Up and At 'Em

This weekend kicked off my 2008 racing campaign.

I headed North to Santa Ynez for the Stump Grinder Winter XC - held on the same course that will host the 2008 NMBS #3.

The race-mobile in all its glory.
I was too busy flogging myself to get any race / action pictures... sorry
A bone dry, dusty course + 2 deep stream crossings = heinous chain suck. I ended up riding for over an hour in the 44 x (insert #11 - 34 here), as it was the only gear free of the dreaded 'suck'. Oddly enough, i cleaned every climb without dabbing and the ol' legs never cramped (but came damn close).

Next time i'm using a generous amount of Dumonde Tech regular - despite the seemingly 'packed, dry course'. Stupid chains...
I narrowly escaped finishing 'DFL', riding in to 4th place (out of *ahem* 5 pro/semi's...) I even managed to take home some ka$h money. $7 dollars?! Sweet!!
Then it was down the coast to Isla Vista - home of UCSB, girls in Ugg boots/mini-skirts and Free Bird's.
Honestly, the best burritos i've ever had in my life were from Free Birds. Saturday was no exception.
Wes made sure to replenish the fluids and carbohydrates he lost whilst riding to victory in the expert race. (and don't worry - it's Hef, not Bud)
Then we made our way back down the beautiful Southern California coast. Not a bad way to cap off a solid day of racing.

Despite my mediocre finish and mechanical problems, Saturday's race got me fired up and ready for the 2008 season. Let the racing begin!