Bakers...

Before.

Baker's dozen went really well for me this year. I was partnered with Travis and Dennisbike. Course was super dry and superfast. We got an early lead, which it seemed we could never grow to more than 4 minutes, and with the top 5 teams all separated by 12 minutes it made for some good racing. At 6:00pm we finally had stretched our lead to 7 minutes, but you could see the efforts in all of our faces. A little after 8:00 our lead was ten minutes. As I was heading out, Dennis says to me, "we got this, just go out and be solid no need to risk anything. Stay consistent." Dennis has been racing bikes for a long time, he knows how to play this game, and frankly with that bit of advise, I headed out on to what would be my last lap and for the first time felt confident about us bringing this one home. Dennis was super smooth all day, and brought a zen to our team that was pretty rad. All of us are pretty strong night riders, and thankfully that paid dividends as Travis rolled across the line a little after 10:00pm, sealing the deal for us. I gotta be honest, I can't think of anyone I would have wanted to close this thing out more than Travis. He was awesome today.

 I was really stoked to get the win. Frankly, on paper I had us coming in 3rd, but thought that there were easily 6 teams that had the ability to win. While I was pleased that my prognostication was incorrect, I think it did show the depth of the class. While Dennis, Travis and I had not been teammates on one of the relays before, they are both two of my favorite training partners.  Two of my favorite people, teaming with them was rad. I was lucky to have two such strong, and smart teammates. I'm pretty stoked this morning.

Sleeping in the back of the Honda Fit? Yeah it Fits.

Cheers to the Geezers who made this race so freakin' hard: Benny, Paul, Russ(Classic Heavy Metal), Shawnee  Joe, Bill(C3: Crankaholics) , Chris, Shane, Thori,(Juggernaut), Jonathan, Tim, Trevor(Family Bike Shop) and Jay (who slapped me around all cross season), Matt and Steve (AFC- DREAM TEAM).

I was really proud of our entire C3 compound as on the whole we really had a super successful day. This clearly was not my best race report, but I'm still pretty fried, and I have homework to do.

after...

Dennis survey's the compound...

Breyla-la in transition between laps...

Anne rock clearly having a "WTF" moment.

Bike Racing is like Dancing...

Daytime Compound.

me half way through this beast.

Bill O stacked it pretty good on his last lap. 

Neither Bill nor the foliage were injured in the altercation.

Barry was the honey badger of the day.

Shawnee and Joe L. partnered with Bill O, battled for the podium all day.

Jen, Harlow w/ Bad Kat won the women's 3 person. Shawn holds the light.

Anne looking a bit less "WTF"... Bad Kat savors her second victory in 2012!

Gary relaxes after finishing his 14th lap. To answer Caitlyn he is wearing our 14th different kit.

I guess the last thing is Benny da Jewlar, who I've been racing the better part of 20 years, paid me a pretty solid compliments. Frankly, it was unexpected, and really appreciated. When your peers/rivals/friends pay you a compliment, out of the blue, it was kinda icing on the day for me. Class act the Mr. Jewlar. Class Act.

best to you all.

respect
fm