Diane and I have spent the past few days bombing around fantasy island on our magical scooter. I went into a tight corner a little hot and leaned our shiny red scooter over to insure we made it throught the corner. Diane pinches my side and says ," hey Mr. Leaning man, why not take it a little easier through the corners?" To which I reply, " that was nothing, on my road bike I can really lean er over.." Diane retorts, " that's great babe, but at no point am I on the back of your road bike..." We pull over and look at an unfinished church that has been ravaged by hurricanes. Diane starts to take a picture. I direct her to another angle, "this will give you more emotion" to which she retorts "you've been hanging with Dennis too much ..." I laughed and had more thoughts on the weekend.
Outstanding. really fun times, one of my favorite races/events ever. Thanks to Eric and Jim and all of the State College Mafia for a great time. Thanks to Russel and Jessica and Michael for making sure we had a place to stay. the spot house rules. Thanks to my teammates Todd, Buddy, Matt, and ANdrew for making the trip, (sorry you missed it fitzy!). Thanks to Dennis for hanging and driving me home. Big ups to Wes, JEd, Elk, Les, Topher, Ranson for great rides. Thanks to James and Lauri for being cool, and helping me keep my head in the morning...
My race:
Yikes drank way too much Saturday night, stayed up too late, what am I some kinda rock star? I was drinking like I was in college, and truth be told, I am a cheap date, seriously a 2 can sam. I was way over my limit.
Come Sunday I felt like ass. Speaking of ass mine wouldn't stop working. I pooped 7 times before the start of the race. It was so bad, I was so sure I was gonna poop myself during the race, that I stuffed a huge wad of TP in my camel back.
First hour was awful. I was at teh wrong end of the run, and couldn't get it going. I was struggling. but I took my time and kept moving forward. I hooked up with Yozell at one point, who had flated earlier and we started riding together. I still felt bad, but slowly I felt my hang over burn off, Mike flatted again, but he helped me set a good pace and surely I started to feel good. Hell like myself, even better. On the climbs I was flying past people, decending I rode some of my best technical sections ever. The long fire road down hill, I passed like 10 guys. It was awesome.
Down wildcat, I crushed through the rock garden and the crowd went nuts. I was so stoked. One last climb, and I climbed like I had someone elses legs. May be my best climb all year. Just before the final down hill someone said, " you guys are 99,100, 101" just as I came upon 2 more riders. I attacked the first open rock garden as they both bobbled and I rolled, knowing the finish was quickly coming up. At the finish Andrew was working and helping, " he looked at me surprised and said, " dude you must have past 200 people, since I saw you at the first check point, you're like in 50th place !" I have to admit was really stoked. So I figure I came in between 50-100 or something like that, at no time during the race was I passed by anyone who kept the spot. That was a good day.
Okay, I know "what if you hadn't been so drunk Saturday Night?" Well, yeah I know I could have probably ridden a much better first hour, but
whatever. I had a great time, met and saw lots of great people, and had one of my best weekends in a very long time. As I see it, I won and I wouldn't change a damn thing.
Anyway, I'm sure this is just one of 100s of blogs and web pages talking about the race that was. Well, that as my race. I'm off to drink some fruity drinks, and bomb around on a scooter. That'll make sure I'm good and ready for Seven Springs !
respect
fatmarc
