This is the third year that I've raced the Stan Crane Memorial. In 2010 I experienced chain suck for the first time, it cost me the win, but the race was still valuable. On the start line one of the expert women told me that I should move up to the pro category. I was taken aback, but then it gave me the fire I needed to race well. I passed a few pro women and was in the lead before my chain suck. It was frustrating but gave me the confidence needed to move up to the pro category.
Then in 2011, I was comfortable in the pro category and ready for a fun race. However, with all the mud and what ended up being a crank with warranty issues, I had the worst chain suck ever. I couldn't even pedal the last lap. I rode my bike like a scooter for the last 7.5 miles and finished off the back by 30 minutes.
2012 went much better than 2010 & 2011. My bike worked perfectly and I felt pretty good for the whole race. We raced a different course than the past 2 years, it was similar to USCS Super XC from last year. The majority of descent was new cut trail; very bump, but it will be fun once it smoothes out. Fun swoopy turns and banked corners. Lots of people were complaining about sore arms and hands from the bumpy trail, but honestly, my hands and arms were fine. I'd attribute the majority of that to my awesome ESI Grips! I finished in 1st place with almost a 3 minute gap. It was great to finally have a good race on that course.
When I walked up to the podium one of the girls said I should lift my bike over my head. I love a dare, so went for it! Ed, the race director, said something about my 18 pound bike over my head on the microphone. So I had a couple people come over to lift up my Rocky Mountain Vertex. It's probably closer to 19.5, but it still feels super light and is no problem to lift over head!
Then in 2011, I was comfortable in the pro category and ready for a fun race. However, with all the mud and what ended up being a crank with warranty issues, I had the worst chain suck ever. I couldn't even pedal the last lap. I rode my bike like a scooter for the last 7.5 miles and finished off the back by 30 minutes.
2012 went much better than 2010 & 2011. My bike worked perfectly and I felt pretty good for the whole race. We raced a different course than the past 2 years, it was similar to USCS Super XC from last year. The majority of descent was new cut trail; very bump, but it will be fun once it smoothes out. Fun swoopy turns and banked corners. Lots of people were complaining about sore arms and hands from the bumpy trail, but honestly, my hands and arms were fine. I'd attribute the majority of that to my awesome ESI Grips! I finished in 1st place with almost a 3 minute gap. It was great to finally have a good race on that course.
When I walked up to the podium one of the girls said I should lift my bike over my head. I love a dare, so went for it! Ed, the race director, said something about my 18 pound bike over my head on the microphone. So I had a couple people come over to lift up my Rocky Mountain Vertex. It's probably closer to 19.5, but it still feels super light and is no problem to lift over head!
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| KC, Megan, Erica, Jen |