martytime

I posted a few days ago "what's a race like?". I ended up racing, and wrote up my first race experience here:

https://martytime.com/stuff

Thx for all the advice and encouragement!

Kendeathwalker

I enjoyed your ride report

mtnbiker66

Outstanding report! That was a great read. I really think you should consider taking up outdoor sports based creative writing. Awesome job on your first race.

born2bahick

Great read! I raced my first race in tennies and basketball shorts too!

Ka_Jun

Dude, hilarious ride report! Death gasp...hahahaha...awesome. I rode my first race last month. I ate it in front of everyone at the finish line. Yay me!

dminor 

Great telling! Boy, what a flood of memories that brings back. Good job.

Ted Danson

Reminds me of the first time my dad and I went to a nice mountain biking park. We had 10 dollar helmets, no gloves, tennis shoes, kaki shorts, a backpack with 1 water bottle and some freetos and wally world bikes. Everyone looked at us so weird. I don't care though it was so fun.

junkyard

Sweet. Glad you had a good time.

Sounds like the only race I've ever done. Except, in my case, friend #1 sprinted out from the start and I later passed him as he was vomiting on the trail. I also received the encouragement from fellow riders... the best was the guy who looked like Ben & Jerry combined into one person.

martytime

ROFL! Everyone's gotta get started somehow, right?! And you just gotta love dads ... building memories one by one -- by dragging their kids into embarrassing situations.

I've got a two-year old, and I'm already planning my scarring "memories". He's screwed.

Thanks for all the positive feedback!

prhey404

OMG! I loved your blog! I felt the same way on my last race. Not sure if you want to do it, then say "What the heck!" and just do it! So many ups and downs, just to share on the "girl" part:

I really thought I was chasing another girl. Then I got closer and closer, and I finally realized, it was a KID!!! Must have been like 10-12 years old. I mean, DOING IT. I only finally passed him cause he was younger but never knew till I got up close! I really respect the young guns cause I am starting pretty late, 26, but neways they are really dedicated!

To relate, I race on running shoes on flats with spikes right now, comfortable most right now with that, too afraid of "clip-ins" and really breaking something that is not meant to break purposely (lol)!

I also agree with an earlier response to you, your writing is great. Keep it up and light, so enjoying and motivating to read!

The tales of your ups and downs and highs and lows are great. Really puts a voice to the thoughts in your head in the heat of the moment. Keep posting, I will read!

lanfarm

If everyone wears basketball shorts on their first ride, imagine Pcad, wearing those vintage shorts that go to your mid thigh...eeshh

Ted Danson

Lol this is very true. I hope I can be half as good of a dad as mine was to me. Never spoiled me, was always hard, got me to do things without telling me to, but made sure I had a million and one memories to hold with me forever.