Today I raced in the 1st Annual Hollister Hills Mountain Bike Race.
The race was held in the Hollister Hills SVRA (State Vehicle Recreation Area). It’s a 4×4 and motocross park from what I can tell. The race course was very technical, with one brutal washed out gully full of rocks and potholes that put me over the handlebars twice! The uphill was challenging too, and many riders including me had to push their bikes in the steepest sections.
Despite it’s challenging nature the course was fun to ride, and my overall experience at my first mountain bike race was great. Saw some amazing riding, met lots of friendly people, talked about our adventures on the race course and opportunities for other races.
Here’s the best part: after I crossed the finish line I was riding slowly back to my car to collapse and have a cold drink, and I heard over the loudspeaker “you won your class, Robert.” Wow! I won my class! So that just topped it all off in a great way and now I have a medal to show my kids.
