Thanks to my stupid neighbours I didn't really have all that much sleep on Tuesday. But I was determined to get up early on Wednesday anyway to drive to Kvänum for 1:a Majloppet. Yes, it was time for my race premiere of 2013 and also the first race for my new Allebike Ipsum 26. Because I have the cheap licence and am generally chicken at XC I started in HSport and was far from winning this 'beginners' class as usual. But my goal was to get some kind of training before Dalsland X-Country on Saturday.

I had the worst possible start and could not get my shoe into the pedal at all and once I did it was extremely crowded and I couldn't get any space anyway. So I was last and the pace was already high. By the end of the start loop I was down on the grass where the GCK cheering section was waiting and I could do my first massive acceleration and close the gap to nothing by the time the singletrack started. In fact I kind of didn't brake that much and pretty much ran into the guy who really slowed down.

The pace was still higher than I am use to and all of the roots were on an angle so during my test laps I was sliding on everything. This first lap was not much better but by concentrating and staying on the bike I was able to pass 4 people in this first part and at the nasty wet rock hills. I passed a fifth in the mud after that section in a beautiful acceleration moment which was perhaps kind of mean. But it worked. And then the rest of the lap which is MTB perfection in every way.

Sadly enough on the second lap I was passed by F13-14 riders that started 2 minutes after and getting out of their way did cost some time which is a shame because I was almost caught up to the guy in front. I must have passed others here but there were DNFs and people standing around all over. Towards the end of the lap the fastest 3 in P13-14 wanted to pass and in a sneaky move I took that chance to slip by a guy in front. But I think he returned the favour on the last lap when I messed up on the rock hill and had to walk a bit and someone passed on the section after. So it was attack time and I was keeping up okay except that he was from Kvänums IF and knew the course very very well. I was in good position but in the very last uphill before the grass he was better and my sprint became fairly useless but spectacular as always.

So, a hardtail 26" is not at all appropriate for this race but it was so much better than my old one. On these perfect trails it was a dream. See you in Bengtsfors for the race that this bike is perfect for...