My Mountain Bike Races

Not that I am good at it or anything, hahaha~~~

Hensly Lake Trail Loop Race

 

This is our first ever mountain bike cross country race. I don't quite remember the exact name of the race. But it was on the trail near Hensly Lake, Merced. The trail was a 6.? miles (again, I don't quite remember the exact number) loop. Got some nice short climbs, some are steep though. And a nice downhill section going back to the finish line.

Me, Alex, Mike, Jhin and Eric

 

Joshua X0, Z1, Specialized GC Aim 2, Joshua X0 and X1

5 Of us entered the race. 5 bikes went with us. Only 4 bikes came back in one piece. Alex's bike's drivetrain just decided to give up in the middle of race and fell into pieces. He was on single speed when he came back. All 5 of us made our way home to the finish line. Some of us did well, some not. But we knew we were not going to win anything. We were there just to have some fun. And oh boy, did we have fun or what.

Sea Otter Classic 2000

 

So, this is it. My second mountain bike cross country race, at Sea Otter Classic. It's a 17 miles loop with 2400 feet of climbing. Luckily, only Experts, Semi-Pros and Pros would battle it out for 2 loops (= 34 miles~!!). The course was sprinkled with fire roads and single track, steep short climbs and the long climb home, roks, sand and loamy soil, tight sections in the trees contrasted by open hills and fields of lush grass. It was definitely one of the most fun and challenging cross country course for me.

At the start line

 

Coming back to the finish line		I was in the sports class, so I only need to race for 1 loop, 18 miles (trail+extra pavement at the start). After about 5 minutes into the race, I knew I was in the wrong class. I was suppose to be in the beginner class. haha~ And at the time, I changed my goal from being in the middle pack of the crown to just finishing up the race in one piece. Well, besides the fact that I really sucked, there are some other reasons contribute to that. I guess it was also because I am hanging out with a bunch of friends for a couple of days before entering the race, going to places,
having soccer game (during which I hurt my ankle, and I got to suck it up during my MTB race), didn't sleep well, didn't eat right ... So, I basically did everything that you are NOT suppose to do before racing. Everything adds up, I sucked + bad body condition + injured ankle ... I considered myself pretty good that I can finish the 18 miles race. Well, having fun, that's all it matters. :-)

Here are some more pictures from Sea Otter Classic 2000.

Sea Otter Classic 2001

Click on the picture to see a bigger one

This is my second time going to Sea Otter Classic. Even though I did not race this year, it was still a lot of fun. I did the 14 miles MTB fun ride instead. It was a beautiful day. A lot of people did the fun ride, including MTB legend Ned Overend, John Tomac and another Tomac Team Pro Rider. I actually got a chance to talk to Ned Overend and John Tomac on the trail a little. They are both nice guy. Ned even fixed my chain suck for me ... hehe~ The fun ride was really quite easy and *fun* (that's why they call it a fun ride?! haha) I was expecting a harding time in		Me @ the MTB fun ride
the fun ride cause I haven't put much milage on my bike after I moved to LA. But compare to last year's cross country course, the are a lot of simularities. But it's a lot more *fun* to ride the fun ride this year than the race last year because: 1. I had better rest this year; 2. I didn't have an twisted ankle; 3. The weather was nice and dry; 4. It wasn't a competition ... duh?~!

I spent quite a lot of time seeing different kind of races this year. As a result of spending 8 hours a days under the sun for 3 days, I am a little toasted ... (my bad, I forgot to bring sun lotion) But seeing those races are still pretty fun and excitting. Besides the races and events, I also saw a lot of products introduction and new products information. Oh well, I guess I would have catch those in the magazine sooner or later, but you just can't beat actually being there. That was one heck of a weekend. 5 hours drive from LA to Monterey was a bit much, but in return, I saw great races, great bikes, great trail ride and great biking atmosphere. I think Sea Otter Classic have become one of my "Event of the Year". haha~

Dual Slalom

Downhill

Here are some more pictures from Sea Otter Classic 2001.

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