Het Meer: Gets me every time

into the sand
(photo courtesy of Matt Haughey)

This race is always kind of a grab bag for me.  Two years ago I crashed in the first quarter of a lap and last year I managed to ride a steady, uneventful race.  This year was kind of a cross between the two.

I lined up right next to Trebon on the start line because that seemed to work well last week but unlike last week we had 200m+ of gravel before the course narrowed down.  Looks like no sneaking off the front by sitting on Trebon's wheel this week.


We had another fairly slow start with no one really wanting to pass Trebon until 15 year old Cameron Beard decided he wanted to make a go of it and then we all got swarmed.  I never really found my rhythm and struggled through the first couple technical sections, letting little gaps open each time but promptly closing them down.  Something just felt off, not necessarily equipment, more mind and body.  Oh well, I was here let's do what I can.  Then I ran into a course stake.  Still not totally sure how I managed to hit it but I took a corner a little wide and suddenly I have a stake between my foot and my crank.  Dead stop.  Halfway through the first lap on a little rise.  Chain off.  Half the field goes by.  Balls.

the one section I felt fast one
(photo courtesy of Matt Haughey)

In the past I probably would have beat myself up about it but it's really just bike racing.  I had an awesome last couple of races and I didn't focus on power/road speed so this doesn't come as a huge surprise.  Yeah, we'd all like to have an awesome race every time we toe the start line but the bad comes with the good so I'll take it.  I got the workout I needed and it's a little more fitness in the bank for China.

Speaking of which, I depart in 8 days.  Still doesn't seem real.

Thanks for reading and next up is a double race weekend in Hood River.