The RASTA Rally in Rhinelander, Wisconsin is a surefire sign that spring is here. Mountain bikers from Wisconsin and Michigan, particularly the Keweenaw, showed up for a brutal ride on a perfect day.

The RASTA gang offered seven and a half miles of hell followed by some swooping singletrack. The new section of hell featured fun little rock gardens, tight turns, more ups and downs that I care to acknowledge, and no flow. That’s right – no flow. Personally, I’m not a fan of a trail that doesn’t utilize the benefit of flow. Momentum is one of the most fun physics concepts that one can apply in the great sport of mountain biking.

This lack of flow provided seven and a half miles of anaerobic pedaling. There were no opportunities for active rest. I rode with the sweep and grilled him for course information. I don’t think he really understood what exactly it was I wanted – the active rest thing. I had considered dropping out of the race, but the course got tamer after a while.

After almost twelve miles, I crossed the finish line DFL (dead f—ing last). For the first time in my life, I was the last person in the race. Sure, I raced expert and we started the same time as sport. The sport riders didn’t ride the brutal section of hell. After the race, I concluded that this small gathering of racers was really a large bunch of excellent riders. This wasn’t the typical mountain bike race where 30-50% of the riders finish behind me.

I congratulate the RASTA race crew for putting on a great event. It was definitely an eye-opening event when it comes to the reality of just how much training is needed.