The State Games of Michigan

      Cannonsburg, a trail where some mountains are usually underestimated as natural elevations of the Earth's surface, or hills(or at least underestimated until the caller climbs the so-called 'hill') . Packed with enough hills(or mountains, depending on your perspective) to go around, this is not the easiest of trails. Because there was no SPORT class that was 11-14, Dad put me in  JUNIOR WOMEN 11-14 .The only thing was that they reconstructed the trail, so I wasn't used to it. About a couple days before the race Meilee, Dad, some Team Troll guys, and I pre-rode the trail for the race. Because Cannonsburg was close to where some of my family from the west side live, some family came over to support Meilee and I racing.

      With no trainer, Meilee and I rode around for a while until it was time to race. It was really weird being in a group with at least one of my same gender, for I was (and still am) used to riding with boys. When we got lined up, I was feeling pretty crummy and my stomach felt like I was on a rogue roller coaster for a straight 9 hours! I only had two other competitors,  Emily and Madison, and when I asked ages, I turned out to be the youngest.

"3,"

"2,"

"1,"

"GOOO!!!"

With a kick off the ground to get me started, I began to pedal to the first hill.
      Madison was able to pass me, but I kept Emily behind me with a quick sprint on a couple flats, but within the first few turns she was gone. I had a feeling Madison was already gone, but I kept up my pace. In the beginning, it was almost all uphill, except the few downhills and flats thrown into the earthy concoction for good measure. As I did in almost all of the races that I did before, I told myself,
WHAT WOULD THE DAD SAY???
GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GO FASTER!!!
GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GO FASTER!!!
GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GO FASTER!!!
WHAT WOULD THE DAD SAY???
To not just get me spirited, but upbeat, too. About 75% of the way through I felt much more comfortable, I was getting more agile and maneuvering around all obstacles in my way just got much more manageable.  Soon I came to the end of my first lap, with a rip of the tasty gu pack, I ate it really quick and got it down with some water, and let my 2nd lap commence.
      To start the 2nd lap, I avoided the small mud puddle by jumping over it with a quick spring of my feet on my clip in pedals. Because I knew more about the trail than a lap before, I was able to read the trail with ease. With a pace kept strong, the tightness both internal and external began to cease and my mind felt more clear. With the shiver of good vibes running up and down my spine and back again, I felt very energy-filled. But after 5 miles of hills, flats, downhills and everything inbetween, I came against a slight flaw that taught me something that would really help in the future, and it all came from watching Dad years before... I was going up a quick hill that I didn't notice at first, so I went down 3 gears in the back, and CLICK my chain came off. Instead of panicking, I calmed myself down enough to think, so I got off my bike, got to the side of the trail and inspected my chain.
      Okay, Avery, remember what Dad did for quite a few years whenever your chain came off? Don't panic! It may be a race, but DON'T panic!!!
So carefully, I took my chain and tried hooking it back onto the gear. It took a couple tries, but when I got it I was all like,
YEAH!!! I FIXED MY FIRST CHAIN!!! WITH NO HELP!!!   : ) x 1,000,000!!!
But like at Stony Creek Marathon, now was most DEFINITELY not the time to celebrate, finish the race first!!! With some quick turns I saw Dad, swiftly Dad joined behind me for the last half mile. Next thing I know I am climbing the last hill to the finish line.............DOWNHILL!!!
FINISH!!!
      Madison turned out to be 5 minutes faster than me and Emily was 5 minutes behind me, so I got a 2nd place! Meilee got a 1st place for 10 and under girls, or 3rd place if she was in 10 and under boys and girls.


-Avery