Stage 2 in the bag

Not sure where to even begin. Let’s just say if you live in socal, like myself, and you are a mountain biker, consider yourself lucky. We have amazing conditions. Before arriving here, I had a heck of a time just trying to find a pair of mud tires. (I ended up getting some here) trying to find a mud tire in l.a. is like trying to find a renegade or a small block 8 here in Costa Rica. Practically extinct. Today I rode through terrain that was indescribable. Mud, thick sticky globby red clay mud. The stuff that bricks and clay pottery is made from. I rode up trails that made Fargo St look like a speed bump. How do you train for this???? I’m racking my brain. I’ve had high speed near misses with:
(mom, don’t read, just scroll down)
A back hoe
Countless jeeps and trucks
A dozen motorcycles
An old lady
At least 20 mangy village dogs
2 horses on a narrow mossy bridge
And a goat!
All at speeds exceeding 35 mph.
It truly is, a jungle out here! Still haven’t seen any monkeys though…..
Today’s stage shot out of the start with a 1k fast warm up, into some super, super steep pitches. The descent was beyond technical. I consider myself a good descender. Today, my spandex could have been a huggies diaper!
Hot and extremely humid to top it off. Once we hit the first climb I managed to stay with the lead group for a little bit. Before I knew it, they rode off into the thick green foliage leaving me in what is called “no man’s land.” nobody in front of me, nobody behind me. (except for about 240 racers) I was sitting in 11th place, and was content with riding my own pace, and being smooth like butter on the descending. I DO NOT want to be changing a flat on a mud caked bike, nor do I want to walk countless miles with a broken wheel. We hit 6,800 feet of climbing in the first 10 miles! With 5,400 feet still to go! Today was referred to by the locals as the easy day! The people here are truly amazing! I rode through tons of towns and villages to hear screams of “go go!” “bein- bein!” I even heard a few “gringo loco’s!” made it to the finish line in 9th, cold shower and off to the hotel. Pre race dinner at 7.
Tomorrow is the volcano day! 1 hr long descent! Not sure about how much climbing. Oh btw, I’m in today’s National newspaper! I’m crossing a river with my bike in the air. Photo coming soon,
G

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