Too Cool for School

[Michael Koppe]

  Thanks for the great posts from team members. I recently decided to start biking/racing after spending the last year trying to be a rock/ice climber. Both require significant dedication to do well. I haven't told my climbing/skiing partners yet so they think I am cross training with the mountain biking. However I do intend to ride with greater purpose as Jim described it and be competitive in my age group. Actually it is fairly easy to be competitive in my age group as long as you have a bike and a pulse. However there are a number riders my age(59) that truly distinguish themselves and compete at a high level and I want to be one of them. I would like to do well at Downieville in the over 55 class which is 4 months from now. This allows me sufficient time to train. 

  Cool was a reality check that I need to train and I am not too cool for school. The mass start was intimidating for me because there were so many riders and I did not want to risk injury. I know people will say free soloing easy ice and rock climbs is risker but we all define our comfort zones differently. My first lap was 50 minutes and my second lap 49 minutes which was good for 7th place in the sport over 50 class. There were approximately 25 riders in my age group and Jim did not lap me so it will be classified as a good start to my return to racing and a modest success. Mike

 

[Ryan Gibson]

Good to hear you are back in the mtb camp, and nice job at Cool! Absolutely agree re: your age group...many will be average, but some will be aliens....be an alien! See you at Napa Dirt Classic if not before. Ryan

[Amanda Borden]

Mike, thanks again for being so prepared & sharing your awesome bike race van!