Sol Vista Mountain Bike Nationals

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This past Friday I was able to participate in my first ever National caliber cycling event. I qualified for the Category 2 (sport) class back in June when I took 2nd at the Sand Creek International/U.S. Cup race at Cheyenne Mountain State Park here in the Springs. Both the U.S. Cup race and Nationals have been on my calendar since February when the majority of 2009's races were announced but, I had no intention or interest in either race until recently. They were on my calendar as back-up plans or "filler" races in case I couldn't find a road race on those particular weekends.
Well, plans and goals often change and mid-way through this season I changed my goal of becoming a Cat. 3 roadie to becoming a podium finishing Cat. 1 (expert/semi-pro) mountain bike racer. After taking 1st & 2nd (each 2nd was due to mechanicals such as flat tires & broken chains) in 4 of the local series races I applied for an upgrade to become that Cat. 1 mountain racer...and was denied. I felt like a sand-bagger at the local races and felt it almost necessary to explain that I had applied for an upgrade and was denied. Ah well, it gave me some extra incentive to finish on the podium at Nats.
And I did just that. Honestly, I expected myself to win but, a kid from the 'Boat (steamboat springs) sponsored by Moots put me in the red from the start. I had failed to get a pre-ride of the course and at 2.25 miles in I had to let go of the kid's wheel and ride my own race. I was unsure of how long he could keep up his pace since I had never ridden with or raced against him. But, before he dropped me he was talking like the pace and elevation weren't hurting and I was barely breathing. I ended up finishing in 2nd, just 2 minutes behind him.
Overall I'm pretty satisfied about the result. I'm now officially a Cat. 1 and having a blast. First test as a Cat. 1 will be on my own stomping grounds...State Games of the West's race at the Air Force Academy's "Falcon Trail." Hopefully I don't get stomped.