Ontario Cup 1 - Dagmar

What a way to start off the season. Around 6 degrees, drizzle and rain and lots of mud, to say that this was a challenging way to start the season would be an understatement.

Warmed up on a training in the parking lot for 15mins. Did two 1 min intervals and got my HR up to about 150. Headed to the start line 15mins before the start. This was good for position, bad for keeping warm. Think it would be a good idea to warm up longer and still get to the start around this time, less stressful then getting there late and trying to squeze in.

Lining up for the start my heart was around 145, by the time the gun went I was toppping out at 175 or so (standing still!). Anyway, off we go, I had good gearing and placement into the first corner, I was pretty much on the lead guys wheel for the first km or so, I decided to pull back rather than pass (didn't want to blow up too much).

So I let 2 or 3 guys go by...I stayed in contact with this group until we hit the first pile up - at the drop off. Can't believe people were getting off to walk down - some people's technical skills just suck. As I came up to this section I dropped in and as i pushed back to go down my shorts caught on my seat which kept up forward on the bike (this happened a couple of times during the race in different sections) and i was mm away from going over the bars - sketchy!

Note- always were tights over top of shorts - doesn't look as good but ensures shorts don't get caught on the seat.

As we cleared this first section I came out behind the top 3, at this point I felt pretty good and decided to take them before the first mud climb. Passed the lead guy on the outside of a muddy corner (kind of risky) and led the pack coming into the climb. Was pretty tough to get traction, but I made it about 80% of the way up. There was a ton of traffic in this section, lot's of walkers. I was pretty vocal at all times. Rider, coming up, etc. We then got out to mostly double track for while, bike was running great - quite fast through these sections. At this point I focused on riding my own racing and passing the upcoming riders clean. If someone was going to pass me from behind so be it, I was staying focused on my technique, effort and HR. As we moved into some really tight single track, I rode super clean, lots' of roots and rocks and nasty stuff - I cleaned it all. This is when the first of 2 longer climbs came, I geared down and sat in the spin, cleaned the climb.

Note: mtb racing is all about the climb. I'm sure this is where I made all my time. People were just getting dropped left and right and even walking up relatively easy sections.

Then came the off first part of the mud...off camber with rocks and logs. It was really tough to stay on top of it, but I did. Only stepped off once and rode the rest clean - which was quite the feat.

Note: Always try and stay on the bike, even if it feels slow, it's faster than getting off, walking/running and getting back on.

Then came the big climb of the loop, spun pretty much the whole way up, got to the steep last part and as I was going up I passed a couple of guys, started to spin out and one guy gave me a little push THANKS! that was just what I needed. At the top I took a breather for a couple turns of the cranks and then stood up and hammered this open double track stuff until the next muddy single track, which was tricky but not too hard (second lap this turned into a 4 inches of mud soup - virtually impossible to ride).

Then it was open to the downhill, this rocky gully. I was somewhat cautious at the top, then I let it go. Pretty exciting, bunch of spectators in this section too, pretty cool. Then one last climb - had to wlk/run it up - no traction. Then open grass stuff, which was nuts, steep downhill mud slide, going pretty quick sliding sideways - yikes - stay on it!

That was it for the first lap. Second lap I just stayed focused, kept passing people and trying to keep my tech, effort and HR in check. Needless to say the second lap had more mud (due to rain) so I end up running more sections - which sucked cause I'd much rather ride than run :)

What did I learn in the race?if it's raining don't wear glass, you'll end up mucking with them during the race (made me slow on a climb - I found them bouncing around inside my jacket near the end of the race, I guy I passed, passed me back because of this) - trade off on this is that mud can fly into your eyes - this happened a couple of times, but I think it's worth the risk.
wear tights over shorts, not the other way around, unless they have suspenders then you're ok
if it's going to be muddy, put those extra cleats (ones that go in the front) in your shoes, it'll help when running up muddy hills
spay PAM on your pedal cleats and pedals, it will help keep mud away from this area
always use a trainer to warm up, riding around is bullshit, start 45mins to one hour before the start and do a session for 30 mins to 45 mins.
Drink a bottle of performance drink (same as you'll race with). When you're done, stretch all the major groups, legs and back mostly and then head to the start with about 15 mins to spare. Get in position and don't stand still, shake your legs, clap your hands, keep moving.