chapter 41: Clubber Lang could take B.A. Baracus

Wow. What a weekend. What a great and exhausting weekend. Thursday night Wes, and Kerry came down, Wes from PA, Kerry from Boston. Thursday night we hit half moon inn, and had some nice dinner. Friday was spent
At Granogue taping the course, and making the corners as evil as we could. Tom
Had an inspired set up. The race had over 400 riders. That was awesome. So Friday while we were working the course, Eric Tonkin, who was staying with Tom, shows up. E-town and I were walking around getting ready to do some openers. We walk to the pit where Eric had his rental car parked, and we do what B-men do. We talk shit.

Me: So you think you’re riding the course today Tonkin?
E-Town: no fucking way you’re riding this course, we don’t care who you are man. Pro, no Pro, No one pre-rides the course unless you are DCCofD baby…

We start laughing, unbeknownst to us, ole Erik was sitting in the passenger side of the car. He gets out, and E-town and I each go a little pale.

Eric: Hey, guys, I was gonna ride down through the park, I won’t ride the course, it’s cool, don’t worry

E-town and I just look at each other and start laughing. A real bunch of tough guys we are. We followed up with: No sweat we were just doing what B-men do, you know talk a lot of shit. We are gonna ride it shortly we can show you the loop if you’d like. We all laughed.


Tonkin was super cool he went out and rode in the park, and came back and we showed him a loop. Super good guy. I’ll cheer for him always. Every time E-town and I saw him the rest of the weekend, we joked about him not riding our course.
That was funny.

Speaking of Portland, let me also say that it was super cool to talk with Molly Again. Now I don’t think the DCCofD is gonna try to claim her yet, but I will say that Molly spent some years here in Delaware, had a really nice race Saturday, and fought really hard Sunday to get back despite an untimely flat. All the way around a class act, especially facing a very tough weekend outside of racing. I am a fan.

This is Rob Thomas, no not that no talent ass clown from Match box 20, but the dccofder. Here he rocks the mustache that all married men want, the "trucker" but never make it out of the front door with. Rob clearly is not married, and clearly has the machismo to pull this look off. Two good rides for Rob this weekend. I'm gonna credit them to the 'stache.

Mega is a cross rock star. First she took over the Mid Atlantic winning the hearts and friendship of oh I guess everyone, and then she moved to New England with her super cool husband, JD. When I crossed the line after my race, I rode by mega, and I was still pretty much in oxygen debt, I had a hard race, but one which I was proud of, especially after a super poor start, she says to me, “you have a passion for this like no one I have seen, you wear it on your face the entire race.” Or something like that. I think I blushed a little when she said that. That was really nice.

Back in my wrestling days there were few voices I could hear clearly when I was getting my face smashed into the mat. My father was one of them. Saturday at Granogue, my parents, my brother and his kids, along with Diane’s parents, and sister’s family all came out. Near the end of my race, as I struggled up one of the run ups, trying to bridge to the next group I heard his voice clear as day, “stop pussy footing around and get up there!” I had to crack a smile for a second, I swear for half a second he said, “shoot the half nelson, shoot the half!” I was incredibly grateful for all of my family coming out to cheer Diane and I on. That was pretty awesome.

I want to thank everyone that helped chip in the make the Granogue race such a success. So Many of the DCCof Ders and shit folks just in our bike community, and everyone. Buddy, Matt and Les who solved the beer emergency, and who helped head up the break down, which anyone who has ever helped promote a race, knows is so tough at the end of the day. Thanks to Kerry who drove 7 hours to tape the course, staple numbers to registration that was awesome. Thanks to Wes who probably had no idea when we became friends that I would put him to work at races. Embarassingly I have no pictures of Kerri, as I was warming up during her race. Dennisbike won't let me down...

Sunday morning 6:00 am came too soon. At 4:00 am I was awoken by a sore knee, so I went down stairs and popped a handful of Advil. At 6:00am when my alarm went off I felt like I was just getting comfortable again. Getting out of bed, I felt every effort of Granogue, and wondered how the Wiss race would go. I got up and loaded up the toaster. Tired, and sore, but excited.

The venue was just and hour away, which was nice and we saw some really nice Balloons on the way up. That was soothing. Diane had to drive as she a had a little race gut on the way to the race. She had another problem, but I’ll let her tell that story, that added just to the drama to our morning.

This is Dieter who had on some sweet hot pants today. These pants made his ass look super hot, and of course I mean that in the most heterosexual way that I can. The only issue that I saw there was the DPL that he was sporting. You know the dreaded panty line. I told him I could get him a thong if he’d like.

This Picture is Mark, Dina, and Fergie. Way back in 1995 when I first heard of cross, but wouldn’t race it for another 3 years, there were 2 names that would come up in our local shop. Bob Reuther, and Dina Desantis. I remember watching videos of nationals and these two locals ripping it up. Dina was also big time on the local mountain bike scene. I was super stoked today to see her racing the B women’s class. I was cheering for her on top of the run up as I was warming up. I’d yell, “go Dina Desantis, you don’t know me, but I know you” She had a great ride, and I think is may show up for a some more cross races. I’m hoping to lure her to the dccofd practice. I had a really nice conversation with her. It’s always cool to meet your heroes. I was super stoked to meet her, and see her racing again. If nothing else, that made my day.

I heart Katie. She is a good friend. I was so stoked to see her down this weekend and to be able to watch her race, and hang out. After today’s race Peter was videoing her, and she was getting interviewed, I was putting a jacket on her, and giving her water. I’d say something like, “Miss Compton, here’s your jacket, Miss Compton here’s your water, Miss Compton your podium is waiting” All of which is an old inside joke dating back to when Justin Thompson first met Katie. Justin was maybe 14, and Katie was maybe 18, Justin met her and said something like,” miss Compton, it’s nice to meet you…” Katie has always been super low key and cool, but from then on it was Miss Compton all the way. BTW did anyone here Mayhew say, “Katie Compton original DCCoDer” that was rad.