refreshing!

One good reason for a biker to join a mtbike race is to measure how well you can handle fitness and your mountain biking skills. A novice racer normally thinks of joining races for very simple reasons. It could be that he wants to have the event jersey, or got invited by biking buddies, or just simply try out the fun and pressure in it. He does not desire the 1st place and just by finishing the whole course is an achievement and plus experience.

A bike club here in Cagayan de Oro, had their 18th COMBAT Mountain Bike Competition last Sunday August 30. COMBAT is one of the pioneering bike clubs in the country. They are known to hold different races from cross-country mountain biking to extreme downhill bike race.

race route map

Starting point near Concentrix

I invited Rob to join us to witness the race and introduced him to the ATTACK group as we drove our way to the race starting line near Concentrix (formerly Link2Support) and SM Mall. Two of our klub buddies, Jomar and Khokitz were there to participate on the event. We were there to cheer for them. There were different funny conversations and while looking around I saw familiar faces too.

May kinabahan, mayroon din na di mapakali. May iba na excite, may bike na biglang na-busted. May tumatawa pero mas marami yata ang nakasimangot. Si haring araw oh.. Mainit na!

The race started around 9AM.

Preparation: Just make sure your bike is in good condition and particularly the gear worked well. Don’t worry about all that suspension and dual hydraulic disk brakes that everyone else has. Even off-road, lightness is king. [Source]

The group followed the first batch of riders (probably they’re in a touring category) as they split from us as when they turned right from the main road to the first part of the trail going to House of Hope.

steep curve corner waiting

We stayed inside the race trail mismo somewhere in Haway. We waited on the second to the last ascent knowingly that this is one of the challenging parts where a rider pushed himself really hard up to a rough rocky steep curve and refreshing ‘em up with cold water will cool them until the last ascent in Cabula finish line. Even if our klub buddies didn’t make it on top 3 as Jomar claimed the top 7 while Khokitz as finisher, nothing compares to the priceless support from family and friends.

Sa mga talunan, the race it isn’t about winning. To the champions, sus chamba!! Hehehe kidding!

Seriously, nothing compares to the experience of a race where fun, excitement and pressure is felt all at the same time. I remember the first time I joined a circuit mountain bike race last year with my buddy Matt, the tension somehow is incomparable to the tiredness after a long ride. A feeling that triggers the guts in you and when you’re there, you’re actually not racing with the other bikers but rather with yourself. You are competing against your fears, apprehensions, physical limits, and mental capabilities to prove that you can be better. The real winner is the one who tries and when he fails, gets up and do his pace, willing to finish the race.

ATTACK Madness Mountain 10, this coming November!