...and I'm back.

(Sorry, needed to post a baby picture. Of course.)
After more than a year and a half off from racing bikes (save one disastrous CX race), it would seem only appropriate that as I was signing my waiver at registration for Saturday's WEMS race, just minutes after we pulled into the parking lot and Jen and Ariel helped get my bike together while I changed into my shorts, shoes, gloves, and helmet, the announcer would shout, "15!"

"Did he mean seconds?" I ask the registration volunteers.

"Yup."

And thus started my first MTB race since 2009: without me.

Thank goodness for the other women on this 75-mile relay team, Jen and Ariel, though. They were so chill about watching Elliot that I didn't have to think twice about jumping on my bike and chasing. I had one thing on my mind: go.

Now, when you're a slow biker, the idea of making up a ~2 min gap is rather daunting. I expected I'd ride the entire 9 mile lap without seeing anyone, but all the same, I threw my bike at the trail carelessly, bouncing off things with aplomb and flying down the switchbacks as if I had nothing to lose. Having not raced hard in quite some time, I just kept asking myself, "Are you panting? If not, work harder." And I did.

It was 3.5 miles in before I saw my first rider-- unfortunately for him, it was because he had a flat. He would come around me again a few miles later, but before then, around 4 miles, I saw another rider-- this one still sallying forth in the purple Mad FORCs jersey. Could it be? It was! Our only competition for the day, the series champion Mad FORCs relay team. I'm pretty sure it was Kathy. When she saw me, she definitely sped up. I sat behind her for a bit, then realized I owed it to my teammates to put a little time between us so I politely asked to pass when there was space. She was kind enough to let me by, and I returned to haphazardly throwing my bicycle at the trail. I only saw one other rider on that lap, but I did have a good time, and I rode somewhere between panicked and motivated, but I made it out unscathed.

I still can't ride those damn switchbacks on the orange.

I came out of the lap and Jen and Ariel weren't quite ready to go out yet. "She's right behind me!" I shouted, having heard the brake squeak behind me on the end of the orange climb. Off Jen went, and I relaxed with Elliot for a spell.

It's funny that the three of us put in almost exactly the same lap times. I went out for my second lap and it didn't take long before it HURT. That's the problem with relays- you warm up, ride your lap, then sit around a few hours, and when you get back into it it's a rather unpleasant wake up call. It was hard not to think it was me being just plain tired- especially after not riding much this year- but I kept pushing. On the downhill of the white I was having fun swooping back and forth until SMACK! Helmet into a tree. I bounced off and landed in some trees across the trail. Got up, brushed my helmet off, and pressed on. I need to not lead with my head on these sections. Duh.

Anyway, since my niece and nephew's joint birthday party in Milwaukee started at 3pm, I only got to ride two laps. But they were two laps of bliss, save those orange rocky switchbacks. I didn't worry about E, I didn't worry about work, I just rode-- and pretty mindlessly too. Now I remember why I do this. I'm ready for more.