#toomuchsuper

     Actually, as difficult as this weekend was, I had a blast and there wasn't enough "Super."  I went into the weekend really expecting a top 15 for both days.  I did not get it.  Neither day.

Bib # 15 represented my goal for the weekend.

     Saturday was an exceptionally beautiful day for the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Mid-60's with crystal clear skies.  The field was 45 deep, and everyone was fast off the line into the first corner and onto an off camber followed by a few more off camber 180's.  Every corner was followed by a climb that was longer than I wanted it to be and the downhills were shorter than I had hoped.  The technical features were few and far between.  Even the stairs that were in the middle of a long climb, did little to help separate those that rode them from those that dismounted and ran them.  At least that's how I looked at it.  Everyone around me seemed to be riding up these climbs without great effort and I was struggling with every pedal stroke.  I finished 16th on the day and was trying to find reasons for me not to be too disappointed.  I decided, though, that Sunday was a new day.  And if the weather forecast was correct, I would be getting a chance to play in the mud (which I love to do)!

Snow-capped mountains while driving to the course.

     I was pretty excited when I woke up Sunday and the ground was saturated from the rain (and snow) from early that morning.  However my dad (travel buddy and pit crew for the weekend) and I got to the course and the sub-freezing temps and howling wind made it a little less exciting than I had initially thought.

I kept reminding myself that Nationals are in Connecticut in January! #crossishere

I actually had the best start on Sunday that I've had all season.  On the same off camber as Saturday's start (except extra slick) everybody in the first 10 spots took the high line one after the other after the other.  I was the first person to take the low line, and found myself 6th wheel after a crash on the high line held a few people up.  The first few turns I felt great.  I was certain I could maintain the effort and get myself another top 10.  The next few turns I found myself spinning tires and going backwards.  It didn't matter who's wheel I followed, I couldn't stay on it.  I handled my bike in the corners well, but through the straights I was losing time.  There were people sliding out all over the place, but I still wasn't making up ground.  I changed bikes every lap and kept Dad busy with the pressure washer.  Two laps to go I had him drop the pressure in my tires and when I changed bikes half a lap later, it was night and day.  I finally felt like I could get somewhere.  Maybe it was mental, I don't know, but I managed to make up two spots after that.  Had I still had another half lap I could have maybe gotten another one or two; there just wasn't enough real estate at that point.  I finished Sunday at 19th place...barely squeaking into the top 20.

Post-race pic with my pit crew.

     Dad did a great job as my pit crew keeping my bikes as clean as possible for me every bike change.  And considering we never practiced bike changes, actually pulled it off fairly seamlessly.  Supercross was not my A race for the season (actually not any of my B races either).  I was not training for this race specifically, and I can't expect to have a great race every time I toe the line.  Yes, I'm a little disappointed in my results, but for me not to take anything away from the weekend would be a wasted trip.

  So a few things I learned on the weekend:
-13 psi is not too low for some conditions.  Its really important to experiment with different pressures more during my pre-ride.  Especially when the conditions are the way they were.
-I raced with leg warmers for the first time in a UCI race and they didn't get in the way at all...extra clothing is not necessarily a bad thing when its warranted.
-Having your pit crew make changes to the bike in the middle of the race is something that should be done without hesitation.  If it will help then do what needs to be done.
-The race is not over until the line.  Keep making adjustments until something works and keep pushing.
-Longer toe spikes are a must for conditions like Sunday.
-Being able to feel your toes and the bottom of your feet is crucial, even more so when there is a lot of off the bike involved.  I should really keep that in mind when putting my kit on before a race.

I know I've learned more just by being there and getting the experience, so to come out of the weekend completely disappointed is not logical.  I'm going into a rest week and then I start looking towards Nationals.  Capital Cross, NCGP, and the final, Rustbucket Race, will be leading me into it.  Here's to looking forward!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

#ucicx #supercrosscx #toomuchsuper #mermaidwinery #mermaidwinecx #tradewindsracing #procx