Collegiate mnt bike nationals part 2
Many people tell me that I am foolish for continuing to ride after breaking my neck at the beginning of summer. Some think that I am brave and admire me for getting back on the bike. I’m not sure if I think it is courage or stupidity when I attach the race number to the handle bars of the machine. I had this intense feeling inside of me that I wasn’t meant to quit, the passion I have for the sport cannot be silenced and shouted inside my head all summer as I struggled with my handicap.
I was allowed to ride trails again on October 1. After almost three months of inactivity I was finally back on the bike. I didn’t think that my coach would allow me to ride since I would only have three weeks to train for nationals. I asked him anyways, expecting to be let down. To my surprise he told me if I qualified for downhill and dual slalom I could race. With the two races left before nationals I qualified.
2008 Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals Part 1 (Friday and Saturday morning)
Its Friday morning! The long awaited weekend of the 2008 collegiate mountain bike nationals has finally arrived. It was a cold, rainy morning that made for brutal conditions on the XC course that only the tough, brave souls would want to endure. Part of me wished I was included in the group, and another part of me was glad to be on the side lines cheering in my big warm coat. I took photos and cheered my teammates on, while racing the downhill course over and over in my head, preparing for the afternoon qualifying.
The weather conditions intensified and I could feel the change as I felt the cold rain sting my face. I was on top of sugar and could faintly see the trail ahead of me due to the fog. I was on hoping to get some practice in before qualifying later that afternoon. Although I was curious at the absence of riders, I shrugged my shoulders and did a run. Once I finally reached the bottom, I was cold, covered in mud, and slightly frightened. At the bottom I also found out that qualifying was canceled due to the extreme weather conditions. I was happy to get a practice run in the harsh conditions because I knew that it could likely be that way during the race.
SECCC Conference Championship
Clemson University in northwestern South Carolina hosted the 2008 SECCC Mountain Bike Conference Championship. Hannah and I both raced every event which included short track, downhill, and dual slalom on Saturday and cross country on Sunday. It was an action packed weekend full of nonstop racing.
Hannah’s First Triathlon
I am on strict orders from the doctor not to ride or race trails until October 1st, so I thought…Why not try a triathlon?
My friend Sam Keesler had the same desire in his mind. We decided to race in the Watauga Lake triathlon, it would be our firsts. Sam’s dad also showed up to race for some father-son competition. The triathlon was a hair shorter than the olympic distance. It consisted of a 1000 meter swim, 25 mile bike, and a 5 mile run.
2008 US Open Race Report
2008 US Open of Mountain Biking
I have finally found the energy to sit at my computer and write a race report of my experience this past weekend at the 2008 US Open at Diablo Freeride Park. I went into this summer like a little child with a big, outlandish dream that I whole heartedly believed would happen. If it wasn’t for my recent encounter with the unexpected nature of fate it would’ve happened. My initial plan was to live with some friends in Vernon, New Jersey where we would train at Diablo and then travel together to the races. Living in Houston most of my life I have never had the opportunity nor the resources to train consistently and focus on bike racing. This was my chance and I had the full confidence that I would be racing at pro speed by the end of summer.
Hannah Trimble at U.S. Open
This past weekend Hannah suffered a broken C6 vertebra during the U.S. Open at Diablo Free Ride Park in Vernon, NJ. Competing in one of the biggest races of the season this is a surely vicious and difficult injury to bear. Hannah we wish you the best in your recovery and are here for you in any and every way!
Hannah asked that I put this pic of her up on TR, what a warrior! In fact she continued to race after breaking her neck. Amazing!
Lees-McRae College Cycling featured in USA Today
Cycling is King at Lees-McRae College.
LMC HOME ROAD RACE
I woke up early (although I didn’t get much sleep) and jumped out of bed with the usual abundance of energy that often comes with the thrill of bike racing. However, today i would not be racing. Today I would be course marshaling with my friend Kris, a fellow gravity racer. We would be put in charge to patrol the most dangerous intersection on the already treacherous course (this course has the reputation of being the most challenging collegiate road race in the country). The racers were in good hands!! We exercised great power of standing in the road and holding our hands out ensuring that the riders were safe from any speeding Billy Bob Joes (we are in the mountains after all 
)
We spent all morning blasting music, dancing, and cheering in the intersection of danger!! It was a fun day and LMC rocked the competition taking home gold in almost every category.
James Trimble rockin his Trimble road bike
James Trimble rockin Pink Floyd with his Trimble road bike ready to race!!! He looks tired! this must be an after race photo….Awesome Dad!!!
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My first post on Trimble Racing!
My first post on the racing site!!!!! Much thanks to Stephen for getting this started….
