RIDE 4 RWANDA = RIDE OF THE YEAR
IT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO YEARS SINCE I RACED MY MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIOUSLY. Today, I wonder why I ever left. It was just perfect, and it wasn't a "race" - but it was. As a sponsor of the Ride 4 Rwanda, my plan was to show up early and raise the canopy then putt around and make it a social ride. But, when I rolled up to the start all that changed.
The police escort to the trail head just made the urge to kill it that much stronger.
Some get antsy in a tight pack of mountain bikers racing hard for the double track, and clean trail lines. I don't. I find top level XC racers to be far better bike handlers with far greater spacial awareness than roadies and crit specialists. Relatively relaxed, I slipped up to the top 10.
Staying up front and out of the dust is worth the effort.
Did I peak a week late? I asked. Last weekend's Sea Otter Classic was my target race of the year. I was somewhat disappointed. This was a "ride". I felt great and was right with some of the fastest guys around.. Rested. Smooth. Easy.
You know what else was smooth and easy?... that new drive train. The XX Eagle 10-50 cassette and 32 up front, the new chain and the new GripShifter was buttah. That upgrade along with the dropper-post I added a few weeks made for some very fast riding.
This fast.
to climb so high and see so far,
to be dirty,
with friends.
it's a magical event,
raising hundreds of thousands of dollars so kids can ride their bikes to school and work...
maybe the magic will visit you like it did me.
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