Mieko completes Japan MTB race

Mieko Carey debuted in the 2011 JCF Mountain Bike Japan Series 2 in Fujimi, Nagano, Japan and capped the race in style, walking her bike to the finish line.

“In the last 200m of the race, my chain came off. Then I remembered what I used to do in XTERRA. Just run with the bike to the finish line,” Carey said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

The MTB race in Japan last Saturday was the second of a six-part series event and it featured 14 female riders, including former Olympians and those who will compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. The men’s division had pro riders, including many-time XTERRA Saipan participant Takahiro Ogasawara.

The 32-year-old Carey finished fourth in the women’s division with a time of one hour, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. She was one of the only six female riders to complete the five-lap, 20-kilometer race.

“It was hard. Now I miss triathlon, but I like to keep doing races like these, as these will help me become a better biker. It was a great experience,” Carey said.

Before the race, Carey tested the course and almost did not make it to the kickoff after a fall.

“The course was very technical. I crashed and hurt my leg and shoulder. I could not walk well the night before the race, but the good thing was I don’t have to worry about my shoulder because it was just a bike race, no swimming or running. But in the end, I was forced to run with the bike, “ the two-time XTERRA Japan champion said.

The first 500m of the race was uphill and the next 500m was downhill and Carey placed seventh in the group after the first lap. She managed to keep up with the lead pack in the uphill course, before riders passed her downhill.

“I was really nervous, I never felt like that in triathlon. The total climb was over 1,000m. There were three big climbs. One of them was like the Bitch Hill at Mt. Tapochao. Just imagine you climb the Bitch five times,” Carey said.

The uphill and downhill rides lasted for three laps and Carey almost gave up with one lap to go.

“My legs were tired, I almost stopped. But, I said only one more lap to go, I can do it. Then my chain broke and I had to push my bike to the finish line,” said Carey said, who was 15 minutes behind the top female finisher.

Despite her struggle, Carey said she looks forward to competing in the MTB race’s next stage later this year.