A VERY DIRTY DIRTY DUO!

After months of warm, dry weather, the weekend of the Dirty Duo got nasty! The result: SNOW, SLUSH AND LOTS AND LOTS OF MUD!

I woke up that morning listening to the pounding rain and at 4 degrees figured not many people were going to show up. However, my goal was to get some experience racing, ride hard and finish strong. So I had to suck it up and get out there!

I figured the Dirty Duo, occuring so early in the season was a great time to learn about racing, and learn I did.

LESSON #1: KNOW YOUR COURSE
I thought I knew the course but as I travelled along Circuit 8 and no longer saw any yellow flags, I realized I had made a wrong turn. Unfortunately Circuit 8 is about the muddiest trail on the North Shore and can be somewhat frustrating. So even though I had a great start, I wasted a huge amount of energy and time. "@#%&!" I was furious with myself and attacked the downhill but knew that it would be impossible to make up that lost time. I had to let that mistake go, refocus and just move forward.

LESSON #2: SPIN
I generally like to use my middle chaing to climb, but in a previous race cramped horribly. For the Dirty Duo I decided to try a higher cadence and switched into Granny for Old Buck and BP. The result: my legs did not cramp and I was ready to go on Ned's! Lesson learned.

LESSON #3: ITS OKAY TO GET OFF YOUR BIKE
Just after the Severed trail head along BP we started to hit snow and slush. I was feeling good but my tires were sliding all over the place. I was thinking, "Do I waste my energy trying to stay up or just get off?" I decided on the latter and noticed everyone else did too! By the time we hit Ned's there was a good layer of snow. I have never walked those first two wide bridges but decided to cross them beside my bike. My pride may have been a bit hurt, but my body made it across without injury.

LESSON #4: SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW RIDERS

It was me getting the support this time. This guy in the picture, whom I have never seen before, cheered me on through that last incredibly challenging, muddy climb up Richard Juryn. He even waited for me so we could race down Lilloet road and finish together. It made me feel AMAZING. I have to remember to provide this kind of support to a fellow racer in the future.

(Note: The two Finish photos are thanks to photographer Don Scott http://www.donsphotos.ca/)

LESSON #5: ENJOY YOURSELF OUT THERE!

Why do we race? If you can't enjoy it, why do it? Eventhough I messed up in Circuit 8, my feet and hands were totally frozen, and I had been eating mud for over 2 hours, I finished feeling incredible! I felt I had accomplished something. I can't wait to race again.