Chasing the Coyote

The day dawned dry and sunny in NH, but as we made our way to the race in Fairlee, VT, just over the border, the clouds started to thicken and the rain started to really come down before the Cat 2/Sport riders moved off the starting line. The Coyote Hill Classis is just that....a classic. Some big climbs with some killer fun singletrack downhill....and mud! There is something different about the mud in Vermont, something that makes it pack down in your tires and makes running in it something of a comedy show (yes, I was off the bike, a lot). But I still love that course!

By the time the Cat 1/Expert riders started the sun was out again, but the course was now ridden over with a slick coating of mud. We did 3 laps (about 5-6 miles each), allowing plenty of opportunity to "master" that tricky section. The GT Marathon Pro "Marty" excelled at this race! I used all the travel and was thankful for the Kenda Karma tires...they rolled and gripped with the best of them....and no pinch flats despite running low pressures. And the shifting was flawless despite all the mud caked in the derailleur and the cogs!

This race was one where everyone just rode their own race. At the beginning of the downhill on the first lap I moved into the first place position in my age group (second overall) and never saw another woman again on the course. I finished in 2 hours and 8 minutes, a mere minute slower than first place overall. I'm pleased with the race I rode, glad that both myself and the bike withstood the less than ideal conditions!

Next Sunday is the Bear Brook Blast Off, the second of the EFTA races. The course is in great shape after having put in some corduroy in some of the wet spots this past Saturday. John, Dave Maz, Dawn and I will be out arrowing on Friday. The course was a little longer than anticipated....14 miles for the novice and 25 miles for the sport and expert. I think we'll still be seeing sub 2 hour times though.....Hope to see you there!

Blogging is Better

Here I sit, doing anything but make that phone call.....even writing on my blog is better than having to talk to John O'Conner, the contact person at Merrimack Valley Trail Riders. You see....each year the MVTR holds the NH Classic Charity Motocross Ride to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and each year about 500 motorcycles use trails in Bear Brook and Pawtuckaway State Parks in NH. I've been able to keep the motorcycles off the hiking trails for 2 of the past 3 years. Last year I just let them ride.....and did they hear about it. There was a big outcry from the mt. biking community about the destruction of the trails. Unfortunately, it seems as though that cry fell upon deaf ears. They are planning on using the same trails this year! I'm all for the ride, don't get me wrong. I just feel strongly that they need to stay on the snowmobile trails, trails reinforced to withstand motorized traffic, and stay off the hiking trails. And so here I sit, pondering the call, working on my blog.

On the other fronts, training and preparing the course for the Bear Brook Blast-Off is going well. The course is set and is going to be really fun for the race! Novice will do one lap, sport and expert 2 laps, the elite 3 laps. The course is at least 85% single track! If it doesn't rain, it has the possibility of being the best race of the season.

This weekend I"m planning on racing and helping out at the Coyote Hill Race. Tom Matherson and his wife Gabby run Coyote Hill Camps in Fairlee, VT. They are wonderful folk and have an absolutely wonderful program at the camp. It's been a few years since I've ridden there....looking forward to the downhill!

Day Off

Finally....rain allows 1 day off the bike! Been riding and training hard this week, along with lots of trail work getting ready for the EFTA race in Bear Brook on May 31st. I'm in charge of putting the course together and as such I'm a bit anal about the condition of the course. I've always loved a course that's fun, challenging, but rideable...and that's what I hope to create for the Bear Brook Blast Off. We had a great showing of support at the trail maintenance day on Saturday. We had over 20 people thanks to the members of the NH Quarter Horse Association. We cleared off a large portion of the trails, and everything could go "as is" for the race, but I'm picky! I hope to ride the course with the race promoter, Kelly VonRuden, tomorrow to iron out a few details. You can keep yourself posted by visiting www.bearbrookblastoff.com for details. Hope to see lots of you at the race!

As for the local riding....new trails behind the hospital in Concord. A great section of downhill with beautifully constructed bermed turns! A few technical spots, one of which threw me over the handlebars.....AGAIN! I"m beginning to think "Marty" is throwing me off for fun, much like a horse....but alas....I'm sure it's just the rider!