Welp, seems Novice class picked up a crapload of speed over Round 3 - while I was on my trip across North America. They were mostly all pulling 1:30s/1:31s... and I just got my 1:36 best back after a 2-month hiatus.
I placed 6th and 7th this weekend, while others were getting bumped up to amateur.
We put new rearsets and a new shock on the morning of my races, so I had 2 practices then I was straight into my first race. It was so cold, my visor was fogging up like crazy. I had to keep it 1/3 open, and the wind was getting in my eyes, then my nose was running, and snot was flying up onto my visor... It was crazy. Plus, my cold-tire-phobia didn't help much. But, I got to play cat and mouse with #33, and I'd never had so much fun in a race! Passing, being passed, then passing, then being passed... and JUST keeping the pass to beat him in the end... fantastic! I finally felt what I should have been feeling the entire time. There's no money in the wins, only a sense of pride and amusement. I got both.
The second race was warmer, and no fogging happened, but my lack of being on the track certainly showed. I was so tired by the end of it! But, even after flopping the bike back and forth, I still maintained consistent lap times of 1:36 - 1:38... no 1:30s, but it's pretty much picking up where I left off in June.
I'll be very happy if I can knock down to a 1:32 by the next, and last, round in September. I know where I can pull some extra seconds, and I know what I have to do.
http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2010/08/novice-thrills-at-cmra-round-4/ <-- article and video i'm in
