What was old is new again

Cowbell Challenge – Wow, those two words bring back some memories! It was at the 2003 Cowbell where I had what I consider my first “real” win at an endurance mountain bike race, taking the Solo Women 12-Hour Division by mere minutes. That race helped teach me how to dig down deep and find the inner strength and determination to achieve my goal, and luckily the race finished at a point when I had managed to gain a few minutes over second place!

At the 2004 Cowbell, I rode better than I think I ever did, despite the dreadful overwhelming southern summer heat. Unfortunately, my friend with whom I had carpooled down to the race took a nasty spill, requiring a trip to the hospital for x-rays. Of course, settling for second place in the Women’s Solo 12-Hour certainly wasn’t the end of the world for me, and most importantly I was glad that Matt was okay.

In 2005, I had the opportunity once again to race the Cowbell, this time partnered with one of my best bike buddies in the whole world. Sherri and I took second place, getting smoked by the first place Women’s 12-Hour Duo, but we had an amazing time, and incredibly enough, learned that our lap times were within about two minutes of one another for the entire 12 hours! So I guess we made a pretty great team!

Things took an ugly turn in 2006. Despite nagging knee problems which had kept me off the bike for most of that year and the previous autumn, I attempted once again to race the Cowbell. This time, I partnered with another bike friend for the Women’s 6-Hour Duo. We won simply because there were no other women in our category, but the intense pain and weakness in my right knee made it apparent that something would have to be done if I ever intended to really ride again.

So late in 2006, I had some extensive knee surgery done to repair significant damage to my right kneecap and surrounding structures. I was told the rehab would take a year or more and it is certainly on schedule to be at least that. However, here I am, about halfway through recovery – I hope – and I’m once again heading to the Cowbell. That race is like a siren’s call to me – I just can’t turn away. This time I’m teaming up with my husband to race as The Chicken Slicks in the Coed 6-Hour Duo, for two reasons:

1) To prove to myself that my race “career” isn’t over just yet. Even though I know I’m not competitive now – heck, I still can’t stand up and pedal – I need to know that I can still at least hang in there and ride.

2) Having a goal like doing this race that I love – no matter how “recreational” that racing may be for me this time – gives me the impetus to get up off my behind and back out there on the bike, strengthen that knee up and find the joy in biking that I had before once again.

I love this race, love the atmosphere, the promoters, the other racers, the spectators, the trail, the whole thing. I feel like a first time racer again and it's exciting, scary, thrilling! It’s my privilege to get to be here again and I’m eagerly looking forward to Saturday morning!