Event: Iron Hill Challenge

Name: Cassandra Ramirez

City: Newark

State/Province: Delaware

Country: USA

Age: 35

Place: 1st

Category: Sport

CLASS +/or Age group: 35+

Team: Wooden Wheels

XC Race Bike: A Cannondale Lefty that I Borrowed

Tires: Yes. It would be difficult to ride without them, I think ...

Conditions: Of my gut, pre-race? Oy vey. Xtra Rumbly.

Email: puddincat@aol.com

How was your fitness level going into this race?

This is sort of a follow up on my Fair Hill Fiasco: Well, once again, same as it was before Fair Hill race: pretty decent for a roadie. However, I have noticed a disturbing change in the hue of my skin since i started mtn biking: a distinctive blotchy pattern of black-n-blue-purplish now adorns my tanned skin. In addition, days-old 'dirtmudthings' s, at most inappropriate moments, esp. in key meetings with VPs at work. Bit embarrassing ...

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

I was! I was SO happy to be upright, actually pedaling, and moving FORWARD on the singletrack... not DOWN INTO it.... I've come to the conclusion that mud-wrestling prickly bushes to the side of the race coursetrack is best left to WWF professionals.

Were you strong from start to finish?

Well, my gut was stronger than I anticipated. As i mentioned before, the Xtremely Fluttering Gut-itude was disconcerting at the line .... i admit: I was just slightly concerned about involuntary bodily functions. While sitting at the start line, I had a nice internal monologue in which I debated the pros and cons of racing with/w/out a Depends undergarment under my chamois. Ultimately, I opted against the Depend garment due to breathability and 'squishy-squishy' noise factor issues. Alas, the PortaLet DID beckon softly from the hill ...

When did you put the hammer down?

I had one nice self-inflicted Endo-hammer: I was playing like I was Mary Lou Retton on one of the askewey logs on Fuzzy's Trail. I got nice abrasion on left thigh, handlebar thru right thigh, I got NO standing ovation and no '10's, and quickly decided to mount my bike and forget any Olympic dreams of making the US MtnBikeGymnastics squad ...

Did you have any unusual problems?

Well, yes, but I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for discussing my personality disorders.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Course was superbly marked. In fact, Thrice I descended the 'whoop-dee-doo-to-sharp-left"; Thrice I ran into/ knocked down the 'LEFT' pointing arrow sign; and Thrice did the course marshals patiently plod DOWN that hill to return arrow to its proper resting-and-pointing spot.

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

I think my exchange with THE LOG on Fuzzy's trail was exciting enough for one day ...

Anything you would like to add?

Again, as a newbie to the sport and experienced roadie, I have re-learned how to spell the word "RESPECT"... and it's spelled "D-I-R-T". It's inspiring to be surrounded by so much damn courage at these events. To my Wooden Wheels teammates ... I can't thank you enough. You are all an inspiration to me.