Big Bear Classic – April 21

Big Bear is pretty technical for a newer rider. I was kind of worried about this race, so I went and pre-rode some of the course on Thursday. There is a massive rock roller coaster, a giant crack that you ride through, and a series of boulders that is pretty much unrideable to anyone but the best of the best. I practiced the rollercoaster a few times (I never would have even attempted this if it weren’t for the Michaux camp) and was able to clear it without incident. Ok, let’s give this a shot!

Race day comes and I’m super pumped. This time I try to get out as early as possible so I don’t have to play catch up or pass tons of people. I’m riding along, and I notice that I’m in first position and there are no other sport women around me at all. Sweeeeet! My heart rate is maxed out, and I think that maybe I can chill out a little bit and not have a heart attack? I slow my pace and a few guys pass me. No big deal. I’m not racing them anyway. About 75% of the way through the race, I hear a girl’s voice behind me. CRAP! I was stuck behind three guys that wouldn’t let me pass and this chick is gaining on me fast. Just then, she does this crazy move where she goes completely off the course, jumps a log, and passes all three of the guys in front of me. O.M.G. Did that REALLY just happen? I pretty much knew there was no way I was going to catch her with so little time left and three guys in between us.  I instantly regretted the decision I made to cool my jets early on. I never caught her, and ended up taking 2^nd again. But… I got one of those Big Bear mugs, a free season pass, and my first podium pic. Sweet!

Lesson # 3- Don’t feel too comfortable with where you are, and always give it your ALL because you never know what can happen!

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