I fared equally well in both. Which is to say, I kind of floundered around. In the first race, which took place right across the street from my house on the WSCU campus, I raced against two pro mountain bikers and a bunch of guys. When I crashed and hit my head, my result became inevitable.
Le sigh.
I finished, albeit with a massive headache and some whiplash.
The next week, we headed back to Grand Junction, where I raced against the former pro mountain biker who LAPPED me two races prior and a girl who won the A race one race prior.
LTR Events does a bang up job of creating rad cyclocross courses, but when it comes to vetting their racers? They might want to work on that.
After Grand Junction, I hung up my bike for the season. All of my bikes, actually. Snow is on the ground. It's cold. And to be honest, I'm tired of cleaning my bike. Not that I do it that much, but I really hate it when I do.
I had a stellar season. Even starting late due to injury, I rode for 8 straight months. I rode indoors on my trainer a grand total of ZERO times. In preparation for the West Elk, I rode my ass off on my road bike all while I rode my ass off on my mountain bike and definitely improved my skills. I prepared not at all for cyclocross season and focused on having a damn good time. That I did.
Hanging up my bikes right now seems satisfying. In previous years, I came to a point that I looked
at my bike with disgust. Not this year. I am thrilled to move on to ski season, but I can. not. wait. to get back on the bike in the spring.
Until then, I'll be skiing- skate, classic, telemark, resort, backcountry...whatever. Does it involve snow and planks? I'M IN.
This is how we warm up for cyclocross racing in town. I can pretty much guarantee no other racers utilized our unique form of warm up.
Mid-week ski with this guy. He is confused why these skis are so skinny.
The views from the nordic track are pretty good.
I'm smiling because Tygh finally fell asleep after screaming for 30 minutes. It was a nice way to pierce the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains.
My twice-weekly ski conditioning class ended this week. It was painful. But good. But painful. But good. Let's hope telemark skiing is less painful because of the eight weeks of suffering I put in.
This is apparently my "confused and angry" race face. Or something.
My name is mud. Literally.
2/3 of my pit crew.
Being on the pit crew is hard work.
The next day? Screw cycling. Time to ski. This was the traffic jam we faced.
A little family nordic action.
Hazel insisted we all ski behind her. This is her being tolerant while I took a picture in front of her.
Monday brought me back to the nordic track, this time with just Tygh.
We learned all about every sound every single animal makes. Ever. He is my ski buddy.
