To become a Dirt Cowboy

MG and I headed north to find out how competitive our fields were. As we expected MG needed to be a lady for the day and finish, that formality would earn him entry into the National event. My field wasn't so cut and dry; 19 of us were in the 30-39 Experts and therefore I needed to beat 4 other guys (ooh). Thinking ill thoughts, that could easily happen with mechanicals!

The start had a 'cross like grassy field to sort things out before entering only one tight area with an unstable wooden bridge wrapped with chicken wire. Within sight was the chicken coop. For the start I was perched like a precarious chicken myself; one leg up on pedals straddling the overbearing frame due to a slight camber in the field. We started via the ever-accurate pink timex watch the starter had and I jockeyed for 5th or 6th wheel headed into the shaded trail which led up and out to the continuous uphill road the Coyote Hill camp is situated on.

MG and I had previewed only this starting hill, it was a solid 1m30s climb with mostly packed dirt that would be grey grease if it were wet. Note: do not return if wet! There were a couple of sections with loose shale rock - just stay in the tire tracks and you're fine. From there I sat in and suffered with the rest of the group until we crested and entered the woods. Once the lead group hit the single track, they vanished. I was left wondering what the hell happened. A pre-ride might have been a good idea... I am not used to guys pulling away from me in descents. To my surprise the only place I could gain ground was on the ascents; a total flip from years past!

Once we got into the lower sections of the course my shifting and chain started to act up a little. Argg! I had to let a few guys pass me at that point. Nearing the end of the lap I was wondering where this was going. A bearded man with a big smile had a jingle going; little dips, short hills, roots and getter-done. Or something like that. As I passed him on Lap 2 he had two cups full of water Q: "Want to get wet?". A: No. Follow-up: I am now soaked in the chest. Oops he says.

me?
Is MG?
MR is in