from Roxzanne

Hey gang - thanks so much for the props! I have to say though this course fit me to a T and with all pistons firing, I knew I had it in me (thanks JMK). My back had been giving me loads of problems since 24-9, so I wasn't totally sure how it would play out. (Thanks, Thompson Chiropractic). Anyway, I'll try to keep it brief but I do hafta say, I've been to a few places but this single track was like moist chocolate cake for miles and miles. Um, 50 to be exact. So the start was crazy. Mass start, no staging and our numbers didn't even matter. The age groups were 39 and under & 40+ and single speed; all of those were broken out between men and women. The event seemed to cater to a more seasoned racer type; (Shim, are you listening)? Race started freakin early (thank goodness for the bacon ride training), it was niply and I didn't have a clue what chick was in my group or where they were. I just took off with everyone and hoped for the best. The ride up to the single track was long and chilly and my legs didn't join the race for about 1/2 hour into the single track. I caught a couple ladies on the road but had no idea if there were more up further. One woman in particular had a great steady cadence up the road so I stayed with her for a bit but let her go about 100 yards before the trees. I caught her with a group of guys soon after (one of which had on a polka-dot dress. After the race he was wearing a Monkey-Wrench wool sweater, so he musta been hittin the thrift stores) Anyway I stayed with them for a good hour until the trail went up. That's when I put it in giddy-up mode hoping to put some distance between me and the chica. The rest of the race was one stellar trail after another. The trail crew up there, the Ridge Riders, really have their poop in a group. Speaking of, there was plenty. And fresh! Cows just have no manners. The course had it all from steep as shit switchbacks, whoo-hooing low-grade downhill service roads that you HAD to big ring or you'd miss the fun, to stream crossings and fence crossings (wood ramps for the up and over assistance). But the best part…after hours upon hours of riding, the biggest reward was the 20-30 minute freaking dream rollercoaster of a ride back to the gravel road all on dark chocolate cake single track. I was having so much fun I didn't care what place I was in. OK, that was a lie. It only made me ride harder and faster, like I was starring in my own bike video. Too cool, folks! But don't be taken in by my biased opinion. Ryan was right when he said it was poorly marked. Jay warned us so I made sure I was never quite alone. I almost missed a couple turns myself but Lady Luck was with me. (I found out later the 2^nd place chica was the one I chased down and she said she got lost twice). Anyway, got back into town after a 3 mile big ring fest to a small crowd and one of the directors said I was the first woman in. Well, HOT DAMN! REALLY? I was stoked. I shot back to camp and boy was RF surprised to see me so soon. We hurried back to cheer on Josh and to imbibe and ingest all the bounty. The tunes were perfect and there was tons of swag. (SPY is popular in the north).All the 1^st place winners received a stein by a local artist with a clay stamp of the event logo on it. Very cool. Congrats to the other Nebraska Wrecking Crew peeps. Keep killin it! So much fun all. Sorry so long but I hope it will inspire you to venture out and beyond, even if it's just for a ride. Thanks again for the support. See ya on the trails.