Fontana NMBS Race - the preparation

Ok, so this week I've been stressing about my first race.

• Not only is it my first race of the season...
• Not only is it my first race as a Pro...
• Not only is it my first race with the Velo Bella Kona team...
• Not only have I not even pedaled my new DH bike yet...
• Not only is the race in California...
• Not only is it the first time I've packed bikes and flown with them...
• Not only have I only a few hours this week to get ready...
• I don't know where I was going with this, but suffice it to say: craziness!

Sigh.

Sunday: got back from Moab (great trip!!!), and proceeded to spend the evening unpacking, airing out the tent and bags, doing 3 loads of laundry, showering, and of course also cleaning the house.

Monday: worked all day at the desk job, then worked at the bike shop for a couple hours, and then worked to fix my headset on the Witchdoctor (it was tired from a weekend in Moab). Then, spent the rest of my evening packing. Highlight: learning at 9:45pm that the DH rig wasn't going to fit in the borrowed bike box. Yay.

Tuesday: went to work early, buried in "to do" lists. Left work late. Worked at the shop later. Struggled to pack the DH bike. The borrowed bike box sucks, and we finally gave up and packed it in a shipping cardboard box that the shop had. Praying the airline is good to my baby!!!!! Packed the 4x bike in another borrowed bike box (much better one!) - and hurray! It fits! To bed after 11....and up by 6 Wed. Silly girl.

Wednesday: went to work early, will work until 9pm? 10pm? 11pm? tonight, delicious. Frown.

Thursday: up at 3:30am to go to the airport, to fly to Cali.

I'm so nervous.....

EDIT:

Well, last minute I decided to drive instead of fly. And by last minute, I mean at 10:30pm the night before my 6:00am flight!

• Allie's car was in the shop last minute, so she had no car with racks to carry DH bikes
• I found out I was getting a bunch of stuff to bring back and wouldn't have plane room
  
• armor, helmet, shoes, pads, clothes, a set of wheels, FOX bag w/stiff frame
  
• Still didn't trust the packing job on the DH rig
• Great Aunt & Uncle live in LA, so having the car to drive to see them was good.
  

It ended up being the right choice for sure, though the drive home was HEINOUS. Stayed in Las Vegas and drove home from there Monday morning. Much better than driving until 2am!