What it is all about...

Little Bellas intensely listening to Lea and the other Pro Ladies

One year ago today, I was having Kristen rescue me from an overnight hospital stay after attempting to challenge myself via an A-line jump gamble. While the jump attempt was a failure, I’ve learned a lot in a year.

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Saturday, we drove up to Williston, VT and luckily were able to stay with awesome friends for a weekend of riding/racing bikes, picking blackberries, having great conversations, playing legos, and cheering on friends! (I'm so grateful/thankful for this amazing community-day in and day out) 

Puppy pets/blackberry picking/cheering on friends

I entered the short track race for Saturday and felt hopeful at my chances, given my previous history. I worked for the hole shot, lead the first lap until a little knoll on the backstretch let the rest of the gal crew engulf me, slingshot past me, never to be seen again. I felt like I had power but was missing the energy levels to go behind my strength. I was embarrassed and honestly, a part of me still is, but it is fading. While I was faster per lap, compared to the previous year, it didn’t hold a candle to the girls I was racing with.
Twenty-five years my junior and they kicked my behind. And that is how it should be, honestly.

Those amazing young gals kicked butt and shredded so fast! It is inspiring to see and I hope they keep it up, keep kicking my butt, and keep getting faster!!

Sunday was the regular XC race and I decided to race in the Pro field, to challenge myself but to also have competition to ride with. My start wasn’t my usual quick clip/hammer outta the gates, for my chain skipped down a gear. I didn’t crash or take anyone else out, and made up a couple of spots going into the single track. I was happy to feel good but then my lead legs showed up, and I got passed to become DFL.
Side Note: This is how I always feel after stopping for 5-10 minutes after getting my legs warm. I need to figure out a way to keep my legs moving during the 15min start line call up jazz, for I feel like if I could get the 10 minute lead legged junk to pass quicker at the beginning of a race, I could have fighting chance.
I didn’t take any A-Line gambles this time, but I have faith in my ability that I could have done them, for I played around during a practice lap, but it wasn’t worth the risk. Additionally, sections that I flew down in the past, I was a bit more apprehensive at race pace. That made my times suffer some, for going downhill fast is my bread and butter. As I climbed the second uphill, I made my goal to beat my time from last year of a little over 29 minutes.
When I reached the back end of the course, in the flow-y berms sections, I saw a fellow Pro lady and was surprised to be within sight distance. I picked up my pace and really worked the berms and flow corners, which I love, tapping the brakes maybe twice. I caught and passed her and was floored at myself. She was too and I tried to push it before the back stretch that was a hot/gradual uphill into grass that sucks your energy outta your legs. I also looked down at my Garmin, hoping to be under 30 minutes and I was a tidbit over 26 minutes before we hit the grass slog. I had beat my previous years time by 3 minutes on the first lap. I was hopeful to stay in that range.
I held of the gal off I had passed until we started climbing again on our second lap. She passed me and I kept pushing myself to stick to her wheel. She made a gap and I kept creeping back, then I made a stupid bobble/topple over mistake because I spun my back wheel out on a root and lost traction. It took me a few moments to get out of my bike and back on, but I had hope I could snag her again.
I was pushing it, but trying to snag onto a fast wheel, on the section of course that was my weakest strength (climbing), was hard. I captured a couple more glimpses of her, but a couple more dabs on my end, and she gone! The second lap was not smooth and my time addition of 3 minutes, showed it. (Second side note: it was 5+ minutes faster than the second lap from the previous year and I kept going. I only did two laps last year due to a bad back)
I shifted my goal to keep my last two laps under 30 min. It was close, but I did it, and finished. I'm not gonna lie. It doesn't always feel good to to finish last of the pack, but when I looked at results, I was only a little over a minute away from the lady I was trying to snag. I also have to take a step back and realize that I made improvements from last year, so that is a positive outlook, regardless of my placing.
But enough about me.

40+ Shredders ready to roll

Rollin' with a good crew

I have learned that through mountain biking that I (we) can make an impact. I knew this before, have done it before, and try to keep doing it. After my race, I took part in a chapter visit with the local Little Bellas session day and I tell you what; It made me smile and realize again, that there is so much more joy in riding bikes, spreading that joy and confidence building, then where I finish or if I can take the A-Line or not.

I don't even know where to begin. These rad Little Bellas had a blast hanging with a bunch of girls, getting Pro rider autographs, riding bikes, playing games, and learning new skills. I was super impressed with the coordination and ease all of the mentors exhibited. I was blown away at how good the beginners7-8yr olds rocked it over roots/rocks/dips. I couldn't stop smiling at all the sideways concentration tongues sticking out during the dab games. Finally, my eyes watered from the joy, upon hearing second hand, how some of these Little Bellas excitedly told their mom or dad how much fun they had, that they couldn't wait til next week, and how they were not going to take a shower b/c of the autographs on their arms.

Serious game of dab happening!

In the end, my results don't make a difference to anyone. They only matter to me, won't effect anyone else, and they don't help others gain confidence or inspire change. Only sharing my excitement and bringing the joy of mountain biking to others can do that. This is where I (we) can continually make a difference. Challenging, laughing, having fun with, and learning from the younger generations. It makes a difference now and will make a difference later on.

This is what it is all about.