The Fizzler DH race - Race Report by Grace Cardinalli Hi All! It had been so long since I was at a bike race I'd forgotten about that funny feeling in my tummy just being around all the other bicylists, vendors, etc.!! This was not only my first race in a year and a half, it was my first downhill race EVER ( not to mention my first real time riding the Intense M1!!). I don't think ANYONE was more surprised or happier than I was when I realized I'd actually won 1st Place in my catagory - Beginner Women!! It just make me wonder though, was I fast, or are all the other beginner women just really, REALLY slow?! During the practice runs, I have to admit, I was trepedacious. I didn't know what the bike could and/or could not do. All I can say is this...It's not my hardtail!! John deserves SO much credit!! He really did a great job working 2 days straight setting the bike up for me so I could ride it. WHAT A RUSH!! My heart was pounding so hard (DEFINATELY AN-aerobic!!) from pedaling downhill (this was a new concept!!). Unlike the practices, during the race, I just wanted to go faster...I felt like some alter-ego had taken over my mind - it was great!! I saw Jon (Heim) take off - RIPPIN!! And I just thought "Can I do that?!" If and when I can, I'm going PRO!! John, in case you all don't know, turned in another awesome time. I really thought that I was going to stink, especially since there were so few women out there and I found out that we might all get grouped together (which ment that I was competing against Marla Streb!) To my surprise, there were enough women. Even if there hadn't been, my time was enough to be 4th over-all (8:16). I know that if I hadn't fallen (it's o.k. to laugh, ya'll know I do this enough) I probably could have been about 7:45. I can't wait until the Bonsai Series!! I know I can do so much better now!! S&M Barbie is back!! Grace E. Way to go Grace! With a name like Grace, you gotta race. You were probably the only one with a ~2 year old pit crew member also. I lost by .4 seconds with a 6:13.4. I gave away 10-15 seconds for inexcusable reasons, so I won't bore anybody with them. The course was very untechnical, but long and fast and still a downhill race which = fun. Plus you get this cool miniature tree. And just 22 bucks. Two more TWW podiums (I was wearing the bmx jersey). Jon Heim

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