Ah, the off-season.

Time for beer and nachos.

The cross race was a good training exercise. I rode super hard for a few laps with the lead group and then popped. Cruised in for 14th of 40, I believe.

Shevegas was a ton of fun. That course has gotten even better since the last time I was there (perhaps 6 years ago) and has some very good, challenging singletrack.

The log drop is still in place, The Roots of All Evil, and The Equalizer as well.

This is a constructed course. It has a man-made feel, as though there were intent in each section's creation. And I know there was; The crazy man smoking cigarettes and handing out $5 bills at the top of The Equalizer told me so.

As the season gets on, I notice my start-line speed isn't quite what it was. I didn't have it at Alterra, and I didn't have it at Sheboygan. I was mid-pack going out, and started picking off people between singletrack sections. It was the usual formula: attack like hell in open bits and catch people in the singletrack. Catch and repeat.

Then some guy went down in front of me and the guy behind me plowed into my leg. I think his left pedal got me, or maybe his foot. I could spin and pump a bit, but not attack or get out of the saddle. My leg was done for the day, so I limped in for 8th.

Not a bad season, at all. I applied for my upgrade to Cat. 1 Monday morning and should be racing with the big kids next year. For as much training as I've done this year I don't feel burned out. The cold I got back in July/August that forced some time off was good for me and let me recover a bit and take some down time. I'm going to take as long as my leg needs to heal fully and then it's stationary trainer time.

Until then, It's back ot the training posts.