Brownsville Fall Series Race #1

Pre race, just making sure the ride was all set up. Definitely wanted to run the air pressure low with the mud that sure to greet us on the course.

I love mass starts, especially when I'm on the front row. We were off to a quick start as usual. I think that's why I like the marathon and longer distances a little better, we take off a little more controlled, but not today. It was from resting HR to near max. down the front straight and into the trees.

The goal for this race was twofold for me, win of course, but also ride near my max throughout to prepare for the TMBRA race in a couple weeks. So once I got out front I kept it pegged at about 90% + of my max.

The course was changed up a bit since Hurricane Dolly and the rains afterwards made some of the areas take on the look of the bayou. The Unlimited Sports Adventures crew did a great job making this course a bit more technical. Previously, it was just downright fast and flowing, great for power riders and roadies, not so great for skinny little freaks like myself. There were sections of newly cut trail (very rough), muddy sections that accumulated on every inch of the anything that moved, wood ramps over logs and one small drop that was full of water at the bottom that got downright treacherous late in the race. So yes, this course was just what I needed, kind of a short suffer fest that tests your mind and body.

It was also good to see the large turnout for the race. There were some guys and gals that I hadn't seen in a while or at all. The Clydesdale div. was a huge success, I'm not sure on the numbers, but I would guess that it was the biggest group of the day. Kudos to all that showed up to give it a whirl, it only takes one time to get hooked. Hopefully each race will get better as far as the quantity of riders goes.

Post race a bit haggard. I did accomplish my goal though. Rode away from the group and finished 1st. We'll see how that works in Huntsville on the 21st.

Finally got my much better 1/2 to join me for a race ( I did have to stop at the Coach outlet on the way back though). She was sweating almost as much as the riders.......she hates to sweat! Check out the Anthem, sporting a couple pounds of South Texas soil.

Just a side note...... shout out to Chris W. who killed it today for 2nd place in the expert field. I'm glad the course was mucky and more of a technical one or else CW would have given me problems out there.