I left on Thursday evening, after a five hour drive I finally arrived in Tabarz.
First off, pitch the tent and then get some sleep. I need to be relaxed and ready for the morning training session.

Friday started with an early breakfast, then off to pick up my start number, and scope the course.
My first concern was making the jumps, a couple of runs later I'd landed them all and tagged the tricky parts of the course.
I spent the rest of the training concentrated on optimising my run.

Towards the end of the training I pushed a little too hard. My derailleur got hung up on a tree, mid jump, ripping off the derailleur hanger. I coasted back to camp to find a new hanger and make repairs.
This proved to be easier said that done. Not a single replacement hanger to be found at the campsite and, as I found out early Saturday morning, no replacement hanger in the whole city!
No amount of brain storming or wrenching came up with a ride-able solution. Nothing for it, I'd have to ride the Seeding run and the obligatory training with no chain.
Not being able to pedal, I had to push the limits and ride cleaner than ever to keep my speed up.
I managed to finish the Seeding run 36th of the 60 starters in my class.

Sunday morning it rained…Fortunately not so heavily as to require mud tires. The pre-race training was pretty short due to the early start time. With no chain and less than perfect conditions I came in 39th from 55 starters, even so my time wasn't all that bad.
The race was over and I climed back in the car for the long five hour drive home.

Ok, due to mechanical failure the weekend didn't turn out as I hoped, but, at the end of the day I had my fun riding …and in the pits afterwards.

Fabi