more than just another bike blog

Thursday, July 13, 2006

I SUCK AND I HATE MYSELF!!!


Argh! I pre-rode the XC course at Infineon today. It's essentially the same course as last year. I remember not liking the course last year, but since it was my very first mountain bike race ever, I didn't have anything to compare it to.

Well, I still hate it!

What a demoralizing experience. I felt like a poser -- like I didn't know how to ride a mtn bike and I didn't have the legs to climb half the course. I guess it didn't help that I'm still not recovered from the Death Ride and still struggling with dehydration.

Did I mention that I hate myself right now?

As I was riding, I decided I wouldn't race on Saturday. Of course, as I drove home and had dinner, I'm kinda changing my mind. It doesn't make sense to race if my legs are dead though.

Highlight of the day: Barry Wicks is riding behind me on the single track and says something like "I think I'll swing by on your right if that's okay." If that's okay? What a nice, polite guy. Of course, I recognized his unique voice behind me immediately. The pros are usually pretty cool, it's the freds that are total jerks. Not five minutes later, I'm climbing the fire road from hell and some old, fat hairy-legged dude who smells like cheap cologne rides up to me and makes some comment about speed. I honestly can't tell if he's hitting on me or insulting me. He says he's a "rookie" -- this will be his 3rd race. I ask him if he's trying to make friends or enemies (since it felt like he was insulting me).



So, near the end of the course, the local ABC affiliate is set up with a camera crew. The XC and Super-D courses merge, which means only one thing: Y-I-K-E-S!!! Apparently the XC course was supposed to go down the fire road and some yahoo thought it would be more fun to descend the Super-D course, with two steep drops and a bunch of bermy off-camber stuff. I stand at the top, knowing I feel crappy and totally without confidence, hoping some folks will go by so I can watch them. A group of guys from WTB are hanging out too, one of them with a helmet cam. Then all the lovely pro Bellas go by. And then one of the guys who works at the bike shop with me. Anyways, at this point I've decided there's no way I'm riding that drop with all these folks around so I turn back, head around the tape and start down the fire road. About half-way down there's one more Bella (the new one from Oklahoma, soon to be Idaho, she said, I can't remember her name). She askes me if this is a joke (riding the Super-D course). We chat, she gives me a little pep talk and off we go. Thank you, Bella, whoever you are!

Anyways, I feel a little better getting this out of my system. Still not sure I'll race on Saturday. Tomorrow is a clinic with Marla and Allison so I'll get to check it all out again and maybe get a little mojo from the big girls.



Please, God, let me have my legs back!!!

7 Comments:

At 7/15/2006 3:33 PM, Blogger X Bunny said...

i'm no expert on this (or many things i blather on about regarding cycling or other things on these blogs) because i've never done it

but pab's done the death ride twice and basically won't do it during race season anymore because it ruins him for racing for weeks

really--i've seen it

so your legs will come back, but cut them some slack

and don't be so hard on yourself--you are awesome!!

 
At 7/16/2006 7:33 AM, Blogger erein said...

Now what would you say to one of your clients if they told you the same thing?

Don't say such mean things to yourself, you're going to hurt your own feelings. :/

 
At 7/17/2006 10:24 AM, Blogger norcalcyclingnews.com said...

you're cute when you're melodramatic.

hope you had fun and got some sleep!

 
At 7/17/2006 12:10 PM, Blogger Velo Bella said...

That was probably Erika Kumpleman

the bella I mean, not the fat hairy legged guy with too much cologne

 
At 7/17/2006 1:44 PM, Blogger Lorri Lee Lown -- velogirl said...

No, Jed, wasn't you. But it was nice seeing you on Friday. Keep up the good work.

 
At 7/17/2006 1:49 PM, Blogger marscat said...

yes, totally agree about the freditude vs.
the pros

 
At 7/17/2006 1:57 PM, Blogger EB said...

It seems like it's that time in the season...don't be too hard on yourself! Just think about all the people who don't even bother to try and challenge themselves like that. At the very least you ought to be having more fun than them!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home