Getting a late start on Thursday, we came upon 2 traffic snags that delayed our travels. Historically, I've been like George Costanza in the Seinfeld episode (I think Bubble Boy) when George loses Jerry because he wants to make good time. Perhaps my nonchalant attitude about traffic jams came about because of technology's distractions, specifically my iPhone.
I hate Pigeon Forge. Yet, there I was stuck--for 45 minutes--looking at all of the offerings this tourist trap has to offer. Hubby and I started discussing the origins of the name of this city. With my Wiki app, I learned the population of this town with the lone stretch of road is 5,083.
SERIOUSLY?!?!? Seeing more cars than that at 2 stoplights, I wondered if the unemployment rate was near 0%. Apparently other people DO like Pigeon Forge and want to see everything it as to offer.
Anyway, tourist town behind us, we continued through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's beauty stuns me every time I drive along that path. I could live here. Eastern KY, TN or Western N.C. It's breathtaking.
So, we arrived at the campsite a little late after stopping by the grocery; quickly set up the tent and made some dinner.
Now I want to share with you how much I love car camping and why. Above was our abode for the next 4 nights--The North Face Trailhead 8 (an REI dividend reward for dutifully using our credit card.) Yes, it's supposed to sleep 8 people, and we enjoyed it all to ourselves. I can fully stand up in this tent!!! We took an air mattress and slept on it! It sure beats carrying your tent in your backpack--along with the thermarest to sleep on.
And can I mentioned the food now? We ate real food since we had a cooler and a gas stove. By real food I mean, bacon (not just on the first day), pancakes, fajitas, pasta, etc. No freeze dried crap. (As if I eat that stuff anyway when backpacking.)
That night, as the temperatures dropped into the high 20s or low 30s, I went through my usualy ritual of getting up in the middle of the night to pee. Brrrr! The covers weren't quite keeping me warm. At O'dark-thirty, I broke out the sleeping back and snuggled in. Ahhhhh--warmth!
We spent the next two days riding, riding, and riding. The trails are phenomenal. Early Friday, I learned I had worn out some of my bike parts when I got chain suck 3 times. YES! I am riding enough (or not changing the chain often enough) to have worn out the front chain rings. I really, really, really, wanted my granny gear for this course and was lucky that some Columbus folks could bring me some new rings before Sunday's race. THANKS to Jacob, Amanda (riding for Shamrock Cycles), & Emily for bringing these to me.
The boys changed these out for me, and I was good to go.
Sunday's race was HARD. I knew it would be. In 2008 I did the Knobscorcher and cried at the finish. No kidding. I hurt so bad and was so thankful that it had ended, I cried. There has been only 1 other time this happened; it was last year's 6-hour race in Kentucky when I had to pee so bad.
The 30.5 mile race had over 2500 feet of climbing, which also means it had some phenomenal downhills. I felt good about my descents and cornering. I was loose and focused--a difficult feat for 3-hours. But best of all, this was probably the first race where I didn't have the demon voice in my head saying, "Gosh it hurts so bad I should just quit." I stayed racing the entire time; and did so happily. My reward was catching 2 girls at the end. Sadly, I had enough gas to pass only one while the second finished ahead of me. Still, I had to give it my all in the last mile to ensure I wouldn't get passed back. EXCITING stuff!
I know I lost much time stopping to let the Sport men go by and, um, walking up the really steep, rocky hills by the Overlook. But I was having fun. The weather was perfect and despite already sore legs, I felt good. Race day was the final day of a hard, 3-week training block; I didn't have grand expectations with or without being sore. But I did want to feel good. Despite placing 18th out of 23, I was happy with my effort. In looking back, I shaved off 15 minutes from my 2008 time. This made me ecstatic! While the course and conditions were a little different, I'm going to credit some of that gain by consistent training.
Other lessons learned. DRINK, DAMMIT! For the two days prior I didn't consume much water and ran out on the course with about 45 minutes left to race. 70 oz in my camelback and 25 oz of Heed in the bottle. Gone. My upcoming XC races won't be as long as this one, so I shouldn't have that problem again. But I can help prevent dehydration by drinking a lot prior to the race.
Some people are just total buttholes. A couple of Sport guys impolitely asked (told) to get around me on a flying descent. I wasn't about to stop (as there was no place to pass) to let them go by at that particular moment. They would have to wait for a better place. So, I was heckled, again, impolitely for a few more seemingly long seconds. So much for being good sports. I'm glad I didn't let it bother me too much; it was much too beautiful where I was to let words get to me.
Still need to work on muddy sections. I hesitated too much in puddles and creeks. Plow through it! There weren't many muddy sections, but I did slow down too much losing precious seconds (or minutes?), especially when I needed more juice to get back up to speed. What happened to all my skills drills from earlier in the year? My reality check tells me I need to start incorporating them again--frequently!
In a nutshell, that was my North Carolina trip. There's so much more to say; you'll have to trust me that it's a beautiful place. It's certainly worth another road trip. Any takers?
More pics.....
The Thomson trail littered with Rhododendrons.
The happy couple...
The overlook...
Group shot
Lake Fontana
Bike shot on the Thomson trail
Leftover fajita that went into the omelet the next morning.
3 Bicycle Station team members for the Knobscorcher
Noah & Sierra
2 comments:
I finally get to see your hair cut! its great! And I'm so jealous of the camping and all the trail riding you got to do. ANd you did awesome at the race, and on a bike that you built! You rock Angela!
Does Mr. Wonderful have a red-headed brother?
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