My Sea Otter weekend began on Friday after a 2.5 hour drive from the North
Bay. I picked up my packet and camping pass then headed off to get a little
overpriced food. While in line for food I bump into Peter with his wife and
kid. After that it's off to camp. I see Kathleen, Patrick, Isaias, Mo and
a few others. Then it on to the pre-ride, which was my long mountain ride
so far this year...scary! Actually feel really good during the pre-ride,
especially considering the lack of riding. Friday night it hanging around
the campfire, thank Isaias and Mo for picking up that burrito for me!

Wake up Saturday and the weather looks threatening...Head to the expo with
Dan and Kathleen. Stop by the Bella and Roaring Mouse booths and say hi to
friends...starts to rain....continues to get worse...head back to
camp...take shelter to my jeep for awhile and take nap then watch DVD...THe
SUCK FACTOR is HIGH right about then. Later rain stops but here comes the
wind. Realize I'd sleep better in my jeep, rearrange things to make that
happen. Go back to expo run into Peter, Doug, Allen and Mike U get free
beer...beer good! Back to camp and a good but windy dinner. Thanks for all
who put it together. Pass the hell out early in my nice warm quite jeep.

Sunday...race day...get up early but take my time getting ready...racing
clydesdale...Leave for a last minute warm up...get down to track and realize
forgot my timer chip...race back up to camp get it and make it to the start
line with 45 seconds to spare! Then it off and racing...if you can call it
that. I feel pretty good actually and going faster then my pre-ride. The
rain mostly helped the course. I'm having fun and enjoying a fast ride at
least for me. Checking my time I'm on pace to beat my goal of 2:20. Before
you know it I'm on the last climb and then heading down the track to the
finish line. My time 2:15:47 33/38, if I had raced my age group 35-39 would
have been 95/103. Room for improve yes...did I have fun...yes...Look
forward to more races...hell yes. Signed up for Downieville today...

Matt