The First Race on my 29er.... Or Not.

[Aggie_Ama]

Last Sunday I finally decided to race my Epic 29er in her first race. I had the bike a month, needed one more race to qualify for the series and it was a course I was comfortable on. The morning started great, muggy but my legs felt good. I had stomach flu last week but that meant I was super hydrated. The heat was a major concern but I figured just pace myself and hope for the best.

The start is usually a strong point for me. The whistle went off and I struggled to clip in, not a great start. My goal was to stay with the group as long as possible. Even with the bad start I did that. Made it up the wide double track and through a little gate. After the gate is a wide, fast downhill. It can be a little sketchy but what happened next is beyond that. I am still with the pack and suddenly my face hits the ground. I went over the bars fast and hard. My front tooth hit and immediately a panic. I feel and think I have my teeth but there is blood. I am in no man's land (away from a course marshall) so I get back on the bike.

After I drop into the first single track I see my teammate (and wilderness first aid trained) Carla. She wasn't racing just spectating, I pull off and she assures me I am not in need of stitches, lends me her bottle to rinse and checks it again. She talks me through straighting my wonky bars (you have to fix it yourself) and I go on. I ride for about .25 miles into more single track but I can't get myself together. I am a mess and tell the sweep I am done. Cut the course, go see the medics and ice the lip the rest of the day. Good thing I didn't keep going since my rim actually had been badly dented, wheel was a completely out of true and the headset was seriously loose.

Here is a photo Carla took before I stopped and my lip the next day. It is now normal looking, just waiting for the cut to heal.

[OakLeaf]

Yikes! Hope you feel better soon and you can get your bike fixed pronto.

Do you know what caused you to crash?

[Aggie_Ama]

Bike is already fixed, my shop is so awesome they did it immediately on Sunday afternoon doesn't hurt I am on their race team.

Not sure what caused the crash, maybe a root or rock. That downhill was a little looser than normal, I might have grabbed a brake out of nerves. I don't really know, it was certainly the fastest endo I have ever had and definitely one of the worst injuries.

[redrhodie]

Ouch! Glad you walked away after that (as apposed to being carried out on a stretcher)! I bet iced tea would feel good on that lip.

[bellissima]

The really stinks! Hope you heal soon.

[SheFly]

OUCH! I'm sure that with the race speed, and the adrenaline from trying to stay with the lead group, that a tree root or rock jumped out and snagged your wheel out from under you before you even knew it. Good for you for getting back on at all!

Heal soon! The races will still be there when you are ready.

SheFly

[limewave]

Ouchie! Glad you are alright and have all your teeth!