You mean I have to pedal?

After our experience racing mountain cross in Nathrop, I got the idea to join some of my teammates at the local BMX track on Sunday. I wanted to improve on my mountain cross riding, but things are a little different without the help of gravity. As in, there's a lot more pedalling involved. I rode Ingrid in the “cruiser” category, which is for bikes with wheels 24 inches or larger in diameter. Our category was small, but the racing was a lot of fun. But it was also exhausting. I was out there with our downhill guys, and when I’d come in panting after a run, they’d just look at me. You know, that “I thought you were in shape look” — funny, I thought I was in shape too. BMX kills you, because it’s about a minute of all out pedaling and working the bike for all you’re worth. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it, but to give you an idea try mixing mountaincross style riding skills with the way you feel when you’re sprinting for a prime in a criterium. I realize that I’m one of the few riders who actually have experienced both of those things, but that’s kind of the point. Anyhow, I came home with a second place trophy and a bit more confidence in my riding. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon, especially when the alternative was hitting the books. Which kind of reminds me what I’m supposed to be doing right now…