There were only 6 women (Maybe 40 men??) In the first 15 minutes I must have fallen 6 times and got pretty banged up. I really hit my knee hard on my stem and it hurt! I even said some naughty words for the world to hear. I was trying too hard to keep with the pack. So, I finally just stopped for a moment, controlled my breathing and set off at a better pace for me. I was in solid last place (for women) at the end of the first lap. I was not happy and feeling sorry for myself. But on the second lap, I started picking up people - they were fading 'cause it is a hard race. I passed a junior guy, and he looked a bit listless as he was pushing up a hill. I made sure he wasn't dehydrated - I told him to drink MORE, and then I left him. I passed one woman and I greeted her. She grunted in return - I think she was having a hard time. Then when I caught up to the next woman, we chatted for about 10 minutes as we rode together. She was worn out too, so I finally left her. About 6 people dropped out with mechanical problems/flats.

It is good just to finish this race.

2 race pictures - they never do it justice. One is of me riding the flats near the finish with son cheering me. The other is of a team mate about to go over a nasty drop - note the off-camber roots at the bottom. I didn't ride this one!

Well, I rode 30 miles yesterday. I knew that was bad for today's race, but I was feeling behind in my bike training and it was the only opportunity for a longish ride. I didn't feel like my legs had much power today.

Clean off the mud and blood from my legs.


My weight, my fear of falling.


This race is both part of the Maine Mountain Bike Series and the EFTA series, so it pulls in some great riders! They make it look so darn easy, and then I come lumbering along, bouncing all over the place....