Race 2 – 2011 Charlotte Winter Short Track Series

ByMike Byrd

This past Sunday was the second race of the Charlotte Mountain Bike Winter Series. I was hoping for a better result than I had the  previous weekend. The weather was colder but it was dry (finally) all week. I got to the course around 10 to watch Lexi (Jasen Taylor’s  little girl) while he raced. Watching them race got me a little excited to get going and the good news is that the riders were staying  dry and mud free.

I warmed up for about 10 minutes and I lined up on the front row. I don’t know why I do this because my plan is to always take it easy  for a lap or two. And I have a hard time getting myself to warm up. Maybe I should work on that.

The mountain bike race started and I followed one guy who just nailed it. I tried to stay calm and just stay close to him before we entered the woods.  I managed to get into the woods in second place and slightly recovered I the single track. Exiting the single track wasn’t so easy. I  immediately lost 3 places as I tried to find a rhythm.

The good news was that I was with Sonny and TJ, both teammates on the Giordana-Clif-Bar-Brica team. Sonny was running strong and TJ was  on his cross bike. We spent 3 or 4 laps working together with me or Sonny leading through the singletrack and TJ crushing it on the  pavement. I was working way too hard keeping up with TJ and eventually he and Sonny pulled away.

I struggled for a lap as I recovered and my legs seemed to come around. I managed to catch Sonny, who had been dropped by TJ and the guy  in 3rd place, and started running at my own pace. Unfortunately, Sonny couldn’t stay with me. I could tell that I was slowly getting  closer to TJ and the guy in 3rd place at the turn around.

But, with my lack of fitness I started struggling. The last two laps were hard. I lost distance to 2nd and 3rd place and was able to hang  on for 4th. I may have dropped a place, but I think the 5:30AM training classes at Cool Breeze are helping. Now I just need to get some  training in. Glad the real season doesn’t start until April.

The Bike Racer

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the Internet. My name is Mike Byrd and this is my website. I enjoy sports, being outside, new challenges, marketing and anything that comes my way. I am the author of the blog posts on thebikeracer.com. I enjoy writing about cycling, poiltics, coffee and anything else that fits in the "My World" category. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to say up to date on anything new that gets posted to thebikeracer.com.

Similar Posts

Race 3 – 2011 North Mecklenburg Cyclocross Series

Race 3 – 2011 North Mecklenburg Cyclocross Series

ByMike Byrd

Proper cyclocross weather finally came to the Carolinas for the last round of the North Meck Cyclocross Series on Tuesday night. Racers were challenged with a wet, windy course and temperatures in the high 30’s.  Afternoon rain tapered off before registration opened, but the course got slick and muddy as the night went on.  Promoter Neal Boyd setup a slightly less technical course for the conditions, and DeFeet provided some nice prizes for the final round podium finishers.

2012 NODA Criterium

2012 NODA Criterium

ByMike Byrd

April 15, 2012 was the inaugural NODA Criterium held in NODA (North Davidson) in Charlotte, NC.  Since I had raced the Dillworth Criterium the day before, I slept in and did somethings around the house before heading down to NODA.

I arrived about 45 minutes before my race, got dressed and found Mike Levine of Mills-Levine.  We warmed up for about 20 minutes.  MIke had raced the 4/5 race and was going to race the 3/4 race.  This would be our first chance to race together.  The course in NODA is super fun.  it has 6 turns and is a fast course with a long uphill drag on the back of the course.

Snowshoe Village Report on December 18, 2023. Right before the first big storm of the year!
| |

Snowshoe Village Report on December 18, 2023. Right before the first big storm of the year!

Bybikeraceradmin

This is our ‘Village Report’ because we couldn’t go skiing – the weather was crazy at Snowshoe village in West Virginia. As you can see, the wind was howling (not unusual for Snowshoe) and raining. The good news is that the wind and rain left overnight and allowed us a good day of skiing on Tuesday, December 19th.

2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships – Day 2

2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships – Day 2

ByMike Byrd

Today (6/21/12) was Day 2 of our trip to the 2012 Elite, U23, Juniors & Paralympic Road National Championships.  Today’s event was the Time Trial National Championship.

Chester and I didn’t start until 3:15 so we were able to sleep in – until about 7:15…which was late for me.  We got up and had breakfast, ran an errand and then came back to the hotel room.  Our plan was to stay cool, get hydrated and then to get to the venue around 1pm to get our race numbers, check out the start and warm up.

Snowy Weekend at Snowshoe: Discovering the Perfect Ski Conditions | Ski Vlog 2023
| |

Snowy Weekend at Snowshoe: Discovering the Perfect Ski Conditions | Ski Vlog 2023

ByMike Byrd

Embark on our snowy adventure at Snowshoe Ski Resort. This vlog captures our second visit of the season, filled with the thrill of skiing and serene winter landscapes. We start by picking up Kim’s new skis at Snowcreek Mountain Sports, warming up with night skiing. Despite mixed forecasts, we find joy in the simple things – from ice cream treats to fresh, fluffy snow at Silvercreek. Experience with us the excitement of discovering perfect ski conditions and the anticipation of more snowy escapades. It’s a glimpse into the joys of winter sports and the beauty of Snowshoe’s slopes.