Taming the Tetons was one of my favorite races. Mainly because the scenery was so beautiful. It was the most technical course so far for the Intermountain Cup. There were some roots and challenging climbs but mainly the boards that got more slippery each lap were the hardest for me. The Ski Resort lays the boards over the marshy areas that are too soft to ride. Luckily, I fell off one of them on the pre-ride so I knew where my limits were for speed on them.

I felt great for the whole race. My heart rate was never high for very long, it's just not possible with that kind of terrain. I get frustrated that my technical skills aren't stronger, so I rely on my strength to catch up on the non-technical sections. One day there will be a good balance for me, technical vs. strength. Right off the starting line I was too close to the front & knew I had made a mistake. I didn't mean to jump in front of KC & Sarah, I knew they would have to pass me, but I just get too amped up to tame my energy off the start line. Shortly into the race they passed me, I hung on their wheels for a few minutes, but as soon as finesse through the roots was needed, I slowed down. I found a good pace and maintained it the rest of the ride. There is a long, loose climb that I'd heard about, so loose, that some people walk it. Luckily, I found a good line to the far right in the grass on the first lap and did that for the other laps. I ended up in 5th place, won a light weight bag with plush wool riding socks & a stainless steel water bottle.

At the starting line there was a girl I didn't recognize, but some of the other women seemed to know her. She introduced herself as Amanda, but I didn't know "who" she was. When my husband saw the results a few days later he told me who she was...she's big time! Amanda Carey races Pro endurance races and does VERY well. So, I'm just psyched I got to stand at the starting line with her and race "against" her (really it wasn't a competition, she just rode off and I never saw her after about 10 seconds into the race).

One of my Las Vegas pals showed up for this race, that was a real treat. I haven't had any Vegas friends at these races. David F. raced single speed and gave his class a real spanking. For him too, it wasn't much of a competition. He's raced since he was a young teenager and if he wanted to, he could be racing the Tour de France. That is not an exaggeration, he is that strong. Those guys are his buddies, he can hang with any of them.