XC in AZ

Cross Country...The course in Arizona was FAST, HOT, and FAST. With pump sections, sweeping turns and power climbs this course was FUN! At least during the pre-rides when no effort is involved.

So same start situation is involved with the XC race as with the Short Track...Back of the pack! Again greeted by familiar faces, and the same look in there eyes...I am going to power to the front!

This time the race starts on a little open bit of fire road and then in about 100m narrows down in to single track. The gun goes off and it's just mad pack...get your foot clipped in you ding dong and GO GO GO! I manage to move up a bit on the famous out side line (man, I probably shouldn't be saying this, because all those spies are going to start to try and take my lines) and then Wham! We are into the single track and the pack becomes a long stung out single file line, much like that in grade school when you had to line up for recess, but this line was a bunch of angry dust-eating women!(if you would call us that)There's some elbow bumping, yelling, what have you. I try and seek every opportunity I have to try and pass (somewhat safely). With in the first couple of miles I manage to creep my way up to about the 20's when once again...we hit a little wide section descent and who gets stuck in the rut...you got it EMily gets stuck in the rut, and proceeds to superman off her bike...please don't hit a cactus...please don't hit a cactus...please don't hit a cactus...thank god I didn't hit a cactus, but I have the feeling I am missing some skin, crap that ground is like sand paper.

I get up dust myself off, put my chain back on, watch what feels like 50 girls fly by me..I think it was more like 10..go in to slight panic mode, but you have a long way to go and plenty of time to pick people of this is only the beginning of the first of 3 laps! So I took a deep breath and got into a nice rhythm...Stay strong, drink, eat...one down...stay strong, drink, eat...two down...stay strong, drink, eat...you get the picture. I knew others weren't eating or drinking which ment that they were going to suffer...as long as I could stay on top of that I could come out the strong one. Sure enough after 3 long laps in anywhere from 90-100degree temperatures(just a reminder, there is no shade in the desert) the finish line comes into view! Whew!!

What really separates road races from mountain bike races?? I will tell you at the end of that race it was clear. Mountain bike racers freaking suffer! I can say this because I do both, not say that roadies don't but I strongly believe MTBers do more. It is us against ourselves, how hard you can push you body and your mind is what it boils down to. We spend alto of time by ourselves out there.
When I came across that finish line, there was nothing left in the tank. My lower back went into spasms, the heat sets in and starts trying to cramp your muscles, the pain from the crash sets in and things start to hurt that you didn't know you hurt. The most lovely sight I saw was not just Ray(by the way the best feeder ever!) with a cold wet towel to put on my neck but two Luna Chicks(best riders in the country) crouched in the shade on the ground next to a pick up truck. You know it's tough when there is a team of medics at the finish asking over and over and over again if you are alright. Man I love this Sport!!!!! Really!!!! We are all crazy! Oh and the best part is I got my picture in Cycling News again...This time a bit better circumstances!