Missoula XC UCI XCO- Presented by Zillastate

Exactly 1 year ago, the Missoula XC marked my very first UCI Mountain Bike race. At that point, I had yet to learn about hand ups, tech zones, pit passes, 80% elimination rules, and pretty much everything else that comes with racing at the top level. Since then I have had the pleasure of competing in 1 other UCI race and National Championship at the Professional level. I’m learning so very much with every precious opportunity to line up with the most talented riders in the country but it takes time .

Missoula, Montana is just one of “THOSE” places.
It sneaks into your heart through the back door and stays there, like for always. With world-class fly fishing just outside of (and in the midst of) town, miles and miles of singletrack built by the fine folks at MTBMissoula, not to mention the home of Big Sky Brewery, headquarters for the Adventure Cycling Association, annnd of course, the home of Cowboy Andy- who was by far the best in show at the incredible Saturday Farmers Market. It is the kind of place I could (also) call home.

The course was in top shape this year. With light rains and cooler temperatures leading up to race day, we all knew that this would be a rare mid-summer treat. The course starts hard up a steep cat-track road at Marshall Mountain and climbs roughly 800 winding, steep and challenging feet per lap. The downhill on this course is something I have come to look forward to. The steep, twisting, sharp corners and switchbacks, loose shale and log drops keep you on your toes before you run out into the lower meadow to begin the lap-style course once again. Huge thanks to Larissa Connors and the Ridebiker Alliance folks for hosting a fun pre-ride, complete with snacks and a tour of their rad road-rig! Also, be sure to check out Larissa's Blog.

After a solid mid-pack start and much improved approach to the big climb, I very nearly managed to kill myself on a fast (Read: Wide Open and totally NOT technical) descent when I clipped a pedal and tested my potential as a gymnast. I remember seeing lots of sky, ground and then sky again before my body took the impact. Lying there, checking my C-Spine (Neck, for all y'all non-medical types), and wondering if I’d been there very long was pretty scary. Next challenge was finding the bike- which had bounced off down the meadow without me (rude!). Luckily that Niner Air RDO can really take a beating. Sore, bloody and a little worse for wear, the day’s goals shifted to finish. Just finish. And I did. Even redeemed myself with a solid top 10 finish in my very first Pro Short Track (STXC) race the next morning.

There's no magic formula to make race day go perfectly, but there always comes a point when you have the choice to engage and make the very most of the situation at hand.

A huge thank you to my support crew: Mom & Dad, Greg, Chinook Winds Casino, Dryve Wheels, Bauerhaus Cycles, Finish Line Sports, Nature’s Bakery, ESI Grips, Swiftwick Socks and George’s Cycles.