Race Report: Bonelli XC Challenge

Starting & Finishing Line

Bright, beautiful day 70+ degree day. Oh how I love Southern California in the winter. I raced in the Beginner Clydesdale category and let’s just say I made a newbie mistake at the end that cost me 2nd place.

After getting off to a slower start, I quickly found my groove which happened to be at the upper end of my heartrate threshold. I know this because I was sucking wind the WHOLE time. I had pre-ridden the course the day before and, on race day, after mile two I had a strong feeling that my pre-ride had been a bad idea. I appreciated knowing exactly where I was supposed to go but the ride the day before had tired my legs out and the sun baking on me for two consecutive days was sapping my energy. But that’s what a race is all about. Going out, having fun, overcoming challenges and seeing how you do at the end.

We’re all kind of tense before the ride: Jeremy, Tim & Priscilla

From the get go, my race was between me and the 2nd place finisher, Chris. We seemed to match up pretty well. We exchanged leads a few times. Everytime I passed him my thoughts were on placing 2nd as I’m sure his were as well. The first place guy went out of the gates fast and although I caught him in the first two miles I never saw him again after that.

The race went pretty well for me. I had one mechanical problem (a dropped chain) but it was fixed within 10 seconds and I pretty much rode how I thought I’d ride from the day before. The only thing that went wrong was at the end. Here’s my mistake: I thought that since this was a loop, you’d go out one way and come in from the opposite way. But, although this race was set up as a loop, you come out and go back in the same way.

Showing our cool Pricepoint.com shirts

Because I didn’t know this and wasn’t looking at the trail tape I hooked a right when I should have gone straight. I knew immediately that I made a mistake and heard a swoosh go by as Chris, who was trailing me by about 4 seconds, passed me. As I made my mistake I yelled out a guttural “NOOOOO� to everyone who could hear me. Since there was only a downhill 100 yards left there was no time to catch up. I got back on the trail to finish 9 seconds behind 2nd place.

Overall it was a great ride. I think I pushed myself pretty hard, conquered a few challenges, learned from my mistakes and had a great time. I also got to get up on the podium wearing my www.pricepoint.com shirt so that was pretty cool.