Pole to Pole in the 2005 Single Speed Worlds
My heart was fluttering. Legs twitching. I couldn't settle the butterflies.
Pre race jitters. A World Championship was on the line.
Before big downhill races, I used to get nervous, but I never imagined that I would be so anxious before a single speed race.
You would think that if you put in the training, do the miles, grind up big hills with tall gears, you’d be all set.
But I had to get the pole position for this one. I needed the pole shot to take the title.
For this year’s annual Single Speed World Championship, 500 riders had gathered in a bunch, wondering where the Le Mans start would take us. Little did we know we were to run almost a mile, on a technical single track even, to jump on our bikes for the first leg of the race. But we did know this one loop course was going to be a rocky mine field of shale with thousands of feet of stiff climbing. With all of our bikes stuck in one gear.
I wasn’t worried about any of that. I just wanted to get in the top ten, although first would be nice for prosperity. The race basically went well on my 32x18 geared Santa Cruz. Despite a long flat-tire change, I managed a respectable third.
I had made it!
I’d qualified for the go-kart finals! Our three hours of tortuous one-speeding was essentially a qualifier for these twelve hot laps.
The male and female winners of the go-kart race would be crowned the Single Speed World Champion with a freshly inked tattoo. After watching a few rounds of the men’s go-kart qualifiers, I knew that the key to winning the title was the pole position, Each go-kart was equally as slow than the next, so passing would be problematic.
Lining up for the start...
But to get the pole position, I had to score the pole position.
It would be another LeMans scramble to the go karts, so the pole position again would be critical. If I could politely slide myself to the front of the girls’ line, I hoped I could easily out-sprint my competition to the preferred cart on the inside front line. The Number 12 cart had the pole position. I had to get…that…kart!
My heart was beating so loudly I thought the winner of the women’s race, Abigail Hippely, would hear. But, while she was distracted by a spectator. I seized the opportunity to slide my butt up onto the horizontal pole that keeps the finalists organized in line. While smiling and nodding to someone, I slid back down in the number one position up against the pole. The sprint to the karts was mine.
The second I jumped into that hot plastic seat, I knew I had a good chance to win the World Champs. The butterflies flew out of my belly, but my heart was still racing. All I had to do was get the holeshot and block the inside lines.
And, that I did. For twelve laps.
I had found victory in one decisive moment. And now my heart is no longer fluttering, but my right biceps is tingling.
Marla shows off her new tattoo.
*Note I will post the results of the bike leg and the SSWC finals as soon as I can find them!
Pre race jitters. A World Championship was on the line.
Before big downhill races, I used to get nervous, but I never imagined that I would be so anxious before a single speed race.
You would think that if you put in the training, do the miles, grind up big hills with tall gears, you’d be all set.
But I had to get the pole position for this one. I needed the pole shot to take the title.
For this year’s annual Single Speed World Championship, 500 riders had gathered in a bunch, wondering where the Le Mans start would take us. Little did we know we were to run almost a mile, on a technical single track even, to jump on our bikes for the first leg of the race. But we did know this one loop course was going to be a rocky mine field of shale with thousands of feet of stiff climbing. With all of our bikes stuck in one gear.
I wasn’t worried about any of that. I just wanted to get in the top ten, although first would be nice for prosperity. The race basically went well on my 32x18 geared Santa Cruz. Despite a long flat-tire change, I managed a respectable third.
I had made it!
I’d qualified for the go-kart finals! Our three hours of tortuous one-speeding was essentially a qualifier for these twelve hot laps.
The male and female winners of the go-kart race would be crowned the Single Speed World Champion with a freshly inked tattoo. After watching a few rounds of the men’s go-kart qualifiers, I knew that the key to winning the title was the pole position, Each go-kart was equally as slow than the next, so passing would be problematic.
Lining up for the start...
But to get the pole position, I had to score the pole position.
It would be another LeMans scramble to the go karts, so the pole position again would be critical. If I could politely slide myself to the front of the girls’ line, I hoped I could easily out-sprint my competition to the preferred cart on the inside front line. The Number 12 cart had the pole position. I had to get…that…kart!
My heart was beating so loudly I thought the winner of the women’s race, Abigail Hippely, would hear. But, while she was distracted by a spectator. I seized the opportunity to slide my butt up onto the horizontal pole that keeps the finalists organized in line. While smiling and nodding to someone, I slid back down in the number one position up against the pole. The sprint to the karts was mine.
The second I jumped into that hot plastic seat, I knew I had a good chance to win the World Champs. The butterflies flew out of my belly, but my heart was still racing. All I had to do was get the holeshot and block the inside lines.
And, that I did. For twelve laps.
I had found victory in one decisive moment. And now my heart is no longer fluttering, but my right biceps is tingling.
Marla shows off her new tattoo.
*Note I will post the results of the bike leg and the SSWC finals as soon as I can find them!
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12 Comments:
Marla, oh my God, now you have TWO tattoos from singlespeeding! Congratulations on the qualifying amd tje win!!!! Wow, how do you feel having that big ol' tattoo on your bicep? What did Mark say?
mark coerced me into putting the thing on my arm!
Marla
Congrats on winning the sswc!
I was one of those orange-shirted course marshalls there at the first bailout point seven miles into it. I had a great time watching everyone try their luck with the rock garden there. The best riders seemed to float right over the rocks. I took a lot of pictures, and just realized one shows you navigating the bumps with ease. Now all I need to do is figure out who the people are in the other 40 shots!
Every racer I talked to had a great time and enjoyed the course. I'd be curious for your opinion on how our Pennsylvania riding compares to your experience elsewhere.
I loved Pennsylvania! THat's my favorite type of riding- rocky. Although if it rained, I would have been in heaven...
Nice job Marla. I was just happy to eat your dust. I think I finished somewhere around 357th. Just a Guess. Great course. I never loved suffering so much.
Congrats Marla!
"mark coerced me into putting the thing on my arm!"
What??? Wasn't that your FIRST choice???
Nicely done Marla, only the old pros know the importance of getting in the right car at the go kart track!
It was fun riding with you last weekend...
- The guy in front of you on "Revenge" downhill :) (Wheels from 612)
Hello MArla,
I take this opportunity to introduce myself as Dhananjay (Tipu) secretary for Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (H.A.S.T.P.A) and race director for MTB HIMACHAL 2005, a mountain biking endurance race and tour. The event is the first of its kind in the Indian Himalaya and would be flagged off from Shimla on October 6th and finish at Kullu on October 12th. October 13th is reserved for the prize distribution ceremony. The race is being organized by H.A.S.T.P.A with support and assistance by the Tourism and Youth Services and Sports Department Government of Himachal Pradesh.
MTB Himachal is primarily an endurance event. The course is 680 kms and includes the best singletracks, downhills and road sections in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, the host state. The race is for 7 days and seven stages of three legs each. The organizers shall take care of all essential road crew, accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents, all meals, medical crew, transportation and beverages for the event. The participants shall have to organize their tickets for Delhi from where they will be transported to the start venue, Shimla.
Any event is a success and fun because of the participants, the real heroes! We would be honored to have you and your team as riders for the first edition of MTB HIMACHAL and support our initiative to promote the sport of Mountain Biking in the Himalayas. We are committed towards the cause of the promotion of the sport and look forward to your support for the same. I extend you an invitation to be a part of MTB HIMACHAL 2005 and contribute to its success and popularity.
Come be a part of the sport in the Himalayas. The details of the event and the entry forms are available on the official web site: www.mtbhimachal.com. If you have any further questions or any personal request, please don’t hesitate to mail us or call us anytime.
With Regards,
Dhananjay Ahluwalia (Tipu)
Race Director
MTB HIMACHAL 2005
www.mtbhimachal.com
dhananjayahluwalia@gmail.com
ride@mtbhimachal.com
mtbhimachal@gmail.com
+91-93185-03584
+91-92187-96789
I passed you with a vengeance in one rocky garden. Uhhh, nevermind you had a flat :) It was the gold suit...yeah, that's the ticket!
Congrats! You possess otherworldly speed!
Hi Marla,
I rode with you and Sal last year in Virginia (during your book tour). I finally decided to check and see how you did during the SS Worlds. What a great story!!!! Here's to your continued success! Sam Wong
Marla, You can find all my photographs from the SSWC 05 online!
www.kent.photoreflect.com
Contact me if you want to use any of them.
Congrats...
See you soon!
K
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