My first few days were pretty awful. We had the rudest patients and went to some of the worst places I have ever been. At lunch on the first day I was trying to figure out how I was going to tell Pat I didn't want this job. I hated it. I was so uncomfortable being in someone else's home and I did not care for spending so much time in the parts of town I normally try to avoid. But Pat was sooooo excited for me to take this job. She kept telling me how this could be what I have been looking for. It has a flexible schedule and much more pay than what I am used to in outpatient.
After a lot of thought, I decided to go through with the training for at least two weeks before making a decision. I never told Pat I was so close to ending it the first two days. The second morning we went into a house in a rough part of town. It was a house filled with all males who were constantly hitting on the female nurses. I can't believe any nurse would even go into a house like that alone. There were syringes lying on every level surface. Random cars kept pulling up outside and waiting at the road for a "package" from the guys inside the house. It was way more than sketchy. Thankfully, those first two days have been by far the worst days I have had on this job. By the end of the week, I was starting to see the potential for this job that Pat was seeing.
It was a stressful week, but I was happy to have a job at this point. I got a little stress relief Wednesday night with the Music City Crits race in Nashville at the Fairgrounds Speedway. It was Race #4 of the series. The first three rounds took place while I was gone on trips earlier in May. There was the threat of incoming rain as we started our race on the kidney bean course. We had 35 riders for the Pro/1/2/3 race which ended up being shortened to 40 minutes after the rain arrived. I was able to dig deep in following the front of the race which was filled with attacks the first 20 minutes. I never tried to go with a break, just tried to stay in a good position in the group. My heart rate was pegged out at 187 more than once.
Cat. 4/5 group
A break finally got away and ended up lapping the field, which upped the pace again at the end. John Carr was in the break so I tried to do some work for him in the final eight laps. I did a hard pull to discourage attacks, but the group let me go and I ended up off the front for a lap. I was sitting up and they still did not catch me. Nobody wanted to do anything until there was finally an attack from one of the guys that had been in the break. I helped John chase that down, then finally did the big pull I wanted to do. I dropped back at about four laps to go, then ended up off the back when the field blew up at three to go. I had nothing left to close all the gaps and found myself in a chase group of four the last three laps. The other three did not pull through so I led the chase for two laps before two of the guys attacked me on the final lap. It was a little irritating because they clearly had plenty of legs left to help me with the work and maybe we could have reached the back of the group again if we were working together. I ended up 20th on the night. I don't really care about the finish position, just the workout and it was a good one for sure.
Pro/1/2/3 race underway at MC Crits #4
Video: MC Crits #4 race action
We had no race on Memorial Day weekend, so I went down to the CRAM ride in Clarksville. Shannon and I had hoped to ride the tandem there again this year, but we have had minimal time on the tandem this season. Most of it is our fault, but we have also had a lot of issues with breaking spokes on the rear wheel. I planned to do the century option for a full 100 miles. I was in the front group hammering along with Justin Lowe and Jimmy Blackmon for the first 25 miles until I flatted on the way into Trenton. Only Jimmy stopped as the others were set on doing a sub-four hour time so no time to wait for a flat change. My legs were super tight which is when I have noticed I tend to get injuries. That had me doubting whether 100 miles was a good idea today and then Jimmy decided to bail out and just do 50 miles. I ended up by myself for a while and realized if I did 100 miles it would be all alone the rest of the way. So I took the 62-mile metric option and rode up to a group that was rolling at 22-23 mph. I rode in with them which I really think was a good idea as my legs really didn't feel good when I got done. For once I can say I listened to my body and made a good decision. My gastrocs have not bothered me now in a couple of months, so I definitely don't to do something to aggravate them again.
Justin Lowe doing a selfie ahead of me while pulling us along at 27 mph
Photo by Justin Lowe
Harvested our garlic after getting home from the CRAM. Our three varieties did well this year.
Sunset on a road ride with Shannon later in the week
The following weekend saw us head to Nashville, IN for the second race of the DINO Series at Brown County State Park to kick off June. This was another place I have never been to. I have heard nothing but great things about the trails at Brown County, so it has been on my list of places to go for many years. Finally, I get to ride it!
We went up on Saturday and were able to get in a pre-ride on a gorgeous sunny day. The trails were very fun. We would be starting with a steep paved climb up the road, then turning into the singletrack for some rolling trails through the hills. We then got a big descent to a dirt road where the road was split for two-way traffic. Once back in the singletrack, there was a big climb, taking a good five minutes of hard climbing to get to the top. Then came another big descent with lots of rocks and technical areas at the top. After going back through the two-way it was on to another long climb, this one being more gradual. At the top, you either went right to start another lap, or left to descend to the finish line. The paved climb and final descent would only be ridden one time during the race. The course was fun, but I didn't see that there was anything other than the one major climb to separate us out there. I was expecting a group to be together for most of the race if not for all of it.
Lookout tower on the north end of the park
Inside the tower
The view from the top is very nice for Indiana. Who knew southern Indiana had these kinds of hills and views?
We wanted to camp at the park, but they required a two-night minimum stay and we could not go up on Friday so we ended up having to stay with cousin Sarah at her new place near Indianapolis. It was a little bit of a drive, but it was worth it to be able to stay with family.
Dina during the Brown County pre-ride
Shannon
Dina on the main climb of the race course
Some rocks to negotiate near the top of the climb
Little pond swamp along the loop
Shannon comes by the swamp on the trail
It was a nice morning on race day with clear skies, but you could tell it was going to be a hot day. Summer was definitely here. This course was much different from round one in Winona Lake. The amount of turns really helped me there. My skills would be less relevant on this course. It would be more about climbing and power today. The climb on the start scared me as I still struggle with getting myself going on the starts and this was another place I didn't want to go into the woods too far back. We had nine riders in the Elite class today. I was the last rider to the start line even though I got there five minutes early and that put me alone on the second row. The start was in the grass with a 50-yard dash to a right turn onto the road to begin the steep climb. The road section was about a mile long, starting with a steep grade that I would say was about 20%. The grade then backed off slowly and crested before a flat to slightly uphill section. The gradient then picked up again to a 10-12% grade for the final 300 meters before we turned right into the singletrack.
We shot across the grass and onto the pavement I picked up a few spots through the turn then got blocked in on the edge of the road. As we started the climb I expected someone to attack, but the pace was actually very slow. I dropped to the back and moved over to the left so I had room to move up. I set a decent tempo up the hill and found myself leading at the top of the first grade. I didn't necessarily want to lead everyone, but first is better than seventh at this point. I held a little something back on the flat section as everyone sat on my wheel as expected. As soon as we began the last grade the attacks started. Four riders got ahead of me before the top and I had to sprint another one all the way to the woods to get into the singletrack in fifth. The front four had a little gap and I had to push the first descent to get across. Nobody came across with me and we already had the first split of the race.
One of the classes coming up the steep starting climb
The five of us stayed together in the same order through lap 1. They hurt me on the big climb, but I was able to hang within a few bike lengths at the top and easily closed that down starting the descent. The two-way section was insane. There were flags down the center of the doubletrack to split the two directions and on the start line we were told to stay to the left of the flags at all times. That did not stop everyone from running over the flags to find a more hardpack line. The second time through on the first lap we were meeting riders and it really looked like someone was going to get hit head-on. I was really surprised that guys were crossing the flags. I didn't do it as I felt like it was against the rules. Markings are markings whether they are flags or tape.
A rider heads out for another lap
One rider came across to our group as we ended lap 1, making it a leading group of six. Two riders had mechanical issues early in lap 2 and I found myself up to third without expending any extra effort to pass. Both riders recovered from their issues to reform our group of six heading into the big climb again. Lee Hauber led us up the climb much faster than the previous lap. I felt better this time and was able to hold the wheel of Chris Bowman until the final turn on the climb. The front two gapped me a few bike lengths again over the top. I sprinted over the crest to be sure I didn't get passed going into the descent. Again, I easily close the gap on the descent. I was surprised at the bottom to see there was nobody behind us. It was now down to three up front.
Expert Women taking the split to start another lap
The two ahead sat up just after the two-way section to drink so I went to the front. I didn't really attack, but I did up the pace on the final climb to make sure the guys chasing behind did not rejoin us. I started the third and final lap in the lead with Lee and Chris still with me. I wanted to set the pace on the climb this lap as I knew that was my only weak spot on this course. Lee also wanted to lead the climb. When we hit the two-way section he attacked on the other side of the flags. Riders were coming toward us and he didn't care. Several guys had to run off into the bushes to keep from hitting him. I had a feeling he was going to do that, but there wasn't much I could do about it as I was not going to cross the flags no matter what he did.
The pace was fast into the climb and I had to back off as soon as the trail turned up. Chris came by and bridged right over to Lee. I kept them in sight up the first half of the climb, but then they really turned it up on the second half and I fell back to about 15 seconds behind at the top. Again though, I ripped the descent and closed the gap to them well before the bottom. I knew my legs were fading, but I was over the main obstacle and had another chance to go for the win.
Just after the going through the two-way section again there was a wide section of fire road that was really that last opportunity for a clean pass. I was ready to attack as we came into it. I was expecting Chris to do the same, but both riders ahead of me sat up. I took advantage and attacked in the weeds on the right. Lee accelerated and pushed me hard for the spot. I had to jump a log in the weeds, but did make the pass and led into the final climb. As soon as I sat down my hip flexors began to cramp. I kept the pace as fast as I could up the climb as I knew Lee was all over me and I could feel I was slowing down. I got a little slow over a wad of roots and Lee was able to squeeze by on my right and put in a big attack. I had nothing to respond with. Chris then came by in a short wide spot and went right across to Lee. It looked like Chris was the strongest as he seemed to have no trouble closing the gap. The two pulled away from me, but then Lee began to fade and I started to gain on them. I was going as hard as I could without completely locking up my hips.
I expected Chris to attack when Lee slowed, but he didn't. I dug deep and was able to get back to them as we neared the split for the trail to the finish. There was one spot I thought I could pass them right at the split. I knew if I could get on the descent first I could probably hold them off even with cramps. They both sprinted through the split. I tried my passing line, but couldn't even get up next to Chris as the pace was just too high. We flew down the descent. It was one of the fastest descents I have ever done. We were in heavy traffic. Lee was really pushing it to pass people and it made Chris and I take some risks as well. I had studied the finish on Saturday in case this situation came up. Upon exit of the woods, you had a sweeping left 180-degree turn on singletrack in a field. The singletrack angled across the field toward the parking lot while the course went behind the parking lot. Following the carved-out singletrack was not the shortest route across the grass into the final turns, but the trail was so much faster than the grass that it made you really have to think about what point you should move from the trail to the grass. Two right turns followed the grass straight with the finish line coming about 30 meters after the final turn.
I knew my sprint was good at Winona Lake so I had confidence I could win this or at least pick off one rider and take second. I was glued to Chris and Chris to Lee as we hit the final section of trail. We had one more lapped rider to pass before we hit the field. We were borderline out of control as we caught this guy. Lee and Chris got by clean, but I had to change up my line as the trail narrowed and the lapper gave me no room. I lost a few bike lengths just as we came to the field. Lee was flying around the 180. I smashed the pedals and focused on Chris's back wheel as we started across the grass straightaway. Lee and Chris stayed in the singletrack. We were going so fast that I lost track of how far across the straight we were and I missed the point at which I wanted to jump off the trail and into the grass. I realized it as I came up onto Chris's wheel, but so did the other two. We all three jumped into the grass at the same time. I tried to get underneath Chris into the nextturn, but couldn't make it work. Chris went wide into the last turn and tried to get outside of Lee. I was hoping Lee would block and I could slip by on the inside, but he stayed low. I hugged the barriers on the inside and got next to Chris as we came off the turn. Chris and I both gained on Lee, but nobody was able to make a pass before the line. Lee was about a wheel ahead of Chris on the line and I was about half a bike off of Chris. So all three of us finished within a bike length.
I feel like I had a great sprint left and I should have won it. Had I pulled out into the grass where I had practiced I have no doubt I would have passed them both, but I had my head down and it caused me to miss my mark. You have to keep your head up and always be looking ahead. I was really surprised I could sprint that hard without cramping, but the hip flexors didn't even so much as twitch in that finish. Overall, I am very pleased. I didn't have the best day and got gapped every lap on the big climb, but I fought hard and was in with a chance to win at the end. I was there simply because I wanted it. That was all determination. I finished with Chris, who is already looking like he will be my main challenger for the series. I am not sure if Lee is doing the series or not, but he will be tough the rest of the season as well. There is one point between finish positions in the DINO Series, so I came in with a one point lead over Chris. He beat me by one spot today so we are now tied for the series lead. This series is going to be fun and I think it will go down to the wire!
I went back out for another full lap after the race. I am still working on my endurance and this place was fun so another lap was a no-brainer. Dina's race in Sport Women was just one lap again today, but she said this course was tough for her with the big climb. She finished fourth in the overall and was second in the 19-39 group. She almost got hit head-on by a rider in the two-way section who was on the wrong side of the flags. She went down to race promoter Brian Holzhausen afterwards to let him know how crazy that section was. There were others down there complaining about the same thing, one even pointing out Lee. Brian said he was aware of the issues, but didn't do anything to actually enforce the rule. When you tell riders not to cross course markers you have to take action when people intentionally break your rule, especially in this situation when it put everyone in danger. Nothing was done to anyone though, so I am not sure if they just don't stand behind their rules in this series or if course markings are just a suggestion.
Dina was second in Sport Women 19-39
Elite Men and overall Expert podium
Video: Clips from DINO #2 at Brown County
DINO is doing a cool thing with photos this year. You can upload your photos to FlashFrame, which is a website for all levels of photographers to share their photos and for the athletes to be able to purchase photos of themselves. Riders can buy photos for download or print-out. I will be adding my photos all season. I don't care if you buy them or not. I will continue to put them on this blog and on Facebook for free download because I want riders to be able to get photos of themselves. I am doing FlashFrame so you can have the option to buy a print should you feel the need. Just hop on the website and search out the event name to see what photos have been uploaded from photographers on hand that day. Anyone can add photos. You just need an account which is easy to set up. I've actually already sold a photo. It has the potential for someone to earn a little extra cash for just taking pictures while there at the race.
After the race, we explored the park and tried to get our money out of the high park entrance fee you have to pay for each day you enter an Indiana State Park. The park is quite hilly and features several nice viewpoints and a few small lakes. Everybody hyped the views. They are nice for Indiana, but far from what I am used to in Tennessee. The park also has a lot of other mountain bike trails including several downhill flow trails. Brown County is definitely on my list to come back to on a long weekend.
View from Hesitation Point. Another great viewpoint for what you would expect from Indiana.
Ogle Lake
There's a covered bridge at the north entrance of the park. Covered bridges are a big thing in this part of Indiana.
On the inside
Next up for me is the GSC Series race in Acworth, GA. We have a short track and an XC at this round so it will be my last chance to get back in the running for the series. More on that in the next blog.
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