Hmmm, I never really know how to start these things, you know blog posts. I guess I’ll start at the beginning and try to make it short.

I rented a car on Friday and Marshall and I were out of town by 5:00pm.

We arrived in Dalton around 9 and I dropped Marshall off at the hotel to prepare himself for the race or whatever he does and went to the finish line to do some pre-race partying with some of the event volunteers and participants. Event announcer Bruce Dickman helped me put up my banners and I settled into the evening. I love that this race has no large sponsor and that some local people who just love to ride put it on. I also love that I got to hang with them and learn some more about the event. Did you know that the event raised, I’m not sure the exact number, but it was between $1000 and $2000 for the local boys and girls club? The folks are also building a pump track and have over 40 bikes for the kids to use. Now that is an event that I want to be a part of. This event is put on for the people of the community, not just the racers. After 2 beers and a shot of the best lightning I’ve ever tasted, I decided it was time to go have a snack in the hotel and crawl in bed. Afterall, I was there to race and since I registered $ class I should try to be “serious”.

Snake Community. Photo by Conrad Fernandez.

The alarm went off at 6am and I dragged myself into the shower to wake up. It worked as it always does and aside from a little breakfast expectation stress, I was alive and happy. Off to the races…

I went to check in, distributed some spoke cards, chatted with folks and headed to the top with Marshall. There were only 4 other vehicles up there. It was nice to get to the top with the sun shining and no wind with 30 degree temps. No way it wasn’t going to be a nice day nice.

Racing this weekend was quite a different experience from the rest by going to the top early. I would say that in the first half of the race I was passed by only 5 people and I passed no one. That’s the difference starting early makes. Carey Lowery who won on her single speed being one of them. Somewhere I crashed in the middle of a creek with a lady in front of me and a lady behind me. Good thing I was wearing a skirt, cause it saved me from being completely submerged by catching on my saddle. Whew, that was close! Our good Asheville friend Jon Stang caught me on the final ridge and I was able to ride with him for a bit, but only because he kept cramping. The ridgeline was fun and beautiful as always! I tried to offer encouragement and cheer for folks as they either rode past me or I rode past them, cause why not? We’re all on our own bikes, but for a few seconds we’re in it together. One fella even apologized for his brakes being loud. I told him “It doesn’t bother me, I only get to hear it for a little while.” That’s the truth. I saw my friends Jason, Barry and Brianna a little into the last 17 miles I think they were sweeping. That’s always nice to have folks cheering for me. I also saw an older gentleman and maybe his grandson a few times and I thanked them for being out there. I love seeing folks cheering out on the trail as it feels less lonely and a little encouragement never hurts.

When I finished at 4 hours 9 minutes and 47 seconds, Bruce Dickman just couldn’t wait to tell me what Lisa Randall said about me when she came in. So excited in fact, he had her tell me herself. “You were so chipper out there I just had to get away from you.” That makes me smile. So did this.

Photo by Conrad Fernandez

Overall I know I beat all of my times from last year because I beat Beth’s best time from last year by about 6 minutes. I placed 4th in the women’s money class too! Snake Creek Gap TT #3 2010 was definitely a win for women on single speeds as Carey Lowery placed 1st in the women’s money class on her single speed beating her time from last year by almost 3 minutes. Becky Kicklighter stomped the 17 mile single speed class beating all the boys out for first place! Way to go ladies. I know that this year I wasn’t the only single speed lady out there and that there were at least 2 other ladies on ss other than Carey, Becky and myself. I love this. Way to go girls! Ya’ll rock.

Well, spring is springing and I look forward to smiling with you on a bike soon!

Shanna

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