Geiger MTB Challenge

21 Aug

Well, half challenge as I am not the biggest marathons fan. As last year I’ve decided to race the short distance, a 50km track with around 1400hm. The course from Sibiu is pretty though because it has a long climb and a long descend.

After a 2 week holiday with my girlfriend, I wasn’t really ready for this race but I said that it can be a good training and I can finish for the 2nd year in a row these series (Brasov-Paltinis-Sibiu). As I couldn’t find a decently cheap accommodation I went with Marius M. in the race morning. I woke up at 5 a.m. which isn’t the usual stuff for me. Got on time at Sibiu, where Eli and Tudor already took our starting package.

The short rain before the race didn’t put a lot of troubles instead the start did. Last year the “elite” riders where separated by a car from the rest of the riders, this year it wasn’t the same so a lot of inexperienced riders came in the front and disaster struck: a few crashes, one was close to include me. Got in the woods where on the first single trail again: a lot of crashes…

I tried to find a steady pace that will get me to the top of the climb. From there on the fun began. Pretty difficult descend with a lot of singletrail, rocks, roots and a bit of slippery mud. I’ve crashed a bit but with small damages only.

The last 10km where almost flat but with a lot more slippery mud and big water holes. I tried to avoid them and kept my pace until the end, finishing 8th at Elite.

I am not really happy with the result but overall was a good training, my legs will feel better for the upcoming events (you will find out more soon). Otherwise if the organizers will fix the “start” and will make sure that some junctions will be better marked next year, would be better.