Minnesota Mountain Bike Series

Let me start by admitting something.  I never thought I would be seen
on a mountain bike, much less ever race on one.  Ninety pounds ago, I
would scoff with my Starbucks as my husband geared up and prepared for a lap or five at various trails in the metro area.  Flash forward, I
am now the one putting on the jersey and spandex shorts, greasing up
my chain, and anxiously awaiting my tires to hit the fresh dirt.
Quite a change for this girl, I can assure you!  Now I am the
quintessential definition of a Citizen racer - new to competition, and
ready for some action!

The third race in the MNSCS series was the Dirt Spanker Classic, held
at Mont Du Lac in Duluth, Minnesota.  After a disheartening DNF at Erik’s Spring Cup, I shied away from Afton, blaming my lack of confidence on an inferior bike.  However, having the taste of competition still lingering on my tongue, I begged my husband to find me the perfect bike.  It arrived just in time to convince me to register for the Dirt Spanker, and prove to myself I could finish a race.

Saturday morning’s drive from Minneapolis to Duluth gave me plenty of
time to speculate about the course.  The guidebook to the MNSCS series boasted “leg burning climbs and screaming descents”.  A former racer previously had mentioned she flipped over her handlebars attempting one of those “screaming descents”.  Rubbing the bruise I had recently received from an unfriendly Buck Hill ski lift post, I questioned my sanity for the next seventy miles.

Leaving my husband to tend to his bike, I rode over to the monstrosity
of a hill casting its shadow on the chalet below.  I tried to make it to the summit, but only made it a quarter of the way.  Ugh.  There will be plenty of better racers out here tomorrow.  How would I measure up?

The evening brought rain, and the following morning, competitors of each class were questioning the mud.  As some sort of blessing, it was
announced the Citizens would be starting halfway up the hill.  The relieved faces of the intimidated racers were enough to help me feel a
little more at home.  Soon after the men of the Citizen class were released, our group was called up to the starting line.

Following the count, it was every woman for herself as the hill defeated climbers one by one.  A few powered through, leaving myself and a couple others walking to the ridge.  Thanks to the pre-ride, I knew to expect three separate down-hills and three quick, steep climbs.  After making my way to the singletrack, I could hear brakes squealing in the distance from the wet grass.  Then there was nothing.  I was dead last.

The dull roar of the motorbike behind me, I felt an odd mix of feelings.  Disappointment - how could I be last?  How heinous of me. Gratitude - I am so glad no one is around me, I am horrible in traffic!  After a couple of minutes of these conflicting feelings, I heard a ruffling in the leaves behind me.  It was another woman rider.   I was not last, after all!  Her technical abilities, however, outshone mine, and soon she was asking politely to get around.  I let her pass, felt that wave of disappointment once again, and finally made peace with the motorbike noise following me.  It wasn’t until about halfway through the course that I came upon two older gentlemen.  Asking for a chance to pass at their convenience, they both let me by.  Excitement coursed through my body…I had passed boys!  Not boys, MEN!

The invigoration of knowing I would finish, and finish ahead of people, filled me with the determination to go on.  It would later be described as carnage - broken chains here, a bent crank there, but I survived!  Babble Creek was no match for me!  I even rode some parts of the course I had ruled out on the pre-ride!  I was unstoppable! That is, until I reached the final sharp descent.  Marked by a bright orange cooler to the right, and the adorable presence of fellow WannaBee Racer/photographer Sarah Williams cheering me on from the left, I suddenly froze.  I couldn’t do it.  Fail.

I clipped out, grabbed the stem of my new GT, and hoofed it down that
hill and up the following climb as fast as humanly possible.  It was shortly thereafter when I ran into the other woman rider!  Where she had me on technical ability, I must have had her on the longer hills. I passed her, and she gave me a smile and wished me luck.

I pedaled as fast as my feet would rotate, and then realized where I
was.  I was at the final hill.  My heart was racing, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.  Riding up it both times yesterday, I had it in my mind that I would be able to again.  I was wrong.  I tried, but there was nothing left.  From behind me I heard “Sam! Keep going!  You’re almost there!”  It was Sarah Williams, my guardian angel, cheering me on yet again!  She ran over, and chastised me for not drinking enough water.  At that point, I was confused as to what this “water” stuff was that she kept referring to.  She motioned for me to drink from my water bottle, which I realized was still full.  I drank some water, and started to walk.  Then I ran.  Much like the slowest possible lightening bolt in the sky, I finally made it to the finish line in a flash!

The Dirt Spanker was my first completed race of my MNSCS experience. I ended up with a second place medal for my age group, and a true feeling of confidence and achievement.  My goal was to finish, and my goal was exceeded.  Competition is healthy and great, but the true greatness is in the sense of community that these events provide. Like anywhere in life, you will run into people with negative
attitudes, even within the sport of mountain biking.  However, it is
my experience that the majority of those out there are genuinely
cheering you on, and always available to offer you advice and support.
 I have met so many amazing female mountain bikers in the past couple
months that I am compelled to keep riding.  Through their examples, I
am honing my technical skills and bettering my abilities as a rider.
Mt. Kato is the next race in the MNSCS series, and I will be out
there.  Will you?