Because of the rain last Saturday, the race was held on the Wednesday night after. I got to tell you, having a race at night is way different. It's just weird that's all. The bad thing about having a race at night was that they made the race shorter but they had my class the same, thank goodness. I never did this race last year when I started racing again so I really wanted to do this one. This course was probably my favorite course out all 13 races held all year. The climbs are great and the downhills are a real treat. The weather wasn't decent though but after 10 minutes getting into the race(in a canyon) has gotten a lot better, no wind or rain, and because of the working on the bike by getting the body temperature up, wasn't so bad. At the start line, the cold air blew hard with a few sprinkles, then after climbing on that service road, everything got perfect, especially into the forest, it just got real nice and quiet. Starting the race is the hardest part because it started with a hard granny gearing service road climb for like a mile, after that everything else wasn't so bad, actually I thought it was great. I just had to climb that brutal climb for a fun downhill on the Pipeline Trail down towards Deer Crest. I used to climb up the Pipeline Trail a lot when I was living in Provo, but not going down it, I think going down it is funner. At the bottom of the canyon, we all made a u-turn and climbed up a longer climb along the Gap Trail. This climb wasn't so bad because it's not as steep and I was mostly in my middle chainring. It was all switchbacks though, and that made it a lot funner. I did pass a lot other racers and did a lot better. On the that first climb at the start, I got sick, it felt like that all my blood was towards the stomach, not out on my legs, or arms, or where ever but on the Gap Trail climb, I felt a lot better and went faster. I felt pretty good mostly after that. Then at the end was a short downhill towards the finish line. I finished third, I felt really good about myself and was satisfied how I finished because I felt like I worked a lot harder than the other races. I even finished 4 minutes behind the first guy and that's the best I ever did.
The people there, eh, not as many as other races, but in the Pro class, there were a lot. Because there were riders from Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Virginia. They were all on the same team though(Cannondale Factory Team). The Virginia guy is somebody I heard of, he goes to worlds and stuff, actually they all do. All the ones from other countries beat Alex Grant by one minute. Alex Grant is from around here and races with Lance Armstrong at the Leadville 100. I keep wondering what in the heck are these guys doing here at a local race like this one? Well, it is a good course and it's 'Park City' I guess.
This course is my favorite course, hands down. For sure I will do this again next year!
