Serena Rides: Alpenrose.....I left the mind-games at the door.

Alpenrose. I raced well. Not well because I placed third, but well because I raced clean and smooth and without the head-games that are so easy to play.

I just rode my bike. I wasn't nervous at the start. I was excited and confident. Not jittery or wound up.

I knew I had warmed up, I knew I needed to ride well; to keep calm, to carry on. I didn't waste energy on things that didn't move me forward. When I lost my chain, I didn't Spaz Out. I just pedaled it back on and focused on making up the few seconds that I had lost.

I still have a lot of work to do, but I am happy to have Alpenrose under my belt.

And I was thrilled to see Max, my nephew, complete his first race - Kiddie Cross!