Greensfelder race

Well I raced in my second mountain bike race last week and was just as nervous as the first one. To make matters worse Jay and I got there about 3 hours to early so I had plenty of time to think about the race. We warmed up by completing a lap about 9:30 or so and felt pretty good. I just purchased new pedals for my mountain bike and opted on using my road shoes instead of spending more money for mountain bike shoes. Well I know now that they are worth the money.We had prerode the course that sat before and I felt like I had a pretty good feel on how I would do. There was a nice climb about 2/3 of they through the course and I though that is were I was going to make up time. It ended up being my nemesis. There was four riders in my group, 3 of were of age and some 40 year old that snuck into are group. He of course had the lead for a lap in a half until I finally caught him and passed by with a little effort. All day long I had been having problems with my new pedals and finding the cleat on my shoe, on top of my bike being a little out of tune. So needles to say that I was a little frustrated with both problems, but in a little better mood when I took first. It lasted 2 laps and I put it on cruise control thinking that nobody could catch me until I slipped up trying to pass someone and 2nd place passed me. I gathered my composure and caught him quick on the hill 2/3 of the way through and passed him leading into the final lap. I put some distance on him and decided that I needed a drink before the big climb and that was my fatal blow. I took a quick swig and forgot about the little creek crossing and before I knew it I was jumping the creek with one hand on my bars and the other holding Jay's water bottle that I though I could not drop. Well I don't know if you have ever tried it before, but don't.... it doesn't work. I crashed hard bending my handlebars and twisting my seat around.... and dropping Jay's water bottle. It took about twenty seconds to collect my thoughts, gather my things and set my bike straight. Just enough time for 2nd place to pass me. I followed him up the hill and regained the lead with a quarter of a mile to go. We came to a small single track about 600 yards long and I ran into slower traffic.... reference picture below, which gave my opponent time to dissolve my lead. We hit the last pavement stretch with about 70 feet remaining and he pulled along side of me and crossed .01 seconds in front of me. I lost the race. It was an awesome finish and I had never pushed myself so hard. I crossed the finish line, saw Mary standing there getting ready for her race and I laid my bike over next to her and collapsed. I was completely gassed, bleeding... check picture below!!....., and disappointed I had given the race away. Thanks to my teammate, as she cleaned me up.... that would have been Mary.... and told me it was a great finish. I learned alot from that race.... mostly, drop the water bottle, no matter who's it is, and never give up in a race. You never know whats going to happen!!