Mid Season Recap

Beem Awhile since I posted a bike related blog...or any for that matter.  This season I made a decision to focus on Mountain Bike racing vs road racing.  There were a few reasons why i chose to do this but mostly I just enjoy riding in the woods more.  Surprisingly, I find XC Mountain bike racing more demanding.  There is less strategy in XC Mountain biking than road racing but a bigger demand on fitness, strength and endurance.  In Road racing the fastest doesn't  always win...team tactics..drafting..etc tend to "level the playing field".  Conversely in XC Mtn Bike racing the fittest fastest usually wins.

I entered the XC season in pretty strong form.  I had a successful XC Short track season with 2 wins and never finished off the podium.  My main goals for the XC season where 1. upgrade to Cat 1, 2. podium in the North Carolina XC Championships, qualify for XC National Championships.

So far i have only achieved 1 of the goals, but I remain undeterred.  I was able to upgrade to a Cat 1 in 3 races.  I competed in 3 of the Southern Classic MTB Southern Classic Series races as a Cat 2.

Killer 3 at the Knott in Sumter, SC 2nd.

Dark Mountain XC- 1st,

 Race to The River (SC State Championships) 1st.

Unfortunately I was unable to compete in the NC State XC Championships as I had surgery to remove a Malignant skin cancer tumor on my shoulder and broken ribs suffered in a training crash.

I did some other competitive MTB races that helped round out a good busy early season.

A group of The Total Cyclist MTB Team competed in the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek.  I raced with Mike Schaffer in the 40+ duo category and we where able to pull of a  2nd place to a strong team from Boone, NC

I also competed in a fun event out at the  U.S. National White Water Center called Tuckfest, a weekend long festival of outdoor competitions from trail races, MTN Biking races, white water challenges etc.  I raced in the King of Goat Hill, K.O.G.H Challenge..a 3 lap race that incorporates all the hardest climbs at the WWC...result another win.  If you haven't been out to the USNWC you need to!  It is one of the gems in the Charlotte area.

All in all its been a very good season for me.  We all have challenges...isnt that life in general?  Mine have been mostly health related.  Its how you choose to let those challenges affect you that defines your character.  You can choose to use them as excuses or internalize them and make it motivation.  I choose persistence....its what I know and a gift from my Mom. (miss her everyday).

Peace, Luv and single track