (Ketchum) Idaho. Let me start by saying that Ketchum is a beautiful town full of cool people and having the US Nationals there the past two years has been awesome. I’ll be sad not to race there next year.

 The Cat 1 17-18 Juniors race 4 laps of the pro course, which is a 6 KM loop. The race was absolutely brutal! The start heads straight up the mountain on a fire road with a few switchbacks cut into the grass alongside that offer a welcome respite from the steepness. The fire road is almost too steep to ride, as it is also very loose. It’s really a little over a mile and half of granny gear agony. It is not uncommon to see pros having to dismount and “run” (trudge) for a section. It was really maddening to be riding the tough sections only to have riders in a different race force you to dismount. On my first two laps I was forced to run small pieces because of the mayhem of all the riders, but I cleaned the next two. By that time I was through more of the U23 riders who started ahead of me. The climb was the most challenging part of the race for me, from the start of the race I was counting down the grueling, baking slogs. I also broke up each individual climb with the switchbacks. I cannot describe the relief I felt each time I turned left, and got to rest for a moment.

The climb is followed by a long descent back to the venue, snaking down the mountain with innumerable steep switchbacks, culminating in a steep, manmade rock waterfall that is really quite simple, but is a great spectator attraction. The switchbacks are sharp and steep enough that they were the only really technical sections of the course. I had them down though, and it was relieving that I knew I could pass people on the inside. I was very happy with my descending; I would catch and pass many people on the descent.

 We then roll through the Start/Finish, though the venue, over the fly over, through the flat man made rock garden, through feed, and back up that mountain.

I was battling the same guys I was with at California High School State Champs. My finish of 32nd out of 62 is pretty good for my first year racing Cat 1, I am content with it.

Then, two days later, I raced Super D.

The Super D Course started near the top of the mountain. The start was a quick fire road climb, probably around 5 minutes at race pace. Then it followed a sinuous path all the way to the bottom, full of switchbacks and pedaling. I felt very confident during the practice runs, The course seemed to suit me and the Grammo Toa.

My start was awesome. I was hammering up the road, catching one of the other riders right away. Then I finished the climb and began the descent. I was pushing on the edge, screaming down the fire road, throwing massive clouds of dust off the hard switchbacks, pumping the flow sections super smooth and I felt really good. Suddenly I heard a very unwelcomed sound.

Now, there are 3 distinct sounds that you never, ever want to hear in a race.

A hiss, meaning you’ve flatted.
The harsh clatter of a chain, being dropped or a derailleur problem.
A sharp ping, of something breaking off.

I heard a sharp ping.

As I heard that, I felt the saddle fall away from me. I instantly knew I had broken something on my seat or seat post. Now I had a split second decision: Lose more time to get the saddle and carry it down, or just keep going, but without sitting down.

I chose to keep going.

I continued hammering down the mountain, not letting my lack of a seat get in the way. I had to do about half the descent saddle-less. I came through the rock drop, around the final corner, and that was it. Nationals was over. Now I just had to wait and see how I did.
 I ended up 23rd out of 65, not bad for saddle-less. I think my results from Nationals this year are pretty respectable. They’re not outstanding, but hopefully I can improve that next year. This also marks the end of my 2012 Cross Country racing season.
I would like to thank my Parents especially, as well as my coaches, mentors, friends, teammates, and of course my wonderful sponsors at Grammo and Unique sports. Thank you all for all your time and effort, without you I wouldn’t have a season at all.