I was rummaging through some old photos in the weekend and found a photo from one of the first mountainbiking races I did back in 2005. I'd just started going on the occasional MTB ride then, and was roped into riding for one of the R&R Sport social teams for the 2005 Naseby 12 Hour MTB race. I ended up doing maybe two or three laps, and it wasn't a particularly fun experience. I was passed so often (which I found rather scary on such narrow singletrack) and had to push up all of the uphills.
Fast forward three years to the 2008 Day Night Thriller and a lot of things have changed...
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For one, I'm now a bit lighter (OK, a whole XC-bike-weight lighter really!) and have gained some fitness and a little bit more technical ability. I'm on another Santa Cruz bicycle (although I still have the white Heckler from the first photo). And while I had a great time at the Day Nighter, I have not forgotten what it was like at my first race, and tried to pass courteously and also pass on a few words of support for those who looked like they were feeling the way I did in my first race.
It's quite cool looking back and seeing how much progress I've made since I first started. It also gives me hope for the future. I mean, if this is what three years of mountainbiking can do to me, I'm definitely looking forward to what the next three years holds! :)
PS: For those who looked closely at the photos, they might've noticed that I'm still wearing the same shoes! Pearl Izumi Vagabond M1s rock my world. But yeah.. I really do need some new shoes now..
2 comments:
Great post Celia. You've come so far in a short space of time. I'll be happy if I can make 1/2 the progress you've made in the same time. You rock.
Hey Celia,
Looks like you are having fun.
sarah
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