Lake Hope Mountain Bike Racing - Left My Jelly & Bread At Home

Right after my finish

This looks bad right?

Real quick from my phone, Yesterdays mountain bike race at Lake Hope. Rain, rain and more rain turned the trail into a sloppy peanut butter mess. Odd thing, the trail was faster and easier to race while it was raining. Once it stopped or slowed, the trail got tacky, sloppy, slippery, and turned into a wild stallion ride around every corner and down every hill. Of course, I still wanted to, a) live to ride another day b) make it to work today and c) have energy to finish.

looks like doody on my saddle?

Mud and more so the peanut butter mud will suck the life out of your legs and back in a 30 mile race. I let the air out of my back tire twice. No luck gaining any traction. I ended up walking a few sections where I just couldn't even find traction to walk, let alone pedal.
I spent some time singing Peanut Butter Jelly time to myself and wondering why I keep putting myself through the pain of these expert races. The mental battle raged on the latter half as my avg speed was reduced and my legs shouted out explatives at me.
I know I wasn't in the top five of my group about 12-15 of Vet Expert starters, I was however one of the top 5 into the woods after the start and the climb up the gravel road and on the rollers before the trail entrance.

Dried - at Home

I had no shifting issues, contrary to the 5.5 lbs of mud on my bike at the end of the race. I weighed it when I got home, then spent two hours cleaning my bike, bike clothes, shoes, camelbak and helmet.
However, my back is killing me today.
I felt pretty amazing for about 85% of the 30 miles which is a great sign. I also think about comparing riding 30 miles at Mohican and how long that would take....so that brings perspective to my finish time and effort on the day, considering the peanut butter time.

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