I did it! I raced my mountain bike. It was hard. It was very technical. It was challenging. It was wet. It was slippery. It was a lot of fun. I’m going to do it again.

On Saturday I loaded up the car with my brand spanking new Opus Fhast 2 29er and drove out to the Charlottenburg Forest near Cornwall. I had no idea what to expect, but I assumed it would all work out just fine. And this is it did!

When I arrived the morning race was just getting ready to start – very low key relaxed atmosphere with a registration tent and a couple tents set up for people to stand under to keep dry. It really reminded me of the cyclo-cross races I used to do in Belgium – everyone parked in a big field and a good group of friendly people out to race, cheer and organize the race.

I met the organizer of the East Cup Mountain Bike Series, a super friendly guy who is trying really hard to offer folks in Eastern Ontario a good mountain bike race series. I arrived quite early so I had time to hang out, eat and get my bike ready. Eventually some familiar faces arrived, it was great to have Nick and Rob there to give me advice, convince me to take lots of pressure of my tires and most of all to reassure me that I could do this race.

Since I hadn’t ridden a mountain bike for quite some time or raced in a long time, I really had no pressure or expectations. Throw in that this was only my second time on the big 29er and I really was just out for a fun time. I did have a fun time but admittedly there were moments when I wasn’t smiling.

I registered for the Expert/Pro category – in hindsight this might have been a mistake, but thanks to the low-key atmosphere, no one minded that I was in over-my-head. The race was four laps of a five km rocky, rooty, slippery and very technical race loop. After my warm-up lap, which resulted in a hard crash, I was having second thoughts but after talking to Nick, I was ready for it. My attitude was “just go out and ride. Enjoy being in the woods.” So this is what I did.

I lined up at the back of the pack of 20 or so guys and one other girl. Everyone took off like a rocket – and then I started! I caught a few people on the early climb but soon lost them when we hit the singletrack. I just raced my “race”. I simply did what I could – there were sections that I simply couldn’t ride, so I got off and ran. My first lap was okay. The second lap was filled with crashes – I think I crashed three times in that lap. I was also passed by a lot of people in the second lap – so impressive to see how smooth people were riding. The third (and my final lap) was better – I didn’t crash and I was able to ride sections I couldn’t ride previously. I had the option of doing a fourth lap, but declined – I had been out there for a while and was pretty sure a fourth lap would only result in more crashes.

Each time I came through the start/finish, Dan, the organizer shouted encouragement and gave me some tips, such as “loosen up the death grip”, “spin more”, “move forward on your saddle”, “you’re doing great”. This helped so much. I had a good chat with Dan and Nick after the race about my bike set-up – so I’m going to make some changes which should help with my riding.

All in all, a great experience. This course was likely not the best for me to return to mountain bike racing and riding on – I struggled a lot – but in the long run this first season mountain bike racing and riding experience will pay off. If I can ride on very narrow, technical, and slippery trails then when it’s dry and a bit less intimidating, I’ll be good to go.

Many thanks to all the guys who passed me and gave me words of encouragement. This was just a very welcoming and encouraging race experience. People were happy that you were out riding. Just the way it should be.

Admittedly, today I’m a bit sore – I’ve got lots of bruises all over and my bike is a big muddy mess (with a slightly bent rear derailleur) but this is all part of the experience. I just need to get better so I don’t crash as much!

If you’re looking for a good series of mountain bike races that don’t require driving to Toronto, definitely check out this series.

(Big congrats to Nick for taking the big win in his category. The Cyclery colors look good on the podium!)

So I’m racing on Saturday. It has been a long time since I’ve raced. And a really really long time since I’ve done a mountain bike race. In fact I think the last mountain bike race I did was in 2006… So to say that I’m stressing and obsessing would put it mildly.

My last mountain bike race at Mt. Tremblant.

As I was driving home to Ottawa this morning after a great weekend in Lakefield visiting my parents, exploring the roads and hanging out with the fine folks at Wild Rock Outfitters in Peterborough (especially the Flirtees girls) – my brain started to work its magic. First, I realized that I left my fancy schmancy spatula/spoon that I bought specifically for my super duper Vitamix – in the drying rack on Coyle Crescent… Shoot. Oh well, a good reason for my parents to pack up their kayaks and my dad to bring his power tools for a weekend of Ottawa kayaking and deck building (and spatula schlepping).

Right, seem to have got off track there – this happens sometimes…

Saturday I’m racing my brand spanking new Opus Fhast 2 29er. I’m nervous. I realized I have no idea what tire pressure to use or even how to determine what tire pressure to use. Should I use my Camelbak or a bottle/cage. I could get a flat tire, then what will I do. I don’t even know the protocol for pre-riding and warming up. Is it too much to expect to ride a lap of the course before the race. How do you warm-up for a mountain bike race? I don’t even know how to pace myself – go from the gun, play catch and pass, or what?

Yes, I feel like a first time racer. I want to have a good race but I have no idea what to expect. What is a good race in this situation? I don’t even know how to pace myself because I have no idea how long the race will be. Yes, stressing and obsessing are the appropriate terms.

Luckily I have a secret weapon. Her name is Lois. I emailed Lois and asked her all my questions. She gave me some very sensible answers and has calmed my nerves a little bit. But I know on Friday night and on Saturday I’ll be going a bit crazy brainish again. This is a good thing though – right? I guess all I can do is clip in, look down the trail (not at my front tire), pedal hard, remember to drink some water, smile and enjoy the moment. (But I really really would like some more pointers – so if you have some – I’m ready for them!) One more question – how do I attach my number to my bike – do I need to bring my one straps…

Just a quick post to remind you to wear your sunscreen. I didn’t and now my arms are bright red, hot and sore.

I feel a bit stupid to be walking around with bright red arms… There is enough information out there that I know I should be wearing sunscreen.

I just didn’t think I’d get a sunburn in May in Ontario. I was wrong.

Moral of the story – wear sunscreen – your arms won’t hurt and you won’t put yourself at risk for the side effects of sunburn.

Even though this is a cycling-themed website, there are days when I don’t feel like writing about training, racing, recovery, etc. And I’m guessing that there are times when you really don’t have much interest in my latest ride and training effort. Lets face it, during the non-racing time of a cyclo-cross racer’s season, things can get a bit dull. Sure I’ve been out training and in the gym lifting weights – but today is not a day to get sucked into the details of this morning’s ride…

So instead, how about a general post on things that are going on and things that I’m digging right now? (More cycling-specific content is sure to show up in the coming days since I’m doing my first mountain bike race in many years on May 11…)

• Reading: I’m reading Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss. This is a fascinating book. Normally I prefer to read novels but this book is written so well and so fascinating that it is an easy read. It is shocking really to discover how things like Tang, Kraft Dinner, and Lunchables came to be. It is equally interesting to learn about the science and chemistry that goes into these food items. Also interesting is how connected food companies are to government… This is not a book that is meant to turn you off your morning bowl of Rice Krispies or turn you into a vegan – nope this book is about learning about the food industry and how we’ve become suckered into wanting more salt, sugar and fat.
• Listening: I listen to podcasts when I ride. Currently I’m listening to a mix of NPR, CBC, Eurosports Velocast, and Rich Roll. This combination gives me a good mix of entertainment, learning, and music. I’ve recently (thanks to Marc) discovered Downcast – great way to manage my podcasts on my iPhone.
• Eating: feels like I’m always eating! Not much new here! I love my Vitamix and I’ve become quite addicted to my daily smoothies. The only time I don’t have them for breakfast is when I’ve got a long ride planned – then I switch it up with some muesli. I’ve been making my own almond milk and almond butter – amazing how quickly I can make this and it is so nice to know exactly what is in the food I’m eating. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not a “granola health nut” – I eat my share of chocolate chips from the bag, potato chips and Diet Coke (I know aspartame is bad!).
• Happening: well this weekend I’m in Lakefield. I’m primarily here because I’m going to the Wild Rock Outfitters Women’s Night on Sunday evening. But I needed an excuse to get away from the city and hang out at my parents place anyway. I have to say the riding here is fantastic – smooth rolling roads with enough climbing to keep things interesting but not climbs that make you regret leaving the house!
• Bikes: well, I’ve got a new mountain bike! I took it out last weekend for an easy spin. Wow those 29 inch wheels are big – do they every roll well. Admittedly my trail riding skills are rusty – but this is to be expected. I’m looking forward to racing and riding my Opus Fhast 2 this summer – I think some long rides in the Gatineau Park and a weekend away at Kingdom Trails will be good for the legs, heart and soul.

Well, I guess that’s about it. Life is simply rolling along with no unexpected interruptions – so as they say in Belgium “Alles is goed”.

You know those rides that start out with really good intentions? Your jersey is loaded with healthy and tasty ride food. You’ve got two full water bottles. You’ve got some money in the event you need more food and water. So you’re set. You’ve learned your lessons from long rides just two weeks ago – and you even wrote some content for Shape magazine about eating and drinking on a ride.

But even with this knowledge and a well-stocked jersey, things seem to go wrong… Before you even leave the house you make some classic mistakes (mistakes you know better than to make) – mistakes that make you feel like you’re better off pushing your bike home than riding it…

• Always triple check the weather forecast. And even if you don’t hear the weatherman on CBC radio whisper about the 40% chance of rain – bring your rain cape anyway. If it doesn’t rain (which it did for 3.5 hours of the 4 hour ride), you can always put your rain cape on if the temperature drops unexpectedly (which it did).
• Bring extra gloves. These come in handy in the spring – especially when it starts to rain or you realize (which I did) that my gloves weren’t warm enough.
• That food you packed in your jersey? Eat it. And even if you don’t “feel hungry” eat some damn food. Your Garmin is beeping at you reminding you that you’ve burned 700 kj, then 1200 kj, and then 2180 kj – this means one package of Clif Shot Bloks is not enough.
• Oh and about those full and heavy water bottles you’re lugging around? Do yourself a favour and put that water in your body. Your bike will feel lighter and remarkably, you’ll feel a lot better. Yes, when it is pouring rain and the temperature drops, the water gets cold – too bad – drink the water.
• Just because your training plan reads 3-4 hours, doesn’t mean you need to do the 4 hours. Especially when you’re cold, haven’t eaten enough, neglected to drink very much water, and you’re soaked to the bone.
• An indicator that it is a good idea to call your husband is when 128 watts feels like 728 watts (I now think I know what this really feels like) and your arms start to ache so badly from the wet and cold that you’re having a hard time determining which body part feels worse – your legs or your arms.
• Oh, and when you’re riding on your first group ride in over two years and your friend rides up to you and says “this is where it gets kind of fast and hard for a while” – take him seriously and don’t slowly drift back thinking that “you’ll be okay and just hang out here at the back for a while” – especially when the road is kind of rolling and you’re not ready to deal with sharp accelerations and a pace that feels like 728 watts. This will likely result in your getting dropped and then finally catching back on just as the group hits a little rise – resulting in your riding alone.

So yes, today I made many classic mistakes. But it was still a good ride. Sometimes you (I) need to make these mistakes to remember how important the subtle things are in making the ride a good one. It was great to be out on the group ride again. I saw lots of friendly faces and met a few new people. I’ll be back again – not until the third Saturday in May though since I’m off to Peterborough/Lakefield next weekend for the Wild Rock Women’s Night and on May 11, I’m racing my mountain bike (so excited).

Best of luck to everyone doing Almonte-Roubaix on Sunday. I’ll be riding out to Almonte to watch the finish. (I plan to overdress for the ride and to eat and drink too much!)