Elite stands for speed, not distance

Elite doesn't mean big distance, it means fast.

May 18th, 2014

First mt bike race of the season: Weeping Willow at Willowdale forest in Ipswich Ma (https://www.bikereg.com/the-weeping-willow-efta-necs3).  This race was put on by EFTA and was my first XC race of the 2014 season.  Being used to long distance and endurance events I naturally signed up for as much distance as I could find, which happened to be the elite's 24 miles (8 mile laps). 

I thought to myself, "oh, it must be called "Elite" because of the distance, because it's the only option for 24 miles."  However, when I showed up to the race I realized why it was called Elite.

The "Elite" racers were called forward at the start, so I strolled on up to the front of the line.  I took a look around and only saw skinny, sinewy, nervous, muscle-twitching thoroughbred racers on steads of carbon fiber that were as sinewy as they were and immediately thought to myself, "uh oh." 

Every racer there wore European one piece shorts and had their jersey pockets bulging so that the bike wouldn't be bogged down by extra weight.  I was the only one wearing fox cargo shorts: they might as well have been jean shorts.  With serious looks on their faces: no one was talking at all; except for me. 

I turned to the guy next to me and said, "yeah this is my first race of the season, so I'm gonna take it easy today."  He replied with, "Yeah, me too."  I never saw him again.

As soon as the race started these guys took off.  I mean literally blew me away.  I realized then why my race was called "Elite".  These guys finished 3 laps in 2 hours, whereas I finished in 3.  I did finish, although I was last, and had to find the time keeper (who was packing up) to let him know that I was the last finisher. 

If I cared about that kind of stuff I would have been annoyed, but I was just happy to get out and ride a place I had many first experiences on the trail running circuit (first off road marathon and first 50 mile ultra-marathon).  So my race was filled with memories of November's past and the camaraderie and racing friends I had encountered in those events.

The course was great.  Very smooth and very fast.  No super climbs or technical sections, but a lot of tight turns and narrow passageways.  I had a lot of fun and committed to finishing a race that I was certainly out skilled on.  I was a little embarrassed to have signed up in such a hard core class, but I paid good money to race and by damned I was going to finish with my head held high.  Besides, no one can ever accuse me of sand bagging!