Robin Laughlin

Yes, racing is supposed to be hard. The 5 races I've done this year all had different kinds of hard. Hard sustained climbs, tricky mud sections, long laps, parts I can't ride, etc. But that variety keeps it fun, at least for me. At firecracker some of us sport Ws were lapped by the fastest of the sport men we would have been pulled at 2 anyway. After such a fun joyride on the downhill it just may have been worth another climb! Personally, I enjoyed the more challenging terrain, don't get me wrong I still stink at climbing but that downhill was sweet!

As to why so few women...I think we just need to spread the word on how much fun it is. I would not have made it to my first MTB race had it not been for my female teammates encouraging me. Now that I'm in I am hooked! I am lucky to have super teamies, men and women, to carpool and hang with at the races.

Some female CCX racers I've talked to are worried about being out there alone and getting lost. As course markings get better every year perhaps this fear will dissolve and we'll get more out there. I don't buy the "too hard" bit as I have yet to hear of any racing in Oregon that's not hard.

PS - beautiful marking job at firecracker - i never had to think about it, thanks!