I get to warm up with KC here... Back in the Day. Ms. Compton was on Trek. Snow Shoe/Canaan was their big thing. Katie and all the Trek guys were always super nice to us. Even though we were camping we had the Trek Homie Hook up. It was so bad I can remember my parents telling security they were with Trek, and got a front row parking spot. Damn it's good to be a gangster

2005
24hr of West Virginia has been moved. The article in Dirt Rag proclaims it a great single speed course. Granny, although still a vampire, has perhaps learned a valuable lesson as the 24hr of Snow Shoe had less than 200 teams in the previous year. I had done each of the new west virginia venues, and figured I had to keep this tradition alive. New Venue, I have to do the race. When I shared my thoughts with Diane she said, "dude, you promised I wouldn't have to go back to west virginia!" I picked up the phone and began to make some calls...
Our original line up was Lwebb, Buddy, me and Matt. LWebb got the call from her IF teammates, so we happily brought single speed Dan on board. We worked through out the spring always with an eye on this race.
last week we planned out who was bringing what, and for a time I felt relaxed.

Friday night Dan called me and told me he had be diagnosised with Mono. It was a shot to the heart. I felt bad for Dan, who I believe will be the next great rider out of our community, he had worked so hard to get ready for this, and now was out.

Friday night was pretty sleepless and at 3:30am I sent out a bevy of emails to folks who I thought would have an interest and would be able to fill in at the last second. I made a list of folks whose emails or phone numbers I didn't have, but I could get for Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning I had the pleasure of riding with Amazin' Andrew who is an endurance specialist. Although not known for single speeding, he completed the universes last year with style. And when I asked him if he still had his rigid single speed, He just smiled at me. I knew them we had our fourth...

This entire week I've been bouncing off the walls. My stuff has been laid out and is ready to be packed. I approach the weekend with memories of my first Canaan strong. I remember the drive, and how excited I was just to be apart of it. I also come into this weekend with a very strong team, and hopes of a great ride. I know I'm dancing with the vampire, but I hope for the best, and at worst, I know I'll have good friends, and good riding a head of me...

respect
fatmarc