A Great Day at Granogue

Today was an amazing ride.
An amazing group to ride with on trails that are limited in access (the Granogue Course) and just a great fun day. The course is in amazing shape, and I was stoked to be met by friends and race volunteers: Benny Da Jewlar, Buddy the leg breaker, Nick Sears, Dennisbike, Joe Bothell, Jake Davidson, and Travis Harnish. Pretty quality group.

It was a great group. Riding up Weymouth's is was a little greasy. We rode one section a number of times as we struggled to clean it. We were cheering for each other and whooping it up a bit. Fun stuff. I believe Jake, Nick and Travis did end up cleaning it.

Up the Koppenberg the final time, Nick, Jake and I found ourselves off the front a little. I have to admit I was working hard to stay with these two. At the rail road tracks Nick looks over at Jake and smiles saying, " you race in the elite class for Mass races right?" Jake nodded at Nick smiling, indicating yes, and then Nick stood and put in a little attack, with that Jake stood and responded.  I went to the engine room, but nothing was there. The young bucks had left the fat old man on the steepest pitch of the Koppenberg.

As the climb leveled out a bit, I bit my lip and try to spin up to my compatriots. We enter back onto the cross course and climb towards the famed Granogue Tower. I feel my heart beating 170+ beats per minute, I stand trying to get across the gap. Nick is now out of site. I try in vain to make it up to Jake, but it's not enough...

I round the tower to find Nick and Jake waiting for me, Nick nods and tells me good job. I try to sputter out a response but only spittle come out of my mouth. Must breath....

We smile as the rest of the group joins us, and we finish up the lap.

Like I said, it was an amazing ride...

respect
fatmarc