Saturday morning in Winter Park was beautiful! Having never done a Mtb. race in Winter Park, or ridden on the mountain there, I was excited to get going and see where the trail went, and how the trail unfolded. It was a 5.3 mile 2,062ft. climb. The race went up a long, gradual fire road. The road was fairly wide, and switch-backed quietly among the evergreens. It was really beautiful. I knew the race would be a real leg-burner before we even began. Well, if it wasn't I was determined to make it one. I took off after Judy Freeman at the start, and struggled to stay on her wheel. She really sprinted up the first part of the climb. I felt strong, though, and decided to go down trying rather than not try at all. I mean, if I blew up on the climb at least I could look back and know I tried. Thankfully, I just felt better as we got going. Sure my legs were working hard, but I was halfway up, and feeling strong, so I kept at it. The guys started riding back down the hill after their race, about twenty minutes into ours. There was a lot of happy cheering from them as they descended. My fingers started to feel numb.... and I tried to relax as best I could. No sense gripping the bike to such a degree, no doubt! The race itself lasted only 44:49 for me. I was almost three minutes behind the winner, Judy. I stuck with it in fourth for most of the race, minus the first few minutes, because I started in the second row, and spent a bit of effort getting up front. The climb ended with a steep pitch, and a few meters to the chair lift deposit.
I managed to stay in front of thirty-one Experts, and three Pros, winning the overall Expert category. I guess I shouldn't be too proud of this, because I climb all the time... there being mtns in my backyard. But it none the less felt good. Fresh air and a great Hill Climb must be the secret to happiness?!