Budu Racing Series Finale- This year the series included 6 races held from Dash Point to Whidbey Island.  We had a great time at the series and had some pretty good results too! 

PHOTO CREDIT TO JOE MARTIN: for photo on right of Katie coming up on Molly

Race #1 took place at Dash Point State Park .  I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised with the Dash Point course.  As Dash  Point isn't the biggest park and I hadn't thought of it having tons of climbing, was pleasantly (or not) surprised, the course was fun, swoopy, great techy climbs, a couple of small wood structures, a fast and fun course all the way around.

Race #2 took place out at Black Diamond , the venue isn't the best location for pre/post race hanging out as it really is just a "road side" but the course itself is a blast.  Very fast, fun, lots of twisting/turning root laden single track with some fast/flat sections with baby heads - perfect for the 29r I've been riding.  Think this one was the most fun of the series as far as "courses" go.

PHOTO CREDIT TO TIM BURKE: for photo on the left, Woooohoo Jodi!

Race #3 was out at Soaring Eagle  park out in Issaquah.  The course starts out with a quick run up the road, then dives right into short technical descents that drop and wind until you hit the climb on the other side.  The course meanders up after a few short steep climbs.  The last sections are really fast and fun, a couple of short steeps but lots of roots and a really fun descent that ends in a sharp turn through a couple of boulders in gravel that took out a few people, then you start back up for your next loop(s).

Race #4 was out at Fort Ebey  on Whidbey Island.  Another awesome venue - this one requires a ferry ride out or an overnight stay at the campgrounds right there.  Lots more climbing on this one, less technical, lots of swoopy, fast single track.  End of this one though was some steep and tight swithbacks.  Recommend camping, it's lovely and right onsite for the race!  Plan ahead though - it fills up fast as soon as the reservation site opens each year.

PHOTO CREDIT TO JOE MARTIN: for photo on the right

Race # 5 was out at Fort Steilacom .  Unfortunately this isn't one I made it to so I can't comment on how the course was.  I did hear it was a surprisingly fun course though.

The last race of the series was back at Soaring Eagle State Park again - this time it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day, the three Sturdy Bitch Racers in attendance brought home two 1st place finishes and one 2nd place finish.    

Overall in the series Virginia was able to make it to two races, she got 4th in her first Expert Class race ever and then, in her second race had a DNF (dang chain!).   We know she'll be a contender in the upcoming Indie Series!

Katie, also had her first Budu Racing Series in Expert Class, she was able to make it out to 3 of the races this year, not enough to be a contender in the Series, but she got two 1st place finishes and a 2nd place finish.

Jodi made all 6 races and had two 1st place finishes and three 2nd place finishes in Expert Class.  In her first single speed race ever, she took 2nd.  With her great record of finishes, Jodi took 1st overall in Expert class in the series.  Well done Jodi!!

I made 5 of the 6 races, got two 1st places, two 2nd places and a 3rd which was enough to get 1st overall in Sport Class in the series. Yeah!  Guess training does pay off!

We're looking forward to seeing how the coming season continues to play out.   The next round of local races is the Indie Series .  There may be some other local races and we'll have to see how that mixes in with our BC Bike Race  training.  So far, it's been a fun and productive season! Looking forward to more time on the trails!

PHOTO CREDIT TO JOE MARTIN for this lovely shot of Jodi (1st Place in the series) an Molly (2n place in the series).