The best way to get into biking shape? RACE BIKES and that’s what I did.

I had signed up for this race last year, got sick, deferred my entry, but still made a great long weekend out of the AirBnB we had with Dad, Rebecca, and Karen. This year I did not get sick, but have also been focused on running and only been aboard my mountain bike twice, with both times not being actual mountain bike rides. So… Things were working against me, but I had a free entry ($25?) so I had to go.

Then it got hot and the course turned out to be a lot more technical than expected.

It was a hard day.

I ended up 5th place in my category, which came as a surprise. Apparently I shouldn’t have left before awards because I’m sure I walked away from a free loaf of bread or something.

What leaving early did allow for was a shower before a big day filled with checking out wedding venues in Bend. That was very fruitful and I’m glad I didn’t smell.

Giving road bike racing tonight at PIR, riding to the coast from home this weekend, trail race next week, mountain bike race in Sisters next weekend, rafting weekend the week after that, short track, trail race, and long camping weekend after that, and then a little respite in mid June. Buckled up.