ILRA XC

I had originally planned on racing the 6 hours of stony on Saturday May 11th.  I woke up that morning and just couldn't fight the urge to race the tailwind racing XC race at ILRA.  That place is like a giant reminiscence of times past when I began riding in 1997 on my blue aluminum Nishiki.  Years ago on one of my many rides out at ILRA I saw tailwind racing signage.  I tossed around the idea of racing then, but was too intimidated.  I couldn't even tell you what year that was.  My understanding is that it's been years since anyone has been allowed to have hold a mtb race at ILRA.

I pulled up close to the Sweet Bikes tent where Seth and Emily were hanging out.  They both thought I showed up to the wrong race and I told them I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to race at ILRA.  I registered, reluctantly, for the elite/pro category and headed back to the van to get geared up.  Seth was making last minute bike setup changes and warming up with me here and there. 

We both decided to get in our waves for the start.  It was cold and rained a little that morning.  I think it was in the mid 40's for our start.  I wore knickers and a short sleeved jersey.  I was shivering so much waiting for our start that a nice man in front of us offered to let me wear his jacket.  I thanked him and explained to him that I prefer to be cold at the start than comfortable.  Comfortable means I'll probably over heat - a little lesson learned from iceman. 

It seemed like it took forever for our wave to lineup to start.  It was on the gas from 1.  Sue and Erin were in the front from the start.  I hung on till about the first climb and never saw them again.  At this time I figured I was in 4th since another Canadian racer was ahead of me.  Abby Owsley pulled us through quite a bit of the 1st lap.  We finally caught the other Canadian, Melanie Bernier, atop the climb next to the road where you see the smiley face.  I was happy to catch her.  The three of us rode together through the completion of the 1st lap and all the way to the sprint finish that I didn't participate in.  I can say I had the most fun I've ever had racing that day.  I've never actually rode with other competition the entire race.  I can only hope for more racing like that in the near future. 

Emily Kleinglass raced and ended up in second.  It's always fun to watch new racers really enjoy themselves.  She seemed to really have a good time. 

I got to meet Cru Simpson, Scott and Chrissie Simpson's baby boy.  Chrissie picked out the name for their son not knowing anything about the movie Rad Racing, a film about BMX bike racing, and the main characters name Cru Jones.  Needless to say Scott, a very enthusiastic BMXer, was happy with the name.