This was my first ever mountain bike race. I woke up and looked at weather.com said it was 20 degrees out with a windchill of 12. I heard plenty of people talk before the race started about how everyone was going to fall because of the conditions. Race started, and a few people fell within 10 feet of the start.

Because of the conditions I couldn't take my hands off the bars to start my watch which didn't really matter because you couldn't ride at your own pace if you wanted to. It was almost all single track and where there was room to pass was deeper snow and more ice, so I just hung behind whoever was in front of me at the time.

It was very pretty riding through the farmland into the trees. There was ice evewhere on the course. People were flying off into the woods left and right. Unfortunately that was really the only option for me to pass, wait for the person in front to fall, make sure they were ok then take off.

I definitely was out of control a few times. I couldn't ever get my shoes clipped in since I was wearing the neoprene boots which I think was actually a good thing. Whenever I started to get out of control I could put my foot down, on a tree, on a rock, or whatever to push me back on line.

I was very proud of my 10 year old, abused, too small for me hard tail stumpjumper. We were able to climb stuff that I saw quite a few others have to get off and push. Some of the log piles were a bit tough as I had to try to bunny hop them to keep from grinding my big ring on them. I did slam the family jewels once but was able to hang on and get back on track.

Funny I had trouble keeping up on some of the down hill sections but was able to pass/hang with everyone on the up hill or technical sections.

I did have to get off the bike 2x because my hands were so numb that I couldn't grab the brake. Eventually they got acclimated but that cost me some time and positions as when I had to hop off I was with a pretty fast group that probably finished near the front of the pack.

All and all it was a very fun day, seriously challenging conditions, especially for me since I am such a cold wimp and hadn't really tested my gloves on the bike in the cold.

Make sure I had enough clothes on to stay warm.

Hopped in the car and drove to McDonalds for some hot coffee.


First ever mtn bike race, not sure if I could have done much better, I was able to keep it upright when others wern't and still hold a pretty decent pace.


Fun race, would be fun to try it without the ice and snow.