Defending Her “Fastest Girl” Title

At the second kid’s race in the Over the Hump Mountain Bike Series, there were three girls racing instead of just one. It was the first time I actually saw Princess get a little competitive. In the past, she’s the girl who finishes the (running) race holding hands with a new-found friend, or packs her pockets with band-aids just in case she comes upon a hurt racer on the route.

This race, she pulled out in front early, but got passed going up a hill on her single-speed bike by “a girl on a geared bike”.  Todd sensed her frustration and assured her they’d catch up later in the course.  Through the single track, the girl in front took it slower than Princess would have liked and as a result, Princess kept so close to the little girl’s dad (who was following her), that their tires kept bumping.  Not great race etiquette, but I understand her impatience.

When the trail finally opened up a few hundred yards from the finish line, Princess tried to make her move, taking a wide right turn only to have the father drift out into her passing lane.  Todd heard her loud grunt/groan from a few feet back.  Once again, not great race etiquette, but effective nonetheless.  The father in front also heard her frustration, offered his apologies, and quickly got out of her way.  She easily pulled ahead of the “girl on the geared bike” to take her spot once again as “fastest girl” in the race.