How many days in a row

I have been cooped up inside for 3 days at a partnership meeting related to a grant I am involved with to create a certificate program for interpreters and trnaslators in the justice system and health care system. And my 3 week semester break started. So as my mind wanders from the meeting to the beautiful trees outside the conference room window and the glimpse of the Sandias over the top of the building behind the trees - I am trying to think how many days I can ride over hte next 2 weeks. Pondering my race schedule over the enxt 2 weeks and travel plans, I'm thinking 12 of 14 days - if rides to the bar count maybe all 14 days. :)

First short course race of year

So last weekend I raced my first shortcourse of the year...the xc course in Socorro, NM. I was the only chica brave enough to race SS, so I took first naturally. But the best news is that I felt I had too hard a gear running 32/18 and indeed there were times I could barely keep it rollin - BUT I ran 12 minutes faster than last year. Meaning 12 minutes faster than on the geared bike. I would have done better, but the tall gear caused me to cramp up second lap out. Check the pic - top of the nasty hill 5 yards from finish - if it were not for the cow bells, and people cheering I would have rolled back down the hill.

D2D

Well Spring in New Mexico means wind and unpredictable weather. And we are having a Spring true to form. Weather has been fluctuating between typical windy but warm weather and cold and snowy. Just in time for Dawn til Dusk in Gallup, New Mexico this weekend it is being predicted it will be wet and cold. The composition of soil at the High Desert trail system is comprised mainly of clay - so when wet the trails will destroy your bikes. Most of you will recall the damage that the Siren suffered on her inaugral race - the High Desert Screamer - on these same trails when I got caught in rain. Add a high of 37 degrees (C) and we are talking about a raring good time!
Despite my impulse to stay in Albuquerque I'll be heading over to Gallup for hopefully 12 Hours of racing. I'm really hoping the moisture stays at bay and we get to ride. Promoters have stated this is the largest field ever for the event - 150 more registered racers than last year. Trails will be crowded and I imagine our local 12 hour race will be inundated with Pros taking the fun out of the event for most of us. But alas, I have raised a couple of hundred dollars for the local Open Sky SAR (in only 7 hours) who volunteer to be out on the course and take care of the racers if anything unfortunate happens, bet the Pros did not do that. In fact I challenge all the Pros to get pledges and donations for the bike-a-thon. Information and pledge forms available here Quit taking from local races and give back please.
Hope to see you all out at D2D and hope all you regular racers have a grand time.