On my mountain bike

I completed a personal challenge of riding the New Hampshire 100. Thanks to Patrick for keeping my mountain bike operating through my practice rides this summer and to Luna Chix and NEBC mountain bike team for their clinics which taught me the basic skills I needed to stay on bike for well, as long as I managed too. This was my longest competitive event yet and did not disappoint in terms of the emotional highs and lows endurance events are known for. Highs were some fast riding down dirt roads the first 10 miles, making it up some hills on loose dirt roads, and enjoying the views in the forests.

Lows started at about mile 40 when I started going very, very slowly on mossy rocky singletrack sections. I pushed my bike more during the race than I expected. I even pushed up a few climbs- and it was to the point where today my arms are sore and my legs are fine. Over the next 15 miles, I suffered 3 mishaps and was passed by perhaps 15 guys. One end-o causing a bash of knee on rock. One clip of bars on a tree while descending, causing a crash and near miss with wacking head on a rock. 3nd mishap involved a water crossing. There was one place where the route went through a deep puddle to the point where I was pedaling under the water. That was kind of fun. Not long after I came to another large muddy puddle. I didn't see a way around it, although later I found there was indeed a path to the side. I headed into the puddle with some speed and got about one bike length in the water before the bottom fell out and my bike went nearly under the water (wheels were fully submerged). I jumped off and tried to take the bike with me, but it was going nowhere. The wheels were stuck fast in the mud! I positioned myself on the "shore" of the puddle and yanked as hard as I could to free the bike. Riding into water like that was a mistake that I won't repeat!!! I finished the race with some bruising on the the legs, but still riding strong and ready for more practice on my mountain bike.

Top highlight of the day was when Patrick received a medal for 3rd place in the 25 mile ride. He was not aware that this was his first race on a mountain bike too!