Saturday, January 2, 2010

Best and Worst of 2009

This is a few days late. I've been meaning to get it up for a few days now but haven't got around to it. I've never done a best/worst of list before but thought I would give it a try. Lots of stuff happened this season. So here it is:

Best Race: Cornhusker State Games Mountain Bike Race

This was an easy choice. Not only is it the first race that I have ever won but it was also the race where I felt the best while racing. I wish I could feel that good and on top of things in all the races that I do.

Worst Race: Psycowpath #7 Capital City Challenge

This was also an easy choice. This race was a race that I should have done well in but a race that I completely fell apart and I've never felt so completely horrible while racing as I did in this race. It is a race that I always come back to remind me that I can still have bad days and it helps keep things in perspective.

Most Fun at a Race: Norfolk Classic Criterium/State Criterium Championships

This race was probably one of the funnest races that I've done and it was solely due to the fact of having a blast with my two teammates Rick and Shawn D. The trip to the race was relaxing and funny with those two guys.

Most memorable Race: Norfolk Classic Criterium/State Criterium Championship

This is the same race as above but it falls into this category easily. At the beginning of the race it started to rain and then as the race progressed it turned into a complete downpour of rain and then turned into marble sized hail. We raced in the hail for about 5 minutes before the lightning started and they rang the bell lap 3 laps early. I always say that it was the most epic 25 minute race ever.

Worst learning experience: Omaha Cycling Weekend Road Race

In this race I learned a lot about road racing and how to position myself. In this race I wasn't paying attention and missed when the group split and I had to work my ass off to bridge back up to the front group and then I was in the back of the group when there was a crash right after I caught up and right before the final biggest climb of the day and I lost the front group again and had to bridge up on the first half of the climb and then popped on the second half. What I learned was to stay in the front and pay attention. I should have finished with the leaders instead of behind the lead group.

Best New Equipment: SRAM Road Components

When I built up my Felt FC Road Frame this year I built it with SRAM components and I completely love them. I road a test bike earlier this season that had Dura Ace 7900 on it and I like the SRAM Rival components that I used better. I'm pretty much a SRAM only guy now.

I'm sure there are things that I'm missing but looking back at 2009 overall was a really good year in racing. Looking forward to bigger and even better racing in 2010. Later.

Harp

1 comment:

Bluenoser said...

Yes Harp I enjoyed the ups and downs of your year of racing. And isn't that what it's all about?

Good luck in the one coming up!

Rootin for ya up north,

-B