The road season is wrapping up and it’s time to hit the trails.  Man, am I ever jonesing to ride my mountain bike.  I have had an outstandingly mediocre season on the road.  What between mono, reconstructive knee surgery, a rotator cuff injury, and most recently breathing problems (possibly adult onset asthma…though I don’t know for sure since I just really don’t want to go to another doctor) all in the last year, I’m just not really producing good form…or good results.

So to say the least, I’m pretty bummed with the year, and I need some reminder of why I love this sport.  So I’m off to the races once again, but this time it’s on the dirt.  I’m sad to say that I haven’t done one single mountain bike race in 2009!  Not a single one!  This is total travesty and amends must be made!  I love road racing, but I really, really love mountain bike racing.

So, if you are in AZ, there are two great MTB events coming up this month.

This weekend (Saturday, Aug. 15) is a charity ride and race in Phoenix to help raise awareness of rare childhood diseases.  More info at Women’s Bike Talk.

Next weekend (Saturday, Aug. 22) is the Absolute Bikes (my old employer) & St. Mary’s Food Bank Charity MTB Race and Ride.  Absolute Bikes puts on a great race up in Flagstaff, and there are always great handmade prizes and gift certificates for the racers.  And I’m gonna be racing!  My first MTB race in 2009!  And I don’t care how I place, because I’m going purely for the fun, no pressure, no nada.

Beyond that, I am hoping to finally get some use of out the cyclocross bike I built up last fall but never got to ride.  I’ll be at Interbike and am pondering Cross Vegas, though it is probably more fun to spectate.  I’ll also represent the team at the AZ State Team Time Trial Championships and possibly the AZ State Hillclimb.  But for the most part, it’s time to recover and rebuild…oh, and finish my pesky MA thesis (too bad the thing won’t just go do itself…if ya know what I mean). 

Until next time, enjoy the ride!