Santa Ynez mtb race

OK like before never been to Los Olivos which is where the Santa Ynez valley classic race is. The drive was going to be around 4:30 hours to get that's far for a 1:30hr long mtb race, but this was going to be my third race in the series and another podium would be great.
We got up there mid day and went to the motel, checked in then went to the race course to pre-run it, after all the racing was done the course was open. I did a easy first lap at around 50 minutes, well the course was long about 9.5 miles lots of hills and super bumpy. Oh and it was also pretty cool under 60 at 5pm, I went for my second lap a little faster 45 or so minutes the course easy to learn and the rest were hill so no need for any more laps.

Sunday morning it look like it was going to rain, had an early breakfast at paulas pancake house in Solvang. Got to the race at around 10am, same procedure pay and registration, Sunday was much colder around 45 or so and it didn't look like it was going to climb much also the rain was in the wings too. Also at around 10am the wind started to pickup and people left, by the time 11:30am came around it was a full Santa Ana, to say it suck, would be the understatement of the year. So happy to finish the race in one piece, the wind blew a couple of guys of their bikes and at least three tents.

11am came decision time what to wear, rain stuff, jacket all kind of warmers or risk it and see what happens. I went for the what happen, with arm warmers and leg warmers.
The race started and I just took off, since all the cat2 start almost together my goal was to finish in front of all of them. When the second big climb came my back started to get tight, and anyone that pedals will tell you that when the back goes the legs go. I still finished the first and my two laps in front of everyone, but I had a shadow(that's) what my dad calls anyone right behind you. I held the front all but the last 3 miles when my back just gave out so I lost 3 minutes on the back and came in second overall. I think it was all the bumps on the course and the big pushing that did it.
I won by 15 minutes or so, the cup is a lot closer three races and three first places. So if everything keeps going like it is the cup will be mine. I also got the invite to the mtb national championship in Colorado, in July. Yes we are going.

Next stop big bear may 16.

Fontana mtb race

Like all my other mtb races I never been to Fontana, so my dad and I drove there Friday afternoon to pre-run the course. We got there and it was packed, it was getting dark so I got ready and did my first lap, easy 29 minute lap, second lap a couple of minutes faster and the third and final lap about 24 minutes or so.

I felt like I was coming down with something, a head cold or a like. Drove back down to San Diego. Saturday I rested I'm trying different things out to see which works out better on race day.

Sunday we left at around 8am, got up there paid and got registered but I didn't feel 100%. Got some H2O drinks from my sponsor tent and waited for the 11:30am start time.
I stared to do my warm up at around 11am and saw some of the same guys from Sagebrush.

The start time came and we were off, I went to the front and that was pretty much it, except I was coughing up a lung, really bad loud and dry. Nobody was pushing me at all so I was a good day to be a little beat up. I won by like 9 minutes after the race I took advantage of the mavic truck, I took my bike in to get a busted spoke fixed, they fixed two free of charge, that's the cool about big races.

So that makes it two races and two first places, so now I start to think about the so cal cup and the kenda cup. I feel that I'm finally improving, even with the sinus problems an a cold here and there I'm 1000% better than last year.

Next stop Santa Ynez ca April 10-11.