time to race...

Sunday will be my first race of 2009. The last race I did was the Xterra Crystal Cove trail race (15k) on on 12/14/08. That's where I really jacked up my foot. This is by far the longest break of racing I have taken, forced or not, since I started racing in 2006. To say I'm anxious and excited would be an understatement.

I will racing the first race in the US MTB Cup Series at Bonelli park. I am sure the race is going to work me. I have not done anything "hard" on the bike yet in training. I have been riding a lot, climbing in big gears, but XC mountain bike racing is very intense. So it should there should be a good dose of pain waiting for me on Sunday... it's going to be fun for sure though. Time to take my medicine.

I am also stoked that there will be a good crew out there too. Ryan, Luke, Team Mann (Allison & Justin), Eric, and Robert (not racing... he's injured right now... heal up dude!). So there will be good times for sure.

This year USA Cycyling changed up the classification system. It used to be:
Pro
Semi-Pro
Expert
Sport
Beginner

I raced/worked my way up and raced Expert last year. This year have switched to a format that follows road cycling categories more closely. The new classes:
Pro
Category 1 (old Semi-pro & Expert)
Category 2 (old sport)
Category 3 (Beginner)

Essentially they collapesed the divisions and gave the "semi-pro" riders the option to get a pro card or stay back in Cat 1 and race against other "semi-pros" that don't want to move up and the rest of the "Experts." Needless to say this going to races way more competitive and I think it's a great move more the sport... I mean it definitely means that I will be taking more a beat down but that's what I want. Mountain bike racing is just fun to me and I like to see how hard I can really go. I have a lot of respect for guys that just race bikes. It's hard!

Training this week has not been ideal but with the work trip back east I did my best and got in some solid work. I am kind of training through this race because Counting Coup is next week so I will still be riding long on Saturday before the race. Hopefully getting in one more long ride with keep me from getting too shelled next Saturday... even though I am sure it will anyway!

On another note... I have made some decision regarding my 2009 racing season and it has me very motivated! I will get to that next week. It's another post all by itself.