NICA Eastern Junior Mountain Bike Regionals Recap

Race day legs felt perfect warmup was mint and overall felt optimistic. Staged like 15th with some ground to make up (we'll coma back to this). They sound the start horn and we shoot off crazy fast and I'm clipped in and making up time immediately.

Then about 5 seconds in got body checked from the left and slam into the ground. I remember getting hit from behind on the ground but thankfully I wasnt injured only my bars were torqued about 30 degrees right. I didn't notice till well after I got back up and just dealt with it for a while.

A rough start: body-checked, slammed down, bars misaligned. Still finished strong.

I had caught back into the back by the single track and was making up some time. Then tried to pass again and ended up yet again on the ground... Got up and rode away before realizing I had lost my wahoo and bottle and by that point I was done with racing so I ran back and picked them up before straightening my bars.

Flying through the trees.

After this it was full gas through the pack and I was flying the whole time but just didnt have enough to get on the podium. Ending in 8th I was destroyed knowing how much more it couldve been but on the other hand I wouldn't have ever expected to be in 8th just 6 months ago.

Because NICA events, especially regionals, gather large numbers of student-athletes, riders in different categories and divisions (e.g., Varsity, JV1, JV2, JV3 for boys and girls) do not all start simultaneously. Student athletes, like Nathan are glued to the results page until all waves are in.

Reflecting on the whole year this race perfectly represents how it went. Start optimistic then everything crashes down with svt, then began recovering and was nearly at my goal of a win but just out of reach in the end.

In less than 6 months, Nathan went from a wheelchair at the hospital pot SVT surgery to top 10 at Regionals. AMAZING. Of course, all the 3CR team was there to escort him out

This year was a rollercoaster and without @3_cats_racing I doubt I would be here where I am now and I'm eternal thankful for everyone who is a part of the team. I have made so many lifelong memories and had the most fun ever on a bike this year and I cant wait for the next.

Thanks to my parents for supporting me in this chaotic sport I choose and everyone who cheers for me it's an incredible feeling knowing how many people have my back. @3_cats_racing 123 in the spring?

Eyewear: @tifosioptics, https://tifosioptics.com

📷: @3catsphoto

Coaching: @daddyaardvark

Best bike shop ever: @blueridgecyclery (I raced the owners bike at Woodberry)

Virginia NICA - Junior Mountain Bike League