What would you do? Judging by the emails were going around, Rachel Lloyd has been celebrating her 34th birthday today since about 6:30a.m, when she was hopefully greeted by a posse of friends at the Java Hut in Fairfax for a “four hour ride.”

To some, that might sound like a perfect way to start a morning, and I have no doubt Rachel will be smiling every mile of the ride. But I also suspect there will be some broken off souls. Because the girl’s a straight up hammer.

Rachel taking her Blur LT for a run, Downieville 2008. photo by Forrest Arakawa

I’ll go out on a limb here and say that Rachel is probably the most versatile female bike racer in this country, if not the world. Road, ‘cross, XC, DH, short track, she’s competed at, done really well at, and still competes at, all of these disciplines at the national and world championship level. And for the most part, kicked a whole lotta ass. When taking a break frm ass-kicking recently, she found the time to send in a couple updates on what’s going on in her world leading up to the big three-four:

“There is hope for the future of mountain bike racing! I have had the privilege of riding with youths on two occasions these past two weeks and I can honestly say it has given me hope for the future of our sport. Last week I took out some boys from Marin Academy’s mountain bike team and yesterday I took out Ruth Winder, a junior girl on our road team. While I must admit that I seemed to momentarily forget Ruth’s age during the ride (I think I just assumed she was 18, or there-abouts… junior age, you know!) and I didn’t fully appreciate the magnificence of what she did during that ride. Later it donned on me that Ruth is only 15 yrs old. If you could see the trails we took her down!!

Julia V. on her single speed, Helene D. (the firefighter) on my old classic blur, myself on my blur LT and Ruth on a similar dual suspension bike all met up at the Java Hut and headed up the mountain early Wednesday morning. There were about 6 super sweet trails, who’s names cannot be mentioned here, that we used (as I said to the runner with the dog whom we encountered on said trails when he asked me “what are you doing up here”) “to teach confidence building skills to a young girl.” And I must say, she certainly learned quickly. How to ride behind the saddle on steep descents, how to hop over logs, how to do a quick wheelie to climb up rocks and roots, how to safely fall off a plank bridge and land on your feet (demonstrated by yours truly!) We had a great time and it wasn’t till we were almost home and Ruth slid out on a nasty off camber turn at high speed when I realized how great it was that she was out there with us. Julia, mom of two, Helene, Myself: almost 34, and we are passing the torch to the new blood! There are so many high school kids out there (especially in Northern California) getting the bug, getting hooked on mountain bike riding and racing. I have felt like the sport of mountain bike racing has been slowly dying in America, but we have hope. There is a future and it lies with these kids. All of the bitter old washed up mountain bike racers need to get out there and ride with the youth. Inspire them to keep our great sport alive. You might find yourself becoming re-inspired during the process.”

Ruth Winder - the future of mountain bike racing? Or has Rachel just cursed her, some sort of "the next Amber Ramos" hex? Whatever happened to Amber Ramos, anyway...?

Following this, she endured the weather and actually showed up and represented at the Marin Trails and Ales Festival:

“Saturday morning I awoke to the gentle sound of rain tapping on the skylights… rain? It is May, the rain was supposed to have finished itself off in April. So it goes… we need the rain anyways… the traction will be better… we can always dry off later. By the time I got myself to China Camp for the Trails and Ales festival (an event to raise money for the California IMBA chapter) it was indeed evident that we would be riding in the rain. My “advanced ride” group met at the WTB tent and departed 15min late at 9:45am. A small but manageable group of girls and guys, all interestingly enough riding Santa Cruz bicycles, and looking for a great time! We headed west along the bay view trail then climbing up to the Nike site. The group soon split into two groups: the climbers and the descenders… those who liked to push it on the uphills, and those who were saving there energies for the more gravity assisted sections. We re-grouped at the pavement and then again at the top, and headed to our first fun downhill, a winding and increasingly steep downhill that ended in a steep behind the saddle rocky chute that spit out riders in states of wide eyed wonder and ecstasy. The next trail would be a traversing fun singletrack with swoopy turns and steep ups and downs. The sandy wet dirt caused a few chain sucking, need to stay in my big ring issues, but that only added an extra element to the trails challenge! Too soon we pooped out at the gold hill fire road and began the climb back up to the top. Along the way we somehow ended up on a thick broom brush soggy trail that snaked it’s way up to the top of China camp and ensured that NOW were were soaked. Not from the rain, but from the brush’s effect of shedding all of it’s water droplets upon the riders pushing through it. Once we were all completely soaked we could relax and just ride. We finished the famous China camp’s Bay view loop, swooping and flying around with stunning views of the Richardson Bay. We arrived back at camp at 12:30 changed and settled down to a gourmet lunch (prepared by chef Patrick Clark) of: salad, roasted pig, gumbo and bread (you can check out the whole menu in all it’s gormet splendor on the official Trails and Ales website.) And for dessert, while listening to the live band: pastries, strawberries and whipped cream. At camp, while those that choose to ride were off on there various rides, those that chose to stay at camp had a huge choice of stunts and skills props to play around on. There were kids races all day, live music, and a silent auction. By 4pm after the speeches, local heroes awards were handed out and beer was drunk by all, it was time to go. But I think all in attendance would say the event was a success. The rain didn’t seem to bother most, it was after all only “mist.” Thanks to all the hard work of Rachel and Nat Lopes of Hilride who organized the whole event. See you all there next year!”

Happy 34, Rachel. Don’t tear off too many legs today…