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Home > Trip Reports > Dirt, Sweat and Gears MTB Race
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Playing Boccie' Ball
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Finally found my bike
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Lemans Start
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Me
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Me, Jason and Reed chillin by the bonfire
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Tinker
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Gary Fisher chillin and drinking beer at the Team NMB tent
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My bike after the first lap
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Trip Report
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Dirt, Sweat and Gears MTB Race
Fayetteville , TN
posted by JmacTN
I arrived in Fayetteville on Friday afternoon and sat up camp. Since I hadn't rode the trail yet, I did a quick pre-ride. The trail was in perfect shape. It was a little tacky which made for excellent traction. This condition did not last, however, because it started storming about 2:30 am. The rain lasted until about 8 am and the race started at 9am. So, you know what this means-muddy trial.
I did the first lap for Team NMB. After the Lemans start I had some trouble finding my bike. After a little searching and people yelling and pointing to my bike, I finally found it. I started in the back ,but passed some riders on the way into the woods. And this is where all the trouble started. All the hills were impossible to ride up (at least for most of us) and everyone was dismounting to walk up. Then the mud started to build up on the tires and frame. I had to stop many times ( I lost count after about 20) to clear the mub from the tires. My wheels would not roll at all. I carried my bike on flat land, up hills and down hills. My bike was probably 20 lbs heavier with all the mud. It soon wore me out. Pushing was just as hard because the wheels wouldn't roll.
Eventually I made it to some single track where I could actually ride. This didn't last long, though, as I had to repeat the process of stopping and clearing mud.
When I pre-rode the trail on Friday, I completed a lap just under 1 hour. During the race on Saturday, I completed the first lap just under 2 hours.
Despite all of this, I still had a great time out there. I wasn't the only one suffering! It was an eye opening experince and I feel like I am a better rider because of it. And the beer tasted good and the festivities were fun after the race. I can't wait until next year's DSG!
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