The Supreme Race?

So, it seems mountain bike race season is getting here...or is even upon us now.

For example...Pisgah is happening...and there are some local heroes out there killing it.  There are Stels, Ben Jiks, and Alexas (Oh my?).  All very accomplished riders...whose race posts I am enjoying following on social medias, and expect some good stories when they return.

And locally, there are two races this weekend.  At Turkey Point on Saturday is the first of Substance Projects' (Dan Marshall) XC Marathon Race Series; and on Sunday there is the Steaming Nostril, a gravel race out in the St Jacobs area.

Map of Turkey Point Marathon Course

Map of the world...you know...just for context...

Some truly, epically hardy folks are doing both races (You know who you are!!).  I considered doing so. There is also the Spring Kicker on Sunday...a celebration of Mountain Biking, and Demo day attended by several mountain bike manufacturers at Turkey Point.  So many options to consider (mtb race season IS here!!)

However on today's (Wednesday) ride I crashed hard on a rocky trail and banged up my lower back fairly significantly.  I am already signed up for Dan's Turkey Point race (Singlespeed Catagory)...so I think I will leave it at that.  I am icing the back and hoping to keep it from stiffening up.  

So I will race Saturday...and likely do a Riot ride on Sunday...that way I can choose the pace and distance to what I can handle.  Who am I kidding...it will be epic...as always!!

Am I in race shape?  Hell no!!  I am planning on peaking for mid June (ya...Summer Solstice 24 hour)...but I am on my way...much better than I was last Christmas season.  At that time I weighed in at 220lbs.  I am currently bouncing around between 190 and 195...not where I wanna be, but on my way.

I've been working hard, riding lots...and good friends pushing me hard on our Sunday Riot rides.  Jenn, Jonny, PowerPaul, Al, Seth...regulars who are all faster and in better shape than me and who push me to be faster on every ride.  And ocassionally Oggie's, KarenD's, NewfieSteve's, and MikeV's who even make it faster.  And these are all folks who don't normally whine about how tough, fast, far the ride is...just the opposite!!  (Well we do occasionally lose a couple of riders, like at last Sunday's Riot ride at Turkey Point to pre-ride the race course...but that's because the pace starts too fast for the distance...).  

The fast crew at last Sunday's Turkey Point ride...

Folks often trying out the Riot face...

Anyways, sorry...a little off track there.  About my friends who believe in punishing me...  With this crew it's usually "Let's keep going...let's find another hill...lets get a buttertart." (Ya!!!).  OK....maybe that last one is always me...

Yup....these folks are fast!

On many of the rides I feel like this guy...

Although, Wednesday once I pulled myself off the rocks

 I got to ride with Al and Roscoe 

Roscoe

Makes me wonder what the dog is really thinking...

Squirrel!!!  Or...Buttertart!!!

Anyways...here I go off track again. (Dont say it Dan!)  So, back to my tough friends...pushing to be better...you know what I mean...in fact, Jenn wants to do a 3000m climb-fest next week.  So let's get at it!!

Someday I want to feel like the wolf...

Instead of this guy...

OK...focus.   So, yes...it looks like the new MTB race season is here...finally, winter is on its way out.  Time to set aside the fat winter riding.  I'm working on getting back into race shape for this summers big races.

And as far as the immediate future, for me, for now...the focus is to get my bruised back pushing my single speed through Dan's Marathon this Saturday.  Review next week...

Stay posted!!