So as I posted earlier, I’ve really been getting into biking recently. I found some awesome trails around here with miles of rocking singletrack. As my adrenaline rush self has ridden more and more, the natural progression was “I wonder if people around here race these things”. Well, sure as hell the answer is “YES”. Mountain bike racing happens starting in about Feb/March through Aug/Sept. These are 10-20 mile single/double track races. Should be pretty grouling considering that I get pretty tired about a 6-8 mile fast ride, but by the time Feb/March get here, I should be in better shape.
So for over the winter, “Cross Cycle” racing seems to take over. This is bike racing around a 7 or 8 minute lap course for 30 minutes. The catch is the course has some pavement, regular crass, as well as crazy mud or sand crossings, some SERIOUS uphills where you have to carry your bike, and also obstacles over which you can’t ride over. With that, you are getting on and off your bike a few times per lap and carrying it over or up the obstacles. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to try it. Unfortunately there is only 1 race left this year in the Georgia Cyclecross Racing series this year. Fortunately its on Dec 6th and according to some of the forums I’ve read its the “if you attend one cross race a year, attend this one.” I’ve tried one “training session” so far, and it kicked my butt. Did 30 minutes around the neighborhood and varied my terrain from mud to pavement, along with some getting on and off the bike. Whew! http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=424783 We’ll see if I get the balls to go to the race, but I think I’m going to try. I’m just worried about getting there and getting super embarassed as I’m still not in “go hard for 30 minutes” shape. Maybe I should wait?
This coming up weekend though, I’m going to do a little birthday partying, and then after head up to the Pinhoti mountain bike trails. There are 18 miles of great trails up in the mountains and should also be a great area to take Zoey for a great hike. I’ll take my iPhone along and do some GPS mapping as well. We’ll see how much/far I can go 
Try warming up more. Also Cross is more about being fluid on and off the bike and bike handling. Just go do it and get dirty. If you were in Raleigh you could borrow my cross bike.