Over and over.

Dirt crits is never boring. Rock up each week, do the same laps but roll home with something different each time. This week the highlight was my graceful over the ‘bars effort halfway through the first lap in B grade.
Had a good start, mid pack & filed into the singletrack heading west alongside the Westgate Bridge, wheel on wheel amongst the other B graders. I was sitting in a taller gear than usual at this pace & was grinding out of the saddle just off the wheel in front of me. We roll into a little decent where the track weaves between some pallets, then off a little timber ramp up to switchback between some trees.
Been through here a million times without a thought in the world, but tonight in a little brain fade moment I rolled just to the right off the little timber ramp & my front wheel finds a hole & something solid to stop up against. Being out of the saddle at this point, leaning way forward ready for the little climb just after the ramp, the sudden stop was a big surprise. In one graceful, almost poetic arc pivoting on the front axle I continued with my bike as it pitched forward, still clipped in, still with both hands on the ‘bars, I pass that point where you might’ve had that chance to fight the forces of nature & instinct with the attempt to right things, I tuck my head in as I roll right over on my back. Coming to a rest pointing back towards the oncoming riders.
I had rolled to one side of the track so most of the B graders behind me were filing through by the time I jumped immediately to my feet. No damage, the Specialized Stumpjumper was still OK ,but being so early in the race the whole field had to pass before I could continue. I actually spent a bit of extra time checking myself out before remounting because I didn’t want to discover any nasties after the adrenalin passed.
Paulie was actually right on my wheel at the time so I really screwed up his place, having to stop & ask if I was OK as the field went through.
I rolled off way after the last rider’s lights disappeared into the trees.
The rest of my race was a solo affair, but I kinda felt good to put in some time doing this MTB caper on my own, being able to rail the corners & pick some tasty lines. I caught & passed some riders but it was hard to tell if they were B graders or one of the other grades. I passed Paulie later on that first lap with a broken chain – sucks.
All in all it was a OK sorta evening out MTBing. There’s always next week…

http://www.fullgaspromotions.com.au/new/dirtcrits.html