2016 XC Nationals Mammoth, CA

[Cathy]

Monday morning, July 11, Jim, Simon and I hopped in a car loaded with bikes, gear and lots of excitement, and headed out on our six-hour long journey to Mammoth, CA.  We were on our way to competing in the coveted 2016 XC National Cross country event.  The first racer amongst us to compete was Simon.  He would race on Wednesday.  I raced on Thursday in the Cat 1/2, 45-49, and Jim raced on Friday in the Men's Pro class.  Our Acme teammate, Greg, would arrive on Wednesday for his Men's Cat 1/2 race on Thursday.  

Our goal was to pre-ride Simon's JR course Monday evening upon arrival.  Pulling into Mammoth was like a summer dream...great weather, bikes and a mountain full of trails to ride!  We promptly changed into riding gear and took a quick spin to check out the course Simon would race on Wednesday.  Immediately, the 8,000'+ elevation became apparent.  Coming from sea level, the lungs and heart and blood vessels and blood cells all went into crazy overdrive.  I mean, these important physical and physiological body functions forgot how to work together and keep a body going!  Well, at least that was how I felt.  Simon seemed unaffected as he chattered excitedly the whole lap.  It was a precursor for the win to come.  He obviously was in top form!  

That evening, we left Mammoth and headed on down to Bishop, where we would spend the next several nights.  The next day, we all three headed back up to Mammoth and pre-rode our courses.  Jim and I did a couple laps with Simon then Jim took off for a hot lap of his course.  I later rode a lap of my Cat 1/2 course and really enjoyed the single track portions of the course.  I knew the fire road climbs were out of my league, though, and realized this would be an event I just needed to do my best to finish!  

Fast forward to the next day, Wednesday.  Simon's race day!  What can I say? It still gives me chills.  This kid charged the whole two laps of his course and dominated his field.  He handily defeated the competition and put up the winning time to become the 2016 Junior 6-8 XC National Champion! Congratulations Simon Hewett!

That night we were all on a high as we drove back to Bishop. We had the National Champ in the house!  The stars and stripes were flying high.  It almost felt complete...except, ugh, I knew the next day was my turn.  So, off to bed to dream of flags and stars and streaming down mountain bike trails.  

Race day, for me.  9 am start, or thereabouts.  Warm up? In my mind, not necessary.  I could warm up on that first climb.  So, waiting at the starting line Thursday morning for the Women's Cat 1/2 45-49 class, I just wanted to get moving.  Jim had my Trek Stache 29er dialed and ready to go.  He even switched Simon's dropper onto my bike so I would stop whining about high posting the one down hill section of the course.  He also fine tuned my fork and made sure I had the perfect tire pressure.  (I know, I am a lucky girl!)  I knew this would be hard.  We had to do three five mile laps, which would normally seem like a walk in the park, but this was brutal at altitude.  

When we finally took off, my class was the last group to race.  I mentally challenged myself not to be discouraged that I was a the very back.  I mean, dead last up the first climb.  I stayed positive and really believed if I could just keep my ladies in sight, I would slowly catch up and maybe they would tire in the next couple of laps.  It was a solid plan.  And I did keep the third place woman in sight, and even thought I would catch her as we began the fun single tracks to the final descent section.  But then I overturned in a loose lefty and my front end washed out, throwing me over the bars and off the bike.  Shit! I kinda knew at this level of racing, my race was over.  But I got back on and put in a good showing for the fun downhill.  And, of course, I felt all recovered for about 2 seconds after the down and thought to myself, "I can catch them!"  

Ha! As soon as the climb started again my fantasies quickly dissipated.  Honestly, I never saw those women again and only passed a few of the stragglers hurting worse than me.  I still had two laps to go, and could only, well, go.  Keep moving forward and finish.  So that is what I did.  I just kept my head up and tried to have fun in those kind of places I enjoy riding...the single tracks and the downhill.  I made it up all of the climbs and was proud that I wasn't as slow climbing as a few months ago.  I had great support from Greg, Jim and Simon.  Thanks guys!  I'm honored that I was even able to compete at this level and seriously believe the training may have helped me for the next big one - Downieville!  

Jim, Simon and I later stayed to cheer on our Teammate Greg, who raced later that afternoon.  Greg did great, even though struggling with the altitude as well.  He finished 18 out of 35+ riders in his class.  

And...drum roll...the main reason we were here, the Show Stopper, Jim Hewett's Men's Pro race!  I think I was more nervous than Jim.  Not his first rodeo.  Friday morning we took our time heading back to the event from Bishop.  Jim was racing at 1:45, the hottest point in the day, but I guess the Men's Pro is the big draw, so they have to race later.  I hung with my honey while he lined up, then cheered as he headed out to race his Pro class.  Jim did so great and I know he is feeling strong!  I am so proud of the Hewett men!  And Greg for getting out there and getting it done!  

I think we all had such a great time and each of us achieved personal accomplishments.  This was not easy for us flat landers, but we showed up and did great.  Congratulations Team Acme Bikes! 

Until next time,

Cat