Back in Phoenix

Home sweet home! I just got back from Sierra Vista where I spend the weekend with my girlfriend and some friends. It was very relaxing and we had a good time but after driving back for three hours it feels good to be back home (and it's warmer here in Phoenix too).

I also kicked off my racing season on Saturday with the McDowell Meltdown, the first mountain bike race of the Arizona Championship Points Series. It was my first mtb race here in Arizona and I must say I had a blast. The organization was good (even though not quite as smooth as what I'm used to from Texas) and we raced a nicely groomed, screaming fast track on the outskirts of Fountain Hills; as a matter of fact, it was the same course as the NORBA Nationals, which will return to the venue in April. As this was the first race of the season, a huge field showed up and I found myself lined up with at least 20 to 30 other racers in the Pro/ Semi-Pro class... and everyone wanted to get into the trail first. After the initial chaos, I soon found myself in a four man lead group. As the lap count increased, the group dwindled down to three, then to two, and with one lap to go I stepped on it on one of the climbs and dropped the last one too. So, in short, it was a perfect way to start of the new season.

Next weekend I hope to head up for Vegas for a three day stage race. We will see, Vegas being what it is, I might as well stay a day longer and enjoy the city... I'll keep you posted.