John Karrasch Bike Fitting Services: Bump and Grind 2013 quick report and photos.

I hadn't planned on doing Bump and Grind this year. I never really plan on doing it...or any XC race for that matter. I just don't like them very much so I quit doing them four or five years ago.

I had already made plans for the weekend, we were volunteering at the Magic City Brewfest Friday night and drinking all sorts of beer free on Saturday. Sunday would be a rest day.

I thought.

Pete texted me mid week to let me know I was signed up for the Singlespeed class on Sunday. Hm, no real backing out of that, in a matter of seconds I was committed. I knew Brewfest and racing were a poor combination but I didn't really see myself being competitive anyway so I did what I had planned and promised to drag myself out of bed Sunday morning no matter what.

I did exactly that.

I felt bad. My stomach was unhappy and didn't care much for any food Sunday morning. I drank a ton of water Saturday but free dark beer is a powerful thing and I was glad I hadn't set lofty race day goals. I had set some, I always do.

No crashing. Don't be last. Don't be a bitch and give up halfway through.

There was some Oak Ass chatter at the start line which was nice. During my brief pre ride I noticed a very steep grassy hill near the finish line with tape on each side of it. I had an inclination I would be riding up it and chose to think about other things.

Poor fitness or not, I went for the whole shot. Stewart got it and one other guy got by going into the singletrack. I rode in third spot for awhile. I never wear a heart monitor racing but knew I was already deep in an unsustainable pace but this might be the only time of the day I went fast so I continued to do so.

Singletrack was good, as were rocks. I was able to go fast on these. Uphill hurt and I went backwards every time. Before we got to the main fire road climb a couple more people got by and I felt the crampy twitchies settling in. Quads, hamstrings, calves. The cramps were not especially particular about what muscles they took over. I rode as slow as I could up the fire road.

It seemed very hot. No walking, I already knew what would happen. Someone would see me and never let me forget it....no walking. I passed Mike Garner, nice to see him on a mountain bike.

I used my time across the top as recovery time. Stewart had flatted earlier and came past me with a train of geared people. This looked appealing but my legs were still in cramp mode. Pete passed me also. His day was going better than mine.

I began feeling better down the Bump trail and made some passes. The cramps subsided a bit and I was able to push hard again through the last five or ten miles. I began to make some more passes and felt good. I knew I was nowhere near a podium but slowing down seemed like cheating or poor sportsmanship. Something, I don't know...

Credit to uzelessknowledge

I came out of the Lake trail and saw the grassy death hill in front of me. It was worse than it looked. I got up it quick like. Down the other side and my day was done.

Nine minutes down on first and seventh place I think. Better than I expected or felt I guess. Thanks to the awesome volunteers and Pete for the hook up. I might have to come back and do this again once I have some fitness.

Here are some pics from the day.