Fat Tire Frenzy

Falling Creek Park, Bedford, VA
Saturday June 16, 2012
by: Paula Schimizzi

I was looking forward to this race because it's the perfect course for a single speed. Each lap is approximately 8 miles and is fast, somewhat twisty, turny, bermed, rocky, rooty, & fun. You are on the gas the entire time.I was the only chicky singlespeeder. First lap was slow due to lots of traffic b/c the entire male sport field started w/ the single speeders. I finally got settled in halfway through the first lap. My second lap was much quicker now that the traffic was spread out on course. I was gaining ground on a couple of the singlespeed men and passing some of the sport men. On the longest climb, I passed a male sport rider and he could not comprehend the notion of climbing with just one gear, let alone getting passed by a girl!! As I continued along, I soon came to the section of trail known as slickrock. My first lap I walked this section. It crosses through a creek with larger rocks strewn mainly on the right side. I could not read the line so I opted to walk the second lap as well. I took the same line as I did on my first lap. I did not fare as well this time. I had my bike on my left side & was standing on one of the rocks. As I started through, I lost my footing & down I went, superman style while still holding the bike. The next thing I knew I was in writhing pain with my shoulder out of it's socket. I tried to get it back in, but it was not happening. A couple racers stopped to assist as best as they could. I was a hysterical mess!Unfortunately the nearest rescue squad was on a call 45 min out.got word to my hubby who was still racing& a friend of mine who had dnf'd due to a crash. My shoulder had been out for over an hour. Not Fun!! They transported me to the ER and after lots of morphine, the doc got the shoulder back in. UGH My race season is over. Such a bummer. Now my focus will be on the rehab & learning to ride that section next year. In the meantime I'll cheer for my better half as he continues his race season.