Lakeshore MTB Team Relay

Our team decided to put together a few groups of 4 to compete in the Lakeshore Park relay. This is known as a laid back, fun race. People dress up, drink beer and just have a good time while riding bikes. So, our teams were created. I was put on a team with 3 guys and our name was "The Snuggle Bunnies" Like I said, this was known as a fun race :) Entering the race, there was a decision to be made...race sport or advanced. Sport did one lap each, advanced did two laps back to back (10 miles per lap) each. Since we've all been racing this year (either in sport or beginner) and it was supposed to be a fun race, we entered advanced. Little did we know that our competition seemed to be the only ones taking it seriously and were expert/elite level racers!!!

Starting out, my first team mate took off. The first team finished up their first lap and about 6 minutes late my teammate passes with a huge grin. I warmed up and took my place at the exchange area. My teammate handed the lay over (like I said, this is a fun race) and off I went.

I made it through the expert loop with no problem and was moving along at a good clip. This is a tight trail, no climbing, just a bit twisty. I was cruising, crossed a bridge, looked at my computer and saw I was going about 13 mph. I kept my focus, notice a tree on the side and well, I'm sure all the mountain bikers know what happened next. When you look at a tree....you hit a tree. My bar clipped a tree and slammed my to the ground. I hurt!!! I shook it off, checked the bike, let some guy passed, made sure my wrist was OK (that hurt the most) and continued on...I had a team relying on me! I finished my first lap and continued on to the second. As I made the turn to start my second lap, some chump decided that would be a great time to lift the tape blocking the race course and walk his bike across. I slammed on my brakes and thankfully missed him (I'm thinking he had a bit too much to drink). Continuing on, I cleared the technical rooty climb I messed up on my first lap and came to the end with relief. I handed off to my teammate and returned to our tent to clean up my elbow. It was throbbing my this point, covered in dried, dirty blood.

My teammate took a really long time on his first lap. I wondered what was going on. He finally came around, cuts all over his face, got off his bike and yelled for a new one. We grabbed someone's bike and he was off.

By the time the 4th person on our team went, the other teams were finishing up their last lap. Our team came in dfl, 1st place beat up by 55 minutes. There hasn't been any rain in a couple weeks so the course was slick with sand. I think the majority of people had crashes during this race, my one teammate face planting on a log pile. Next time, I might consider entering the sport category or surround myself with the best male racers I know :) Apparently the advanced category isn't quite as laid back as we expected :P

Here's a pic of me finishing up my first lap

http://luv2mtb.smugmug.com/gallery/3...73403782/Large