New Belgium Short Track

For 4 weeks each spring, New Belgium and Your Group Ride host what may well be the most enjoyable races I do each year: Short track races behind the Brewery. This year, the course is tight, twisty, and crazy fun. Entry fees are $5 a pop, so last night I figured I might as well sign up for 2 races and race the Advanced category as a warm up to the Pro/Open category. Double races equal double fun right?

 

 I started at the absolute back of the advanced mens field and mainly wanted to see how far up I could get.  Sarah started with the advanced men as well, so we put bets on who could hold off who.  After the first lap (~6 min laps)  I had passed maybe 30 people and made my way up to Sarah, I tried to think of something witty to say as I passed her but I had a brain fart and didn't say a thing. The ole noggin' isn't too quick when the HR is over 180.  With 1.5 laps to go I had made my way up to the top 5 and was gaining ground fast when I slammed my front wheel into a rocky ledge. I had a rigid fork on and as a result of still riding like I had a suspension fork I slammed it into everything with zero grace. I punctured the tire and popped a spoke out of the hub. I fiddled with it for a minute or two but ultimately, just gave up, walked back to the pit and took DNF numero uno for the night.

I had about 5 minutes between races so I waited for Sarah to finish, flagged her down, stole her front wheel, put in on my bike and rolled to the start of the Open race.  I actually felt better for the 2nd race and felt as if I was riding well. After things sorted out I made a few passes, closed a few gaps, and got into as much of a groove as is possible in a 30 min race. My gearing was spot on and I felt made me a bit faster than a few of the geared riders as they were searching for the right gear in a few spots. Half way through the last lap I once again hit something with a tad too much gusto and flatted Sarah's wheel. So, just like that I had DNF numero dos for the evening. I walked back to the start/finish and called it a day. Afterall, with an entry fee of $5 who can complain anyway. Two partial races equal a full race right?

 When racing bikes behind a brewery, post ride recovery drinks are key.