Ok, now that I am finally home, I can do a more complete report of our trip to Tucson. The drive is about 14 hours, but with the headwind we had BOTH ways pulling the trailer, it took longer than that. I loved the drive through New Mexico, and it was weird and sad to go through Albuquerque, my home town, without stopping. Instead, I gave an earful to Yuki and Jeff about Albuquerque. We stayed in Lordsburg, NM Wed night and continued on to Tucson early Thursday morning. After waiting over an HOUR to rent the RV, we finally headed out to the venue to find a small city of racers waiting for us.
Since I had the worst sinus headache ever Wednesday and Thursday, I decided that I would pre-ride the course Thursday and Friday, but ride in zone 1 and 2.
Here are some quick photos of the course. There was a ton of cholla cactus all over the course. One overshot of a corner, and you’d have it all over and IN you. I learned to mountain bike on desert singletrack, so I wasn’t too worried. Others weren’t so lucky.
The “bitches” – a series of rollers a few miles into the course. During the pre-ride they didn’t seem like that big of a deal. At race pace and after a few laps, they really are a bitch!
Jeff and I riding the bitches. That sounds funny.
I wish I had taken better photos of the course!! There were way cooler spots with narrow, tight singletrack and cholla trees.
Desert sunset
Then we went to the Dave Wiens dedication dinner. It rocked!!! It was so great to hear all these great true things about Dave – even though he is a legend, he is humble, will be nice and talk to everyone, and has an amazing attitude.
Mr. Wiens giving a speech.
There was good cake.
Dave signed autographs.
The team! Yuki, me, Dave, Jeff
The bikes. I heart Rotwild R.R2 FS. Very nice!
We sold tons and tons of grips. Jeff was the master installer. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
I cooked a yummy salmon dinner in the RV Wed night.
Dave Wiens LOVES pastries. That’s right. You got a problem? OOOO! Danish!
Ok, this post is long enough. I’ll do another post on the race itself! There was just too much going on to just do one post! 🙂
Good work at the race. Looks like it was a fun weekend.
Sorry to hear the sinus infection took you out but I think you should be really stoked about your efforts!! Yipee!!!
Most excellent race at 24OP!
You gonna go solo now? 🙂
Tuna is better.
Congrats on the win you guys, looks like you had a fun time.
For being sick girl you still rocked some great lap times