When it rains it pours

So some of you all thought that the "Soggy Otter" was bad! It's nothing to what I just went through at Pat's Peak! We all know that east coast riding is definitely different then west coast riding in more ways then one. I believe the consensus would be that it is definitely more technically challenging. Another factor that I first had got to experience yesterday is that it can also be a lot wetter, especially in the middle of summer.

So I show up to the race with my Michelin Dry2's on my Cannondale (these are tires designed for dry conditions, hence the Dry2'S) and a rear derailleur that seems to only want to stay in about 3 of the 9 or whatever it is cogs, on the cassette. I figured, "there has gotta be some sort of neutral support or something out there that can help me when I get there" Oh the words of the spoiled pro rider who has support at every national race...dumb butt is more like it.

Any who I decided to do a warm-up lap on the course, since it is only 5 miles and all I can think is "what a great course". I will be fine with these tires...


At the start we are instructed that we are to do 4 laps, as the USA Cycling official gives us our instructions the skies over head begin to darken. Finally the gun goes off and we are headed up the hill, low and behold my legs feel great and I am meandering my way up to the front of the pack. At the top of the first climb I have already got a pretty good gap and as the lap continues it just gets bigger and bigger. I think I have got this one in the bag!

Up until... First it started with some distant thunder claps, that quickly sounded closer and closer and was shortly followed by massive rain. Before I knew it I was slip sliding through the woods, trying my best to navigate between the roots and rock. On the uphills I was getting about 3 wheel rotations to every 20 pedal strokes or so it felt. I quickly slip back into fourth place. I was burning up energy and going absolutely no where fast. On the descent it was all I could do to stay upright, sliding sideways into turns. After lap two I thought for sure they were going to cut this race short, but apparently that doesn't happen out here. At the end of the third lap the notion crosses my mind..."just quit now, this race means nothing", "but you already made it through 3 laps just one more to go". I frustratingly make my way around the fourth lap and am headed down the final descent when I hear someone behind me...I nicely pull towards the side and say "go ahead". To my dismay it's another girl...crap, why in the heck did I do that? I decide to take some major risks...and stay on her tail, finally we get through the descent and head up the last hill towards the finish, I really turn on the gas, catch her and keep piling it on! I manage a gap that she can't contest and pull across the finish in 4th, and a bloody muddy mess!

My perifromis was in full spasm, my bike barely worked, I was muddy, cold, and hungry...But it felt sooooo freaking good to be done!