Granogue...

Dear Readers,

Thanks to all the volunteers, the racers, and everyone who came out to make the 12hrs of Granogue so wonderful. This race is a fund raiser for the Hera Women's Cancer Foundation. It is also a race in memory of our dear friend Andrew Mein. Andrew was hit by a car and killed while commuting home from his job at Wooden Wheels in 1998.

ASM on the Shirts is for Andrew St. John  Mein

Andrew was the guy that really brought me into the sport and taught me how to be a cyclist, how to be a racer, how to be a teammate. My time with him changed my life. I was lucky to have him as a friend. Most importantly Andrew taught me to always be an ambassador for the sport. As Andrew taught me, I hope that over the years I have been an ambassador, and been able to bring folks into the sport. This race is in Andrew's honor, and frankly in his image. Challenging racing, competitive racing, but fun in spirit and people taking care of each other. I like to think at the podium presentation Andrew is smiling on all of us...

yeah, hot sauce for hot laps. Andrew would approve.

here are a few things that frame my weekend:

At the rider's meeting, I talked about Andrew. I talked our promotion team. I talked about slippery bridges. I asked if anyone had any questions? Someone asked who did my hair? and my sideburns.

I had a hat on!

Dude, I was at the venue since noon Friday, in the rain! I slept in the back of my fit. Can't I get a little love here?

Every time, I make a list of people who help, I miss someone, and I promised myself I wouldn't do that again. So thanks to everyone.  But I need to say something about Lauri Webber.

If you have raced a mtb in Delaware, or ridden the recently trimmed trails at middle run, or raced a MAC cross race, or maybe one of the trail runs here in the trail creek series- you should thank her. I am not exaggerating when I say, that bike racing in our racing world would not be what it is today without Lauri. While her efforts are often behind the scenes, make no mistake she is the backbone the frame work that makes it happen. I am proud to be on her team. I am often the face of our team. The big mouth, but the truth is my efforts are nothing compared to the work she does. This weekend would not have been possible with out her tireless efforts. She will be pissed that I wrote this, but I can live with that. If you get a chance, go to face book and thank her.

yeah, she's signing checks, making sure everything happens as it should.

chaos all around her, and she orders lunch for volunteers...

Dan McDermott headed out for his last lap with just 45 minutes to make it back in time for his lap to count. It would have been easy to call it a night. It was going to be close. Dan threw caution to the wind and charged out to rack up one more lap. Dan was throwing down a hot lap, it was going to happen. With just 10 minutes to go, and a 6 minute section, Dan flatted just before the tunnel of love. Reports were of a loud explosion, and then just the metal of Dan's front rim across the rocks in the tunnel. Dan rolled in a few minutes after the cut off and rolled straight to his camp site. It was heart breaking.  Dan took a chance, and threw it all out there. I was honored to watch it unfold.  Later at the awards ceremony,  Dan got some love for his efforts. Maybe it was me, but frankly, I think Dan got perhaps the loudest salute from the crowd. Go big or go home. Dan was amazing. Well done sir...

Dan was outstanding.

Fort James and his teammate Mark Weaver battled all day long in the duo men's class. Weaver threw down all day on his single speed, and as it came to the end of the night, cramps had ended his day. James went out and threw down a hot lap, and Mark couldn't get back out. James never paused has he raced through the start finish, commenting to Mark, "get me a fresh bottle and a gu on the koppenberg!"  James finished about an hour later, hands raised in victory as he and Mark sealed the deal.  So damn clutch...

See I told you.

Vinny. Vinny  you say? Vinny is Benny the Jeweler's nephew. He took over a water stop during the race and owned it.  It was never planned as a manned stop. Vinny ran after riders making sure they took water. Vinny also decided to run the 10k out of no where, and had such a great time. He's been getting love on facebook, and two people have sent us notes saying, "  I don't usually take water from stops, but the kid was working so hard to get it to me, how could I not." Vinny was awesome, and worked his ass off all weekend... He had fun, and he was critcal to the event at the end of the day.

Vinny on the right!

And then there is this guy. Was there anything more inspiring than this this weekend ?

inspiring...

yup, still inspiring... amazing...

I could continue to go on all day with stories from the weekend. It was amazing. Thank you all that came out, and those who didn't make it, I hope to see you next year...  I hope that those of you who came out of the weekend have a few stories and memories of your own...

buddy locked his keys in his car. Diane has AAA. Buddy wasn't losing Diane.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

photos from Dennisbike.com on facebook (shamelessly  I might add)