Laura and I jumped in the car at 5am for the 3 hour drive to the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek. Well the drive ended up being only 2 hours so we arrived bright and early around 7:15 with the sun just having risen. The sun rise was beautiful and the only I have seen in quite a while. On the way in I started to get nervous about my gear selection and bike choice. The area looked really steep but as with single speeding, run what ya brung…

We got an awesome spot in the vendor area of the pit and after a little deliberation and moving once we settled on a spot, got our tent up and headed to registration. I got to meet Paul and Jason who as part of the BMCC put on the event. I had time to mingle with some friends new and old and hand out some spoke cards too.

I was a little nervous about the “kit” I had chosen for this event… would it be too loud? would the pocket I sewed on last night hold? would folks be offended by my seriousness? I mean the rigid bike with a bell, horn, streamers, 8 spoke cards and a matching helmet might be enough. Have I gone too far? I decided that I didn’t care and since I had left no choice as far as the bike or “kit” were concerned I relaxed, put it on and was ready to race.

This race was a special one for me. It was my first 6 hour race and my best friend was there to race too. This was going to be Laura’s first race!!! Yahoo!

Well as is the norm for me, I don’t really remember most of the specifics of the race. I know that I started near the front. I know that Mark told me I better get on it as we were climbing the road. I remember my legs were really tight on the pavement. The most memorable part of the first lap, aside from 20lbs too much pressure in the front tire, was hitting the section of single track berminess that was like a moving snake and just being overwhelmed by how cool it was to see the 10 riders or so in front of me swooping in those berms. If I have one photo in my mind of the race, that is it. I wish I really could have stopped and taken it in. It was amazing! I was so excited on the first lap that I did a lot of laughing and giggling. I had never ridden trails like this before. All photos courtesy of Ryan Sigsbey Photography

In lap 2 I started getting my first ever saddle sores. I changed my shorts and used chamois butter between laps 2&3. It was too late. I spent the rest of the race (3laps) trying to stay off the saddle as much as possible. Thats really hard and didn’t really work.

I chatted with a lot of people during the race. I actually got to race a little with Joel Watson and Mike Pierce after having never ridden with them but racing the same events. That made me smile.

I cheered for and encouraged all of the ladies I passed or who passed me. I’m just glad I’m not the only woman out there.

I tried to race the 4th lap as slow as I could because I knew I was in first and didn’t really want to go out for that 5th lap. I had told myself that I would do as many laps as I had time for… I finished my 4th lap with 20 minutes left and being hardheaded like I am it meant doing a 5th lap. It was all good. I saw more folks… I saw the 4th single speed lady… I got to cheer her along. I rode everything on the course at my pace… when I finished, I was totally spent and ready to chill.

The after race event was pretty cool with lots of door prizes from a variety of sponsors. The beer was gone when we got there though… pbbbblllllaaaaa! Oh well luckily the podium spots all got a 6er. After hanging out for a bit and enjoying some BBQ we headed home. I into a week of just not feeling quite right as I had totally spent myself.

Of course this post is about a month late, but whatever at least it’s done before PMBAR. I’ll try not to take another month getting that post ready. I’m stoked! Laura and I have some cool outfits planned and I hear there are lots of ladies teams this year.

Until next time… I’m going to have more fun on the trail than you! HA!

Love ya’ll,

Shanna

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