200: garden of serenity

Generally speaking I like white handle bar tape for my bikes. Now the white is sometimes hard to get clean and as it gets a little grungy, the tradition of the White Hand of Saron tells me that white handle bar tape is the way to go, if nothing else for the sheer pimpness of it.

It’s mid season, and generally about this time I like to freshen up my handlebar tape. Now as Slick Rik was changing out my shifter, I asked him if he could throw some new tape on the bike.

Rik reported that despite the fact that I haven’t ridden my bike in over a week, the stench from my sweat was almost unbearable as he pulled off the old tape. He commented that as he threw it in the trash can, Sadly the shop monkey took a whiff of my disgarded tape, and rolled over dead. Worse off, Rik was amazed the under layers of tape were still wet: damp with sweat. Needless to say anyone in the shop that day was all totally grossed out. What can I say? I’m a big dude, I sweat a lot. Figuring for a change, I busted out the blue tape for the final half of the season. I hear blue is a nice color.

Fairhill:

Finally. After 10 years of MAC Cyclocross racing, I finally got a top 5 in a MAC CUP killer B race.

Which leads me to a few thoughts:

1. I should have taken up bowling not 'cross

2. when I talk about small incremental improvements each year, I really take it to heart.

3. Sadly with each of my improvements, the level of cross in our region improved just a bit more than I did...

4. If any of you have any concrete walls you want me to smack my head against for the next 10 years, I'm sure I'll get through...

I had a good start and got clear with Mike and Rob, and pretty much dangled 15 yards off of them for the first 3 laps or so. As we started our final 2 laps I was still dangling and Kremmor caught me, I told Mike and Rob to step it up a bit, and they did. Kremmor dropped me like a bad habit. The last lap I had a pretty good gap to 5th. I rode pretty conservative, and as I came up the finish straight high fived friends and family who had cheered me through. I had a little fist pump as I crossed the line. I was pretty stoked to say the least.

Kelly Benfit Strategies Cross at Rockburn:

Truth is I had no intentions of doing this race. Following fairhill I was wiped out. A combination of things changed my mine. First cooling down with Jim Mudd and Kyle Murphy, we were talking about the Rockburn race, I said that I had registered, but was likely to bag it. Kyle, busting my stones, commented "the mabra ban continues!" Jim laughed out loud.

Fuckers.

I really like those guys.

Second, Auer was putting the screws to me, "come on out to the coast, we'll have a few laughs, it'll be great!"

So despite my true desire to be at some brunch in town with a beer, and a breakfast burrito, Jan and I headed to the race. I was lined up in the third row based on my early registration with 3 teammates ahead of me Auer, Nystrom, and Jan.

Race took off and the four of us found ourselves near the front. Gunnar went clear, Auer got stranded out in second. Birner came back to our group. After 2 laps I found myself leading a nasty group of Jan, Root, Shiao,Chris Samuels, Birner and myself. Nystron, Meally and Masse were just off of our group. I sat on the front and tried to keep the pace honest, and covered anyone who tried to bridge to Auer. I also knew I had Jan in our group waiting to attack. I was realishing my role.

With one to go, I continued to police the front, with half a lap to go, and up the two hills, Root attacked the group, Jan covered him, then the rest of the group. I admit, I burned a few more matches sitting up front then than I planned. As I crested the top of the hill, I could see Jan had taken over 3rd spot, and had a nice little gap. I had a huge smile on my face. My job was basically over. I blocked for Auer the entire race, and was able to set up Jan to take 3rd.

Now I just needed to get my enormous carcase across the line. Up the final straight Nystom bridged back to me, and for the second year in a row, I crossed the line high-fiving Sven.

End result for me was 9th: for those scoring at home that's 4 C3-Sollay.com guys in the top 10. To say I was stoked about my ride, would be an understatement.

despite my reservations, the race was definately better than a beer and a breakfast burrito.

BTW Diane Grimm turned her tire inside out today during her race. Most amazing thing I ever saw...

thanks for reading.

respect.

fatmarc

ps: thanks to Anthony, Dennis and Mike for some shots.