Race Anecdotes: Pure Venom Mountain Bike Race

First mountain bike race of the season. A little nervous. A little apathetic. A little, “Sure, fuck it, why not?”

I’ve been focusing on road racing with the goal of upgrading to a Cat 2 by the end of the season. With more mid-pack finishes than podiums, I’m realizing that this goal will extend to next season. Maybe the season after that. I’m trying to focus on the journey and the process of it all instead of rushing to the goal. I’m trying not to compare my results to my competitors. Maybe it’s all in vain, but I’m trying.

I needed a change.

Mountain bike races are much more relaxed than road races. Rarely, if ever, do I see a mountain biker on a trainer, tuning everyone out, stone face, resting race face on at the starting line. Instead, most of the mountain bikers are farting around, chatting, and realizing, “Oh, hey, I need to do a little bit of warm-up.” I still take it seriously, but it’s easier to let your guard down at a mountain bike race.

Because I’m still a novice mountain biker, I think I put less pressure on myself than I do with road. Even though with a learner’s mindset, we’re always learning — even the pros. Giving myself credit for PR’ing a descent on the mountain bike and being more excited about that than the first place I earned. In road, I focus more on what I could have…