I was very excited to race Prairie City again since I loved the series last year and the year before. I felt confident about my strength because of all of the training I've been doing with Julie. I never know where I'm going to start in the big crowd of people so I just kinda filed in behind the sport men and then got shuffled back to my class.I had a good start but on the first corner someone slid out 90 degrees from the other racers, put a foot down, slid some more and then fell. I just kept going and was first to the long straight hill. After that, I thought it was a good race. I ended up first which is a great start to the series. Thanks to everyone who's given me advice and training. Also, Roseville Cyclery for the awesome bike.
Race #2
After the first race, I felt good for the second race. This time the course went straight down from the start. The top 3 kids in my class got a call up so I was almost guaranteed a good start. The course was good and I was in the lead, or so I thought, until out of no where Jack came flying past me like I was standing still. I had nothing in my legs to attack back. I ended up second but felt pretty good about the series standings.
Race #3
At the start of race 3 I was really wondering if I would beat Jack since his last performance was so "wowing". The start sloped up to the left and the trail hit singel track pretty quick so I knew a good start was key. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind someone in my class on the single track and it was scary to try and pass. Also to my great pleasure (not), Jack and Khy both got really good starts and were 3-4 people ahead of me. Once I got by the kid ahead of me, it was on. I made passes that I usually wouldn't, not bad just uncomfortable to me. The course was really hard to pass on because of the twisty-turny sections. One of the other kids in my class caught the side of a rut and went down. I was able to catch Khy and then finally Jack. Surprised that I was by him, I pedaled my heart out for the rest of the race. I finished 1st and was very pleased.
Race #4
I didn't think the race would happen with the lightning and rain.I pre-rode the course and found out that it was really fun with big berms. My start was great and I was able to maintain the lead and finish first. That was really great because we earned 10 extra points because of the weather.
Race #5
I was 1st in the series and had a good lead thanks to the extra 10 points. Some people said that the course was hard and not fun. WRONG! Well, it was hard and it was easy to get lost but other than that, it was an awesome course. There were two steep climbs at the far end of the course and another in the middle. There was also a rock section and two water bars, that were jumps for me. The start was chaotic. I was in 5th at the start which was sketchy. Then Khy wiped out hard in front of me and I had to swerve to avoid running over his hands. This race Jordan, just recovering from a broken foot and part of Placer Foothills, was racing and was way in front. Jack also took off and was gone. I thought it might be a race for second but was able to catch Jack and pass him on the last lap. I tried to catch Jordan but he was just too fast. I had a great race and finished 2nd. The series points weren't affected because it was Jordan't first time at Prairie City.
Race #6
There were only 4 more races in the series and I was going to miss #7 because of 6th grade camp. That was OK because camp was going to be fun. The two days before the race were complete rest days so I came in with empty legs. I pre-rode the course and loved it. Jordan had won the previous race pretty easily and was racing again today. I felt as ready as I could and had an ok start. I tried as hard as I could but Jordan and Jack gapped me. I finished with 4th at my heals, beating him by only 2 seconds. Jordan was first beating me by 2:37.
Race #7 - sixth grade camp
Race #8
I was excited to get back to Prairie City. I felt good before the race but sick during. Khy got a carbon Norco and he was so fast. He dropped me and Jordan went with him. I felt okay about getting 3rd and was just happy Khy didn't get that bike earlier in the season.
Race #9
I knew I had to race hard since the series was about to wrap up. I raced as hard as I could but Khy still beat me. With Jordan always winning, I placed 3rd but was happy to keep my points lead.
Race #10
I guess they saved the best course for the last. It was super fun because we got to go down into the snake pit motorcycle area. Here's the catch though. You didn't go into the pit the first lap. I forgot and almost dove into the motorcycle area until everyone blew by it. The course was all super fun and I was able to out climb Khy coming out of the pit and pedaled hard to finally beat him. I ended up second which meant that I won the series.
PC awards
The awards were back at the park in Folsom and were super fun but reminded me that the series was over. I had a great time at the playground with my friends.I placed 1st in the beginner men 14-17 class. I had a blast and look forward to next year. Thanks to Sarah and Brian for putting on the races. Thanks to Roseville Cyclery for keeping my bike in great shape for the series. Finally, thanks to Julie Young for the training that's making me stronger and able to do well at my races.
Photo Credit Stephanie Perdue and Jared Mickel
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