3 races in 2 days is a lot...

Last Wednesday was the Deer Valley Pedalfest, which is one of my favorite courses of the year, as well as one of the most painful. Aside from Little Stick, which is the most brutal climb anywhere in the world, it is full of fun, fast, sweeping singletrack. We ended up racing in 45 degree weather that was on the verge of a thunderstorm the entire evening. It was cold but the course was perfect: dry without dust. Although I rode around for 20 minutes before the race, I didn't get warmed up and really struggled up the first climb. It was amazing how much easier it was the second time, even though I was getting worn out. I ended up chasing for a rider for 3rd most of the race, I caught him well after I thought it was too late, but ended up taking the place by 5 seconds. There was a rider in our category that is on the Bahati Foundation team, so all of us singlespeeders can take consolation in the fact that we raced a rider who earns a salary. The local pros can too, as the entire Cannondale Factory team showed up, including Jeremiah Bishop, and the current world XC marathon champion.

The next night Dan and I headed up to the Soldier Hollow race where we took 3rd and 4th, and then jumped in our car right after finishing to get to the night ride. We knew we wouldn't have a chance here, because we didn't know the trails. We kept up for part of the climb before we each "got lost." Or is that "got tired?" We were both pretty cooked but had a blast riding with the Draper crew.

I was intent on taking Friday off but Dan talked me into a "recovery ride" up to Sundance. We did take it pretty easy, and the recovery came in the form of s'mores bars at the deli.

Saturday we rode the Nebo loop. This was the best ride of the week for me. It was a blast riding all day long and not getting tired. I've said it before, but the real payoff of all that winter riding is more being able to do epic rides without worrying about making it than performing well in races.
15 hours of riding this week, including 3.5 of racing (at 1 hour race pace!) I guess that fried chicken won't hurt too much....right?