racing is like an old girlfriend...

What’s this? Why am I wearing a team jersey (yes, that's me second from the left). The boys at All Terra somehow convinced me to join them in the San Mig Lite Philippine Mountain Bike Pro Tour 2006 (say that three times, fast). My first (and last) MTB race was the 55km Survival Race back in, oh, I think 1992? In other words, I ain't no racer. No training, no diet. So I'm in this for fun...well, as much fun as I can get riding the 2.2km track for 6 laps on my singlespeed!



I'm not the only SSer either, Matt has also joined on his Ti Airborne. So we have a good chat and laugh that we're assured of at least a top-two finish in our sub-category! So it's just me and Matt in a field of 30 or so riders, all the others riding tricked out bikes...with gears!!! CHEATS!!!

Before heading off to the starting line, I load my Deuter with water - everyone else has water bottles! I didn't want to take any chances, since we'll be racing at 1pm. I take my place at the tail end of the pack before the start signal, next to King (who's a strong rider, but doesn't race) and Gary aka FlipnIdaho, who quit racing 10 years ago - on the US NORBA circuit no doubt. He had these words of wisdom to share as to why he quit racing:

"Racing is like an old girlfriend...everytime I go back to her... I remember why I broke up with her to begin with"

Before the start, something dribbled down the back of my leg, and I took a peep inside my hydration pack to check if everything was in order. Looked OK to me...and the next thing I know, we were off...racing!



The course consisted of a short but grinding climb, a twisty bit of singletrack with a drop or two thrown in for good measure before you crest the top of the hill. From there it's a series of sweeping turns that end with a drop, a quick right turn, then a short riser that turns left.



From there you enter the "bowl" where more drops and risers await, and finally, a section I call the "double dip" two successive step-drops that lead into a tight right hand switchback. Once you're clear of there you power through the finish line and do everything all over, again.



By the second lap I had overtaken Matt, and leapfrogged a few more riders, including King and Gary, when they got stuck behind a fallen rider. The three of us ended up swapping positions. I didn't mind at all, since they are my team mates! By the third lap they were giving call-outs on our race positions, and I was currently 20th, which was the last position that earned points! The sun was beating down on us mercilessly, and our agape mouths sucked in the hot air. Bystanders and supporters alike were very helpful - if not cheering us on, splashing us with water. I made a conscious effort to stay hydrated as well. Good thing I brought the hydrapack.

I was behind King as we completed lap 3, when he unexpectedly headed for the pits. I asked him if he was OK as I cycled past, but didn't hear his reply - don't worry, he was OK! Team-mate Juboy was in hot pursuit of the lead rider, and they caught up with me at the short climb. I stopped and headed off the course to give them a wide berth, and took the opportunity to gulp a few mouthfuls down. As I bit down on the valve and sucked, all I got was air. I jiggled my pack and tried again. This time a few drops came through. How could that have happened? I press on, but my water situation was worrying me.

As I started lap 4 it was clear that my hydration pack was empty. I also started to develop chills - in the mid-day sun, that isn't a good sign! My legs felt ok, but I was parched and my concentration was on and off. Johnny (who was chasing Juboy) lapped me as my front wheel washed out in a sandy turn. As I cleared double-dip I decided to turn in. As I completed lap 4, I stopped at the tent and someone gave me something to drink - problem was, it wasn't the All Terra tent! I said thanks and joked, saying "laspag na ako - tuloy maling tent ang hinintuan". The All Terra tent was the next one, so there I went.

I explained to King what happened and as I opened my pack, it was clear to me what happened. The screw-cap was not fastened down all the way! To think I checked it at the start - guess I should have really inspected it, instead of just taking a peek.

So 4 laps out of 6, that ain't too bad I guess. Matt finished the race (big ups to him), and so did the rest of the All Terra team. Juboy was in a tight battle for the top spot, but had to settle for 2nd. Ramon came in 6th. Edmund and Gary even did an extra lap - thanks to sloppy marshalling!

Not sure about the final standings - I'm sure the official results will be out soon. Admittedly, I do feel a bit lugi, or shortchanged. If I didn't have that Janet Jackson-esque equipment malfunction, I would have done all six laps. At any rate, I still had fun...and I may still be in the top 20!

I finished 2nd in our colorum single-speed sub category though! HAHA!

But I can't help thinking of the "what ifs"...

Then again, there's no use crying over spilled water.

Thanks to Jay, Polly and Mrs. Matt for the photos!