The Ouachita race actually started in dry conditions for a change. However, the heat was going 
to take a toll on many riders later in the race due to the predicted temps to be in the mid 80's. The course took off in the same clockwise direction as last year. However, they had us take a left out of the school and then, another sharp left onto a very long flat paved road section. This had us hitting rolling dirt roads much later than last year. This was not a good mental and physical start for me on the singlespeed due to all the geared women (20 or so who registered) passing me. Seemed like forever but, we hit some rolling and sometimes steep dirt roads after probably 6 miles. I manage to pass 4 women on this section. "Easy" I told myself..."you know what's coming!"
to take a toll on many riders later in the race due to the predicted temps to be in the mid 80's. The course took off in the same clockwise direction as last year. However, they had us take a left out of the school and then, another sharp left onto a very long flat paved road section. This had us hitting rolling dirt roads much later than last year. This was not a good mental and physical start for me on the singlespeed due to all the geared women (20 or so who registered) passing me. Seemed like forever but, we hit some rolling and sometimes steep dirt roads after probably 6 miles. I manage to pass 4 women on this section. "Easy" I told myself..."you know what's coming!" 
Blowout Mountain was the next leg of the race and probably the most difficult climbing and technical wise. I saw Peat Henry (St. Louis knows him as Mr Free Awesome) standing along the trail fixing his 3rd flat. This guy rides a rigid singlespeed in a white button-down shirt and regular shorts. How does he do it? He is awesome! I stopped to loan him some tire levers and then, was on my way again. 
Once you painfully climb to the top of Blowout Mountain, it looks like a truck dumped huge round boulders all over the place. I can't even imagine how someone can ride over this. There was also a blazing fire near the top and was not a controlled burn. Volunteers were scattered all over trying to put it out and push dirt off the trail with their feet onto the fire to keep it from crossing the trail. You could feel the heat along your face and left side of your body as you rode past it. The fire truck arrived just as I came down the mountain to the aid station. I was still good on my 2 bottles but, found one of my bottle cages was about to come off. These were taken off 3 days before the race by a bike shop looking for a creaking sound in my bottom bracket. Guess they didn't put back on tight enough. After I tightened with my tools I was quickly on my way again. 5 minutes later my other bottle cage was coming off....gurrrr. I don't use camel backs so I survive on my 2 bottles. This could of been bad if I lost these bolts that hold them on and not to mention it's costing me race time. Lessened learned...check your bike yourself before a race! The next big section I remember was another paved road that headed south with a pretty strong headwind. I looked for folks to work with but, I was actually passing people on this section. I came into the aid station and found racers I knew such as Greg Schmidt, who was still 
going strong, and my husband, Todd, who had dealt with 3 flats by this point. Todd and I took off on the hilly gravel road section that eventually led us to the Womble. I kept up with him for awhile and then, he took off. Eventually, I caught him again on the bigger climbs on the Womble. He said he was cramping and to carry on. It was the heat of the day and there were many folks along the trail experiencing the same problem. This trail system is not as technical but, has some fast flowing sections and some significant climbs that your legs search for some extra hidden strength at the end of the day.
going strong, and my husband, Todd, who had dealt with 3 flats by this point. Todd and I took off on the hilly gravel road section that eventually led us to the Womble. I kept up with him for awhile and then, he took off. Eventually, I caught him again on the bigger climbs on the Womble. He said he was cramping and to carry on. It was the heat of the day and there were many folks along the trail experiencing the same problem. This trail system is not as technical but, has some fast flowing sections and some significant climbs that your legs search for some extra hidden strength at the end of the day.The course ended with another gravel road section which included this monster switchback climb up to the gentle rolling paved road to the finish.
This year, they decided to make us suffer through the finish line by making us climb up the grass field to cross the line. Of course, I won women's singlespeed due to being the only one in that division but, I did get 16th out of 28 singlespeed men who started (Only 18 finished) and only a few minutes (6-8 min) behind some of my local geared women competitors. I was 
happy about this since there was a significant amount of road for a singlespeeder and the 3 short stops for Peat (which I would do again in a heartbeat) and the bottle cages. Lets see how I stand up against the geared women on my singlespeed at Syllamo this year.
This year, they decided to make us suffer through the finish line by making us climb up the grass field to cross the line. Of course, I won women's singlespeed due to being the only one in that division but, I did get 16th out of 28 singlespeed men who started (Only 18 finished) and only a few minutes (6-8 min) behind some of my local geared women competitors. I was 
happy about this since there was a significant amount of road for a singlespeeder and the 3 short stops for Peat (which I would do again in a heartbeat) and the bottle cages. Lets see how I stand up against the geared women on my singlespeed at Syllamo this year.
