Keyesville Classic 20th Annual Mountain Bike Race - CycleOther


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Keyesville Classic Mountain Bike Race, California
United States
Southern Sierra Fat Tire Association
33F / 1C
Precipitation
 		Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = 1st PL/500
Age Group = Sport Women 50+
Age Group Rank = 1/15-20
Pre-race routine:

No pre-race routine....got to the event just in time to throw my gear on....race up to the top...to turn around and race down! ;) Was a great warm up...we went up the actual course we were racing down. Was able to pick some of the lines I would be racing as I rode up. There are two seperate courses we will be racing down. The old uphill course and the actual downhill course we have always raced...which includes the infamous "GRAVEYARD AREA and SNAKEPIT AREA". The uphill section was very slick and consisted of much granite rock...will not feel good to fall on this stuff! OWIE! As I am riding up...I see lots of old friends and make a few new ones! ;) there are many spectators propped up in the triple arrow descent areas...these are the areas that are GNARLY and more likely to see some of us take spills there...the spectators are looking for some blood...and I hope they see none of mine! ;) Got to the top...the Beginner racers were still going down...men first then women...then came my class...Sport...men went then us women! behind us were the Experts and Pros....
Event warmup:

My warm up was getting myself to the top of the downhill course...no ski lifts here...got to get yourself up there by riding and some pushing! definitely warmed up...but by the time I raced...it was sleeting and snowing...pretty cool...this is the 13th year that I have raced and only snowed once before! usually sunny and warm! glad I layered...for heat and protection from possible wrecks on my way down! MUST BE PREPARED!
Bike
  • 05m 10s
  • 5.5 miles
  • 63.87 mile/hr
Comments:

I raced mountain bikes for 5 years solid..every weekend going to some race...and this has to be the most fun race ever....beautiful area...PEOPLE ARE AMAZED! and once they find it...keep coming back.
What would you do differently?:

Get to the race the day before to pre-ride the course...knew one course like the back side of my hand..but they thru in another course and had no idea what it was like to ride it...so I was a bit sketched while racing it! not sure what was coming next..
Post race
Warm down:

Rode to the car to get some warm, dry clothes on...time to get ready for the short track race.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Age, weight and borrowed a full suspension Santa Cruz bike for this event...not real familiar with grip shifts on this bike...but figured it out pretty quickly!

BRING ENERGY BAR for wait

Drink more water!

Event comments:

Love this race...can't wait til next year! Hope there will be more women racers....there were only 15-20 of us...and would love to see lots more!!!


Profile Album


Last updated: 2008-03-18 12:00 AM
Biking
00:05:10 | 05.5 miles | 63.87 mile/hr
Age Group: 1/15-20
Overall: 1/500
Performance: Good
First run...was able to stay on my bike til the end...ran one of the sections that was just a bit too hairy for this biker mama...was able to catch the girl in front of me...who started 30 seconds before me. She was running her bike and I passed her at the last turn. She is 25 years younger, too! YAY! felt great....time to ride back up for the second run...MY FAVORITE! Snake pit and graveyard run! love this part of the course. Rode this section about the same time I rode the first run...in just over 5 minutes. Looked at my time compared to the girls that were in the 25-35 age groups and I would have finished in the middle of thier pack...felt really good...would have liked to ride the snake pit area...as I have in the past years...but was thinking about keeping all my legs and arms attached and decided to run thru here...I was told by many that I ran quicker then many of the girls rode...I actually improved my time from the past year by almost a minute! I had one issue with my chain falling off, too...had to get off and pull it over the big chain ring...ROOKIE MOVE on the gear switching by me!
Wind: Headwind
Course: FIRST RUN: Course starts out with a huge sweeping down hill with an abrupt sandy turn to the left...much single track with lots of rolling over big granite rocks...many switch backs and lots of ruts and sand...then as you start to go down the jeep trail...it gets really steep and treacherous. Lots of triple arrows...which means DANGER..DANGER...DANGER.. I used to not even notice these arrows...now, I am a bit more cautious! I ran one of these sections...and boy did I hear about this from my fellow racers...will I ever be able to live it down!!? ;)...second run was the same start with the sweeping corner...but this time we have much more technical rock jumpin area called graveyard...and then the snakepit that has two boulders that you cross thru...and hope your handlebars are trimmed enough to make it between them. ;) then it is a freeway back to the staging area...with one really screaming down in front of everyone.
Road: Rough Wet Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5