Stage  2 of Quebec Singletrack must have known my legs would need a little boost, so we started off with a switchback climb to a chapel.  I’m pretty sure every rider asked the Patron Saint of Cyclists for good legs as they rode by.  I sure did!

After some position jockeying early on, I settled into my race and connected with Surge, who was right on my wheel.  Surge and I chatted on while we climbed each peak which kept us in a reasonable effort.  Surge has ridden the trails here at the ski town Saint-Raymond and was giving me updates on the lines coming up and if we were really at the top of yet another climb.  I felt like I had a bike tour guide today, and this is one of the things I love so much about stage racing; you get to meet up with riders and work together to make the day a success!

The course today was up and down and up again through dense forests and root mazes, but these trails were polished.  Burmed corners, little jumps/ gaps/ table tops, plank bridges, and optional B lines.  I’m pretty sure my hooting and hollering kept the wildlife at bay (except tigers, giraffes, penguins, and other stuffed animals lining one section of trail).  Surge was a gentleman and insisted I pull into the finish line ahead of him, then we both celebrated a solid ride that restored our energy to tackle Mont Sainte-Anne tomorrow!  I feel my moment of worship today paid off.