Battle @ Burke

Pseudo local race in Culpeper today. It boiled down to another battle between me and the old man, for a short while at least. I led out strong and put some time between us on the beginner loop. Through the scorching hot fields I picked up some more time, then into the expert section things got nuts. First, I burped all the air out of my front tire. I grabbed a CO2 catridge out of the saddle bag and did my best to get the tire to reseat. I wasn't having much luck, but eventually it bit. In hindsight, I should have threaded another cartridge in to get the pressure up a bit more, but instead I rolled out with pretty low pressure, unsure if the tire was seated all that well. The old man caught up after this episode (probably two+ minutes or so) and followed me for a bit. Soon after, I picked up something in my drivetrain that took me to a standstill. WTF? I look down, and a tube has lodged itself around my rear cog. I unwind the damn thing, cursing the slacker that left a tube on the trail that magically found its way into my cog. Back in action, I chase the old man and we both dismount to hike a climb. As I dismount...psssssss. Seal blows in the front tire. So I decide to put in a tube. Reach for the saddle bag...low and behold, it is wide open and empty. After I inflated the first time, I never closed it. Damn. So yeah...that was my tube that was lodged in my drivetrain awhile back. Go ahead...laugh it up. I yell to the old man for a tube, but he is gone. An oncomer heard my distress call and passed me a tube as he rode by. THANK YOU! I spent a few minutes fighting the 26" tube and the slimy 29er tire and eventually get it set, only to realize that the second CO2 cartdige is back there on the trail somewhere. DAMN! So I hook up the pump, but before I give it any air, a female rides up and asks if I need CO2. She whips out a threaded CO2 cartridge and saves my ass. THANK YOU! With that, I was off.

After the expert loop, it was back through the hot, hot fields to the beginner loop. ~1/2 way through I caught another singlespeeder that I must have missed as he went past (while I was working the flats). I knew the old man was long gone, so I settled in for the second place finish. Tough day for everybody, it seemed. It was pretty hot, especially in the fields. The HR hit 194bpm at one point, and was in the 180s a lot, if not most of the race. I did get to hit my first teeter totter out there today. Rolled it smooth...that was pretty cool.

Thoughts for today...I need to get some suspension. If I was suspended, I would have had 30 to 32lbs in that tire and I would not have flatted. I should have had 30 in there anyway. Also...check your saddle bag zipper after a pit stop...duh. On the positive, I was able to get back out there after the race and retrieve my CrankBros multitool and the shredded tube. The 2nd air cartridge, tire lever and two zip ties were donated to the trail.

That course is awesome. I want revenege.