Updates from Nancy Harris

Riding and training for the upcoming Southridge 1...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:36:52 GMT

Riding and training for the upcoming Southridge 18th Annual Challenge on November 21-22.

Thanks to Francine Johnson and Dave "Crash" Collin...

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:45:30 GMT

Thanks to Francine Johnson and Dave "Crash" Collins for putting on the BT Bittersweet DH & SD race at Bootleg Canyon last weekend. It was a great race and it was good to be racing at Bootleg again. The temps were a bit higher than normal for October and of course the wind came up right before race time. I had a good run but got caught at the top on Snakeback in some wind gusts causing me to go slower than normal. The bottom section on Reaper never disappoints and we were all gunning for the speed trap. I ended up placing 1st in the Advanced Women DH class and my time in the speed trap was 29mph, only 1mph slower than my husband, Roger

Stoked to get my Mammoth 4x race photo in Mountain...

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:56:57 GMT

Stoked to get my Mammoth 4x race photo in Mountain Bike Action article on-line.

Looking forward to my next race - Bittersweet DH a...

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:29:21 GMT

Looking forward to my next race - Bittersweet DH at Bootleg Canyon 10/17-18 (and it's my Birthday).

Looking forward to riding DH at Mammoth this weeke...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:52:59 GMT

Looking forward to riding DH at Mammoth this weekend, the last hoorah for the season!

Just got back from the Rock Shox Golden State 4X F...

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:09:44 GMT

Just got back from the Rock Shox Golden State 4X Finals at Mammoth last weekend. This was basically my comeback race after being off the bike for several months. I ended up racing Open Women 4x and DH and brought home the gold medal in both classes!!! It was a great weekend of racing and a big thanks goes out to SRC and the staff at Mammoth Mountain for making it a great event!

Riding and training, getting ready for the Bitters...

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:11:03 GMT

Riding and training, getting ready for the Bittersweet DH at Bootleg 10/17-18!!

Recovering

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:24:06 GMT

This past year has been quite overwhelming to say the least. I had my meniscus repaired last June and have been having strange problems since then. Come to find out that my neck is out of adjusment and the rest of the body gets the "trickle down" affect. I have a herniated disk and a pinched nerve along with "loose bodies" in my knee. I have been to 2 Chiropractors, a Neurologist and an Orthopedist all in hopes of a diagnosis and a cure.

After diagnosis, I submitted to Spinal Decompression, Upper Cerval Chiropractic treatments, and an Arthoscopy on my knee. For the last three months I have spent 5 nights a week in therapy hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. I finally rode my DH bike this past weekend and had a blast but I still can't pedal much.

On with the rehab and preparations to regain my strength and fitness so I will be ready for our Whistler road trip in July!!!

Happy healing!!!

Santa Ynez Valley US Mt. Bike Cup

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:48:08 GMT

Last Saturday we headed up to Los Olivos for the Santa Ynez Valley US Mt. Bike Cup. We've raced Dual Slalom there before and love the course. And so we had another awesome day of gated racing. It was a small turnout but the weather was great and the company was even better. Congratulations to everyone who raced! Oh, and I was 1st in Open Women!!

Sea Otter Classic 2009!!!

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:56:07 GMT

As promised, my Chiropractor let me back on the bike to race Sea Otter!!!! We showed up Wednesday, rode the XC course for fun and then settled into race mode on Thursday starting with Dual Slalom practice and qualifying, then DH practice. I ended up qualifying 3rd and had a satisfactory time. Not as good as last year, but having been off all activity for 6 weeks, not too shabby.

Friday was race day and I ended up 4th. I slid out in the first off camber sandy corner on my last race run which ended my quest for 3rd. All in all I was happy with my efforts.

Saturday was DH practice and spectating in the heat (go figure, no rain). I did my 85% race speed runs and was happy with my efforts. Along came Sunday and the temperature was at least 80+. I did 1 practice run to see how sandy and loose the course had gotten and boy, was it!!! Hung out in the shade and then off to race. I ended up a solid 2nd place 9 seconds behind 1st. And to top it off I beat my time by 15 seconds from last year!!

I want to thank all my sponsors for their support, I couldn't do it without you!!

The Path Bike Shop
Nema
661
SDG
e.thirteen
SMX Optics
ODI
Fluid
Motor Tabs
Brave Soldier
Christopher Bean Coffee
IceToolz
GoPro

Off the bike for a while

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:26:31 GMT

After 6 months of nagging issues with nerve pains and limited movement in my knee, I finally got an MRI of my lower back. The findings are that I have a herniated disc and I will be undergoing Non-Surgical Disk Decompression to help rectify the problem. I will be off the bike for at least 3 weeks. I am hoping to be able to race Sea Otter so I'll take all the healing vibes and prayers everyone has to offer! For now I will be at the races as a heckler, dog walker and photographer!

Shimano Winter Series #4

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:18:53 GMT

Got to Fontucky early Saturday and did a few DH practice runs. Under overcast skies and cool temps, the course was fast and flowy. I opted to give my knee a rest and skip the 4x race, so I spectated instead.

On Sunday I hiked up for 2 practice runs and then did 1 shuttle practice run and was just happy to be on the bike and able to pedal and turn. My race run felt great, but just wasn't fast enough to beat the younger girls in my class. I wasn't that far off the podium, so it's time to train harder on that darn wall section!!!

Mob In Mojave '09

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:08:41 GMT

First off, thanks to Downhill Mike and his crew for putting together such an awesome race weekend!!!

We had a great time at Bootleg as always. It was cold and overcast and fortunately we only had to deal with the wind on Friday. The turnout was great including the number of women who showed up. There were actually 7 women in my class, Expert Women open!!! My knee decided to give me grief all weekend so I had to concede early on that pedaling was not going to be my strong suit this weekend. After a few meltdowns and some sucky practice runs, I decided to make the best of it and came in 6th with a clean, moderately paced run.

For those of you who can, you should make it to the St. Patty's Day Feastrace next month, we will be racing the same course!!

Channel MTB Video

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:31:55 GMT

A big thanks goes out to the guys at Channel MTB.com for featuring me in 3 separate sections of their video!!!

My 4x race 3:14 mins
My 4x podium 4:19 mins
My DH race 8:19 mins

vimeo.com/3070880

'09 Shimano Winter Series #3 4x

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:42:25 GMT

On Saturday I headed up for practice after lunch and found that the course was predominately tacky with a few puddles and a few really gooky spots. I attempted to practice and discovered that my knee was not ready for prime time. I stopped and stretched and pedaled up and down the fireroad for a while then headed up for more practice. Gate starts were brutal and pedaling was not my strong suit. Come race time it was cold and drizzling, but the rain held off for the most part. I was 2nd in both motos and gave it the best I could under the circumstances. Julia gave me a run for my money and is getting closer every race!!!

A big thanks to Rich Houseman for the 4x clinic 2 weeks ago, I was definitely thankful for the tips on line choice and how to take the line you want. I have been practicing Hi/Low and Low/Hi passes and body contact which really helps come race time. Until you have raced 4x, you don't realize that it is truly a contact sport!

Press Coverage - Mountain Bike Action

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:54:26 GMT

This picture of me appeared in Mountain Bike Action on-line, thanks to Eddie Arnet.

15th Annual Shimano Winter Series Presented By Subaru

(1/16/2009)

Compiled by Ed Arnet

50 years young: Longtime racer Nancy Harris competes XC, SD, DH and 4X…often all four events over the same weekend!

Note: I did post a comment letting him know that I only race 2 events per weekend, I am not superwoman by any means!!!

'09 Shimano Winter Series #2 DH

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:06:20 GMT

Another awesome day at Fontana has come and gone. Great conditions this morning, cold, cloudy and tacky dirt. Unfortunately, it dried out by race time so I was a little more cautious than during practice as I did not want a repeat of 3 weeks ago where I slid out in a sandy corner. I knew I had my work cut out for me when I checked the see list and there were 7 women entered in the Open Women DH class!!! 5 of the 7 were under 35 and Laura and I were the over 35 group. I ended up with 4th which was a solid placing for me.

'09 Shimano Winter Series #2 4x

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:31:26 GMT

What an awesome day!!!! Did the 4x clinic with Rich Houseman this morning, then got to put the new skills to the test come race time. Brittany Jackson got to race this round and smoked my butt!!! I tried to catch her, but to no avail. The 2nd moto was the same except for Julia being right on my tail. She came in close and almost took me out but I yelled "Get out of my way, shoved out my right elbow, pushed the bike to the right and pedaled my butt off!!! I ended up 2nd overall and had to work hard to get it. Julia, you did awesome, thanks for being such a good sport!!! Don't take my verbal outbreak personally, it was just an automatic preservation tactic as I have never been that close to someone in a race!!!

'09 Shimano Winter Series Race #1

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:51:58 GMT

Saturday was my 4x debut at Fontana. Last season I raced XC, won the overall jersey and then sold the XC bike for a DS/4X bike. The wind was blowing like mad which made for some interesting gate starts. I had to pedal my butt off just to get up the jumps. I ended up 1st and can't wait to get out there again without wind.

Sunday I raced my new M6 on the DH course and was not disappointed. The bike will take a little getting used to since it is slacker than my previous bike, and Intense Socom. By the time my race run came around, the wind had to be gusting at 50mph+. I got to the 1st sandy turn and slid out, and had to get off and run up an incline to finish my run. The rest of the run was good outside of the wind gust that almost blew me over and the headwind on the wall which made me feel like I was going about 2 mph. All in all it was a good weekend and I am looking forward to race #2.

My new ride for 2009

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:41:01 GMT

Many thanks to my sponsor The Path Bike Shop and to Intense Cycles for hooking me up with my marvelous 2009 M6!!!! I received it last Wednesday, got it built on Thursday and took it out in the windstorm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for it's maiden voyage. All I can say is, what an awesome bike. In the next week I will be swapping out the Fox 40 for a 2008 Boxxer WC fork!!! I can't wait.

Holiday Bash @ SGDC

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:45 GMT

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the local racing scene and our buddy Mike Hecker and The SGDC. It was a small but mighty turnout, seems like the approximate numbers where 13 XC, 20 DS and 40 DH!!!

We got there early Saturday morning, signed up, did some DS practice then went over fro some DH practice. The shuttle trailer was quite appropriate for the venue and was actually a very comfortable ride. A few people whined about the dried cow poop on the walls, but hey, it's a cattle ranch!!!!

Then it was off to qualify for DS, then race. No girls (what else is new) so I raced with the Sport men, and of course there were 2 "new guys" who were stinking fast!!! Got the pants beat off me but it was oh so fun!!!

Roger had never raced the DS course before and he got to race in the Expert Men class (those 40 - 50 year olds are fast, let me tell you). He got eliminated after 2 runs, but he had a great time.

After DS, Mike was nice enough to give us time for a few more DH runs before holding the DS awards ceremony. Not too many people showed up, but we got our swag and headed to dinner. Gino's in Buellton is Da Bomb, we had great Italian food and hung out for a while. Lacey, Esteban, Mark, Lee, Roger, Troy and I were in attendance.

Sunday morning we were the first in line for practice (as always) and got in about 5 runs. I finally cleared all the jumps and the drop (which I hadn't done before). Ate some food, did some more practice runs, then riders meeting, then off to racing.

We actually missed our first seed time and had to go off last. I got to race Pro/Expert women with Gabi Williams, one of my long time DH riding buds!!! She smoked me of course, but I gave her a run for her money fo' sure!!!

The 2nd run we made it on time but there was a wicked head and side wind that made the railroad tie jump/drop a little precarious. I opted to go around (glad I did) and Roger was not so lucky. He said his intuition said go around, but he did it anyway and got blown sideways into the tape. He decided to wait for Bob Burns to pass, uncoiled the tape and made his way down ever so slowly. He must have slid on the grass for a while cause his white shorts now have green and brown stripes!!! He only got a few cuts and raspberries on his right calf and thigh, but other than that is okay (thank goodness).

Packed up the truck and headed to awards. I got 2nd and ended up with a $6.00 payback (my second time winning money) and a Park mini-tool (wayyyyy better than a medal/plaque I might add).

I look forward to racing there in 2009. Mike puts on a great race and now we don't have to have a USAC license, so bring your friends out to the next one.

www.ridesb.com

Southridge 17th Annual Race

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:53:14 GMT

This past weekend was the Southridge 17th Annual Race. I ended up 1st in the Series Overall for XC and DH!!!!

I raced Sport Women 35+ XC on Saturday and since I no longer have an XC bike, I opted to race my new Tracer. I had pre-ridden the course the weekend before, so I knew about the reroute and the deep sand ahead of time. The course was dry, loose and rutted from all the rain but fun as always. And even though I suffered from the extra 10lbs of bike weight on the climbs, I have to say the DH sections were a blast. I love being able to ride through the braking bumps with speed and not having to brake as often. I ended up 2nd in my class!

Sunday I raced Expert Women DH 35+. Practice went okay and I managed to get 3 runs in before race time. I felt good in my race run with only one minor bobble but my finish time proves that I have some time to make up before I will be on the top of the podium again.

Thanks to Don Jackson and the whole SRC crew for another great year of racing. I am looking forward to the year end awards and receiving my 2 winner's jerseys!

Mongoose Hillbilly Bike Bash 11/8-9

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:47:03 GMT

A big thank you goes out to Eric Carter, Dale and the Division 26 guys for setting up such an awesome race at Vail Lake.

I raced Expert Women DH and came in 1st. I had a blast on the new course and I look forward to more races next year.

Mt. Sac Fat Tire Classic 2008

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:57:49 GMT

Surgery's done, rehab is a distant memory.......Let's race!!! Just for grins and giggles I decided to try racing XC again at the Mt. Sac Fat Tire Classic. I borrowed a friends Niner and away I went. I ended up 5th in Sport Women 35+. Not my best effort, but I was happy to finish 3 laps and had a great time on the downhills!!!

Thanks to Terry Martin for the great photo!

Elings Park Race #2

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:24:43 GMT

My husband Roger and myself headed out early Saturday morning. Had our ritual breakfast at IHOP in Carpenteria then on to the venue. There were 5 cars in the lot when we got there and nothing but the registration tent. No vendors, no food, not many competitors......Oh well, we put on our happy faces and registered any way. Roger opted not to race DH, but paid his $10 for the shuttle and opted to practice with me.

My plans were to race my Foes 4x bike for both DH and DS, but I had a small block 8 on the rear and my clipless pedals. Plus the suspension was set for the BMX track. So after one run and a very stiff left knee that didn't want to bend, I went back and got the DH bike. The only reason I even brought it was in case we had time to go shuttle Tunnel. So off I went on a small bike course with my big bike. It definitely was easier on my knee and gripped in the corners much better.

5 practice runs, some food and water and off to the race. There were about 60 competitors total including 4 women; 2 Pro, 1 Expert (me) and 1 Sport (Heidi who is an Expert XC racer on the Velo Bella team). I had 2 good runs and was happy with my race. Racing by myself and has become an all to often occurance. I definitely need to make some changes for next year. I may have to start racing the 50+ men.

After awards we opted to practice the DS course instead of shuttling Tunnel. To our suprise, Ed the course builder had added some sweet jumps and had lengthened the course. Brad had a blast and looked really good. This was his 1st ever attempt at Dual Slalom.

We stayed with a friend in SB, so we got to sleep in Sunday since we were only a few minutes away from Elings. We woke up to cloudy skies and low hanging fog which hung around all day. DS practice started out slow as Ed had problems with the sprinkler system having an air pocket, so he had to water by hand. The 1st few practice runs had to be taken slow in the over watered berms so as not to damge them before the race.

I was a little disheartened when I found out that Karen had opted not to race DS after all, so I was the only woman. I toyed with racing in the Expert Men 40+ class but decided to save that for next year. So, since there was only 1 in the Pro Men class (our buddy Orlando) I asked if I could race with him, so that added some spice to my day. He ended up beating me by about 8+ seconds so the second round they talked him into an 8 second handicap so I got to start in front. He ended up passing me but it was fun to have someone else on the course with me. I just hope someone got some pictures of that!!!!