My weekend at XC Nationals didn't turn out the way I'd planned. I was racing my best race of the season, in 6th place comfortably, when I had a mechanical that ultimately forced me to the sidelines. One thing that is hard to understand is how luck plays a role in this racing game I play. I had the perfect lead up to this race, my body and mind were in the game, I had the course dialed, DIALED! I was racing my very best. Sometimes the body is perfect, the mind is perfect and the bike is perfect and you put together a race you are proud of. This was not that weekend for me. So it's, onward and upward from here! Thanks for the pit and mechanical support I had from Stan's NoTubes all weekend, Richie is top notch! Massive thanks to Jamis Bicycles for supporting me and making my favorite bike in the whole wide world, I love my Dakar XCR!

(Taken during the pre-ride)

Start line

Start of the race

Rock Garden

Also of note is the fact that my little family was there! I can't thank them enough for coming all the way to Pennsylvania to support me for the entire week. I'm so grateful to have a husband that supports me in traveling all over the world, chasing my dream and a son that is willing to stand in the sun and draw race posters for cheering! (Translation of his poster; "Jamis, the Jamis logo, GO MOM").