Highland Hex Lowdown

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It’s been a few days since I’ve raced the Highland Hex 6 hour race and I’m still really excited about the day. I chose to ride the event solo on my HiFi Pro and turned out a 1st overall in the women’s field (or the lack their of, since there was just two of us). The weather held out for most of the race, although there were muddy sections I honestly expected them to be worse. The course had a lot of flow, fast single track descents that ended in a long grinding climb to the next piece of fast single track. I went into the race without much anxiety and just really wanted to go and enjoy the day. It was after all a Saturday and I was out riding my bike with a bunch of friends, my husband, and others who loved riding their bikes - instead of working at the Geneva Bicycle Center (thanks Jim!).

Mark and I both chose to race solo and with no pit crew to help us refuel each lap we had to plan our food needs in advance. Well, I planned on 6 laps and had enough bottles for just 6. At about lap 3 I realized that I would probably be doing 7 laps if I held my pace. I was amazed at how well I felt and how fast I was riding, with just myself and one other woman racing solo I was comparing myself to the men’s field. I had a good start and held a comfortable pace up the first long climb to the single track. I was riding close behind three other guys. Once we hit the single track I was able to pass them but once we hit the next climb they passed me again. We rubber banded like this for the next three or four laps. It was fun riding with new people and I had a lot of fun chatting with them on the long climbs.

About half way through the fourth lap I had pulled away from everyone I had been riding with, I kept waiting for them to catch me on a climb but they never came. I was pretty much alone the next 3 laps, except the occasional team rider that would tear by me. On the 6th lap all I could do was think about whether or not this would be my last time out on the course. I knew that it would be close time wise, but I decided to push myself and get there to do another lap.

I had just four minutes to spare when I went through the pits. Thankfully Bridget refilled a bottle for me, she even washed it off. I was back out on the course in no time. I was glad that I had ridden fast enough to do 7 laps but then it started to rain pretty hard and I was out in the open climbing. Maybe waiting behind the finish would of been a good idea, no, I would of been mad at myself later. I just kept pedaling and eventually I entered the single track and cover of the leaves, but the damage was done. The trails were officially sloppy, the single track become difficult because of the wet roots and rocks. The log crossings were even tougher. The rain eventually stopped and I spotted three riders that proved hard to catch until the last piece of single track I was able pass them. One of the guys eventually caught back up to me, passed me and pushed through the line in front me, he gave it hell and it payed off, it was so much fun to race to the finish. I finished 7 laps, about 64 miles, in about 6:45. I even felt pretty good, not too tired, and Mark greeted even greeted me at the finish line.

Mark finished 1st in his category even with a flat. Jason Hilimire finished 1st in his category and 2nd overall. I finished a lap a head of the other woman and I think that I did quite well in the men’s field. I don’t know for sure since the results have not been posted yet. I’ll let ya know when I know, I’m hoping for top ten, we’ll see.

The next day Mark and I meet up with Chad, and Chris, Eric and Dave of the The Land for a ride at Shindagin Hollow in Ithaca. It was an awesome ride, Cadence was getting to run and finally forgave us for leaving her in the house the whole day prior. It started fairly dry but of course it started raining. We still finished an amazing 23 mile ride in the rain and mud. We washed the dogs off in the creek and made our way back to the car just in time for the real down pour to start.

Mark and I our anxiously awaiting our new tent for out camping trip planned at Ellicottville. We’re meeting Chris and Eric there for a couple days of mountain biking, s’mores, fires, and other malarkey. Then Mark and I are following that up with a ride around Letchworth Gorge on the way home. It’s going to be a great time, I’ll fill you in when we get back. Until then enjoy the slide show…