This was supposed to be a LOTOJA weekend for the Tingey family. It didn't turn out that way. I found myself with a free Saturday and more mountain bike race. Being a single speed only mountain bike event, I was quite hesitant because I'd never ridden a single speed bike. Not to mention the bike I borrowed had a rigid fork, and was a size large frame. Whatever, right? This is mountain biking! Well, Friday night I took it for a spin on Flying Dog and waffled between loving the single speed and REALLY DISLIKING the rigid fork.
The problem was that I had found true love on a borrowed Cannondale Scalpel just 2 days previous to this. My friend Chris, who happens to be the best mechanic in Utah, let me borrow his bike. We did a mellow ride on some of the lower trails in Park City. I was in complete awe of the riding prowess and comfort of the Scalpel. I knew instantly that was the bike I HAD to have next year. I also learned that I want hydraulic brakes, a lighter seat, different tires...the list goes on. Suffice it to say I am all for a full suspension 26er, even for racing, if it's The Scalpel.
So, I showed up to the Sundance Single Speed Challenge on the bike I borrowed from Carl. Yes, the bike that I swore I'd never ride. It was a crisp, clear morning, a perfect day to race. A total of 16 people showed up to race. They did have a record of 3 women showing up. KC is typically the only woman that ever shows up. She and I climbed together for the first 5 minutes of the race and then I realized I was in over my head. At that point I turned it into a nice Saturday ride and my goal was to finish the race. KC won, I came in 2nd & the 3rd place woman got lost on one of the laps. I think I finished 14th overall. The race was super fun because it was so casual, even more casual than the mid-week races. It seemed to just be a group of people that happened to show and put numbers on their bikes. I was told that's it for the single speed scene in Utah.
Since the race I have read a little about single speed racing. My new hero is Heather Irmiger, the 2009 ss world champion. I loved that the prize for winning the single speed worlds was a tattoo.
The rigid steed