Well I figured it was time to put the new rigid single speed to good use, and I signed up for a
mountain bike race last weekend. It turns out, so did over six hundred other people. I opted for the sport class single speed open division, and so did 37 other riders, mostly from local shops teams.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Wi34-jNBLN-IQ-ZkT-xn8jFwGyjrFB6xU6vYHDgsWUhydZjNQ5axQsOh9bQq7MxtlNjUMFI0LRk5bX3oGGcwTY4jmv-_-rmJOjBB7EXaJvrkv5zO4eHTJRTxrEQWqltPLNrMUpBbRhu/s400/photo.jpg)
I, however, ran as an independent, fully aware I was going to come in towards the bottom of the pack. I did not, however, foresee the slam I would subsequently take, which nearly knocked me out of the race.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBAD3l4jxvO_vr1S3AhjOlsoX9XpSGFpNCyEwwmL5X2pbrXEffHmghRbj4StAK_1Sm78qgsKrzckTziuQDzMkXC0rZGWZqROyZB2581mZzEknby8XCl0o4GZD6vvI_CFTOZ5hajkwRCe9/s400/photo+2.jpg)
About 3 miles into the 15 mile, 2 lap (at 7.5 each) race, I washed out going hard into a loose dirt corner, with about five riders behind me. I went down in slow motion, although for all intents and purposes I was probably doing about 18 miles an hour. Hit the ground hard, and just waited to get run over. Thanks to the modern ingenuity of hydraulic brakes, I was spared, and was able to limp off of the trail to try and ascertain exactly what parts of my body were in pain. Luckily after about 5 minutes of attempting to catch my breath after it was forcibly ejected from my lungs, I decided I did not need to seek medical help, and thought about walking to my car. I then thought about riding to my car, if my hip would work. After a few more racers passed me, I decided to try and finish my first lap. I would be able to save some face that way. As I made my way around the course in a serious amount of pain, my hip started loosening up. By the time I came around to the finish, I was feeling almost okay. My hereditary pride kicked in at this point, and I decided I was going to finish the race, despite what my side was screaming at me. After what felt like another hour (it was close), I was done! It felt great, however my side did not. All in all I came in
35th out of 37 in the single speed division, not too shabby considering the circumstances. I can't believe I actually beat anyone, considering I was knocked out of the competition pretty early. Post race pictures below. Beware, one includes a shot of my hip. It's pretty risque. It is now black and blue. You were warned.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OXJn4KgzzjhvF8spJc2ZKpFCY6Zl3Dv_O61bewnI-UVpihRCh2B8YcTGevd9rJBaeq7anTFWdt22a7Am9GA5QYh8MGYfcEXcWFA-0Y6vr04WU70ZmskQSjn79vbwmBk41LO4O8jotAIj/s400/photo+4.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhs_oY4ZHFRG4TQ4S0zAFbZ8hKW4tOQPwaT5y8wU3RAUegUiQmeCJDgC_0Jq2uHral24k3hc1sYMLarHRfcRloXK43Q-Lnuh_XPyg0tiEgxH2Dc07dJ1gsJLaBGGMU99uP_lGDl5ULXsJ/s400/photo+5.jpg)
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