Weaverville Recap!

Where do I begin in describing my new favorite race? True mountain bike trails, climbing, descending, hike-a-biking, scary "if I make a mistake, I wonder if I will ever stop falling down the mountain?" trails, and a perfectly located camp resort right across the street from the venue...dare I say with clean bathrooms? Yeah, like I said, it is my new favorite race!

So what does it take to displace Downieville? Well, D-ville is still incredible, but have you ever tried to pass there? The bozo's going down the hill aren't very accomodating at letting you by. At least here, there is plenty of passing and that makes a big difference. But, regardless of that, this course is simply too much fun! You basically climb to the top of the mountain in a combination of fireroads and tight and twisty flume trails, once to the top to traverse the ridges before coming down some of the best, most challenging XC single track I have ridden!

The race was going great for the Butler clan and whilst Dad and Bri battled it out for their respective class wins (and MORE importantly BRAGGING RIGHTS!), Brett was in solid position in the sport class, and I was trying to pass as many experts as possible!!! (Yeah, yeah, CB, I know I GOTS to move up for next season...) Me and this dude were battling on a cool downhill and then made the turn back up and around only to dump out on the fire road in the middle of a group that we had DROPPED MILES before. Hmmm, looks like some people missed the single track uphill.

Great, I LOVE battling to repass people I have already dropped...

By the time we got to the technical decent me and the dude had re passed most of them and then on the hike-a-bike, I ran past both of them, and thought, "TIME TO MOTO!" I was able to open up a gap and was thinking that this could be my best race of the year when all of a sudden...KAAAABLAAAMOOOO!!!! I went to turn and got body slammed to the ground! OUCH! What the HELL!!!??? Flat front tire, that's what the heck. Oh boy, was I upset!

I changed the tire as quickly as possible, but the damage had been done. I tried to chase back on, but we were not far from the finish, so I ended up in 2nd, by just about 1 minute. Oh well. It was still a great ride. Bri got 2nd too...both in her class and to dad. I think this makes the old man pretty happy! Brett ended up 5th.

What a great weekend! This is definitley one to put on the calendar for next year!!!

Ninja Mountain Bike School

Only the most serious pedalers can partake in this underground and little known, but highly effective training program. Do you think you have what it takes? Do you ofter wonder if there is anything to be scared of in the dark? Do you often wonder that you had reflexes like a ninja and riding skills like Hanz Rey? Then NINJA MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING SCHOOL is for you!

Do not settle for cheap immitations. These can be easily spotted by a bunch of ninnies riding around a grassy park wearing blindfolds. EASY. Not a challenge. This does NOT count!

All you need remember is this:
The first rule of Ninja Mountain Bike Riding School is that:
1. Lights are for SISSIES!!!

See you at class...

Lagrange Fall Classic, Weaverville CA

If you weren't there you missed the best race of the year! More to come soon.....

Winning..... or not....

This is Bri at Santa Barbara for the second race. That's me in the pink!! (3rd Back) My arch nemesis is the first one on the left in the white!! Grrrr.. I was winning the race until I started having bike problems. I blew the seal on the rear shock while practicing the day before, it was still working then. During the race it got even worse, covered my bike in grease and wouldn't lock out. Then as I was ripping down this hill, a guy had crashed and was getting him and his bike back on the course and he jumped out in front of me. His camel back caught my jersey and threw me to the ground. It was my first crash in a race and I could have killed him!!! I was still winning until more problems with the bike.... the chain dropped 3 times on the back of the course where there was some climbing and that is where 2nd place caught me. It was a great race, I was doing really well and was pretty happy that I lead the first lap!