12 Hours of Stony 2013 Part 2

So....where did we leave off?

Oh yes...eating branches...

My first reaction whenever I have a crash is to "Get Up"! 

So thats what I did. 

I untangled myself from the rather large branch that I was stuck to and picked up my bike to use as a crutch to hold myself up while I caught my breath.

I realized at this point that my saddle was turned completely backwards.  For some reason I decided the best way to fix this was by pounding on it with my hand....not getting my multi-tool out....Josh was not pleased about this when I recounted this story to him later.

Somehow, I managed to make this system work and after patting myself down for other broken parts, I made my way back onto the trail and slowly restarted my lap.

Once I made it back to the pit, I sat down for a longer break and Josh tried to help work out a few severly tight spots in my back.

During the next two laps, I took things slowly and worked hard at counting down from 5 to help relax my back.  Over and over and over...5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

Josh switched my wheels over to my full suspension frame on my next pit stop and getting off the hard tail helped relieve some of the impact on my back.

The rest of the day was about damage control and still trying to earn my hundo.  I chipped away at it until they called the last lap.

It was a bit of a rough ending to the day, but I did win a bottle of Heed in the random drawing they hold at the race :-) 

In addition to that, I received a hoodie for being the solo female rider (showing up automatically gave me a first place finish).  I was stupid excited about that hoodie...I love getting hoodies!

Overall, it was a great day and I'm looking forward to getting back out on the trail once my body calms down!

12 Hours of Stony 2013 Part I

Yesterday was our official race season kick off with the Fun Promotions 12 Hours of Stony Creek.

Josh and I look forward to this race as a chance to see where we stand with training, pit organization and just as a general excuse to get out and hang with other mountain biking junkies!

The week leading up to this weekend was crazy for both of us at our respective jobs, but we still made it to race morning with our supplies and sanity intact (note the hulk mask).

Josh did an amazing job setting up our pit, complete with a tarp wall to help keep the strangely crisp may wind at bay.

Our neighboring mountain biker thought our pit was quite extravagant, this being his first 12 hour event.  We assured him while it may seem over the top to bring everything but the kitchen sink, its worth it when you need something during the race.

The first half of the morning went really well.  I was pretty happy with my pace and also enjoyed playing with our cardo intercom demo.

The cardo allowed me to talk with Josh in the pit so that we could organize what we needed prior to my arrival. In addition, it let me chat with Josh for a few minutes in the back of the lap, a section that can be quite lonely...

The 6 hour riders would be starting their race at 2 o'clock and I was looking forward to the extra traffic to help get me through the end of my day.  I was on pace for a decently timed hundo (plus some) and feeling good.

It was about this time that I experienced one of those crashes that knocks the wind out of you.

One minute I'm sailing down the trail, the next, I'm having an out of body experience watching myself go limp and eating some branches on the side of the trail...

To be continued...

Island Lake Bike Demo

It was a beautiful day today for riding bicycles!

Trek and American Cycle & Fitness came out with their beautiful bicycles in tow.  I had the opportunity to ride the ever impressive Super Fly 100 and was of course immediately in love.

I'm going to have to put that bad boy on my Christmas list this year...

The trails were in great condition and allowed me to get in a good three hours at a "Dana" race pace in preparation for next weekends "12 Hours of Stony" race.

I'm looking forward to getting through the week so that I can enjoy some more of this beautiful weather and trail!

Make-A-Wish Chili's Night!

Mark the calender for May 14th, 2013! 

The Chili's on Hall Rd in Sterling Heights will be donating 10% off their sales that night to Make-A-Wish if you stop in to dine or if you pick up carry out!  All you need to do is show them the attached flyer!

Let them make you dinner that night!  It's win win!

It's National Bike Month!!!!

May is National Bike Month!  

Make sure you spread some cyclist love today!!!