The International Relay

Dear Readers,

Anne Rocking!

Last weekend was the International Relay put on by Mike Kuhn and his crew on the Farm in Marysville. I know folks always think I'm joking, but I am very serious when I say this is my favorite race all year. The course is tight and fun, and the racing is always close. This year was no exception. The event is very social in nature, and in some ways it feels like the first day of school, seeing friends who you haven't seen during the winter break. Lots of smiling faces:

Dave and Joe- who I am lucky to have slap me around each week!

Johan- crushed solo despite a first lap flat... my favorite cross rival!

My C3 Teammate Gary will probably get a uniform fine, but the unicorn outfit is worth the fine...

Anne Rock; Jimmy Rock, Damien who rode a trainer all day, and Carolyn the nicest person in the world.

Matt M looked good. 2/3 of the fastest team on the day- Nick Sears, Chris Consorto (my traveling companion), not pictured Adam Erb... 

My teammate Ginny and her Cool Mom... She was flying today..

Brian K and Chip waiting to get on course!

Eric Roman- doesn't own a bike, but was here to shoot in the biathlon!

Anne Rock and World Famous Stacy Gold in the background..

Guy I don't Know, Brice, Mike K the man who makes it all happen, and Matty  BEE!

 I drove up with Consorto, who was teamed with Adam and Nick. I was teamed with Wes and McGill. I haven't seen lap times (other than from strava) as the results aren't posted yet. I think the timers were a new crew who had a bit of a tough time. When they post them I'm throw 'em in a pivot table and geek out on the data. Overkill? yeah, but I'm a mid pack masters racer, what else would you expect?

Transition area. Who is the dork with Hi-Vis booties- talking to Alan the cleaner? yeah. it's me.

Transition area...

Buddy and Kita asked how my day went. I started by saying that I thought the talent pool was as deep or deeper than I can remember at the International. Next,  I will admit I was a little disappointed with my performance, but very pleased with my effort. I haven't really found my legs yet, but I'm working on it. I believe I'm doing the right things, and the form will come around. I'm also confident that I didn't leave a single second out there on any of the laps that I completed. I was very happy with my ride. It was my best effort. It was really fun. I kept my head when my race bike front derailleur got derailed during my pre-ride. It was getting close to race time so frankly, I put my amazing carbon fiber dream bike on the roof of the fit, and grabbed my B-bike. The one with a new to me frame I bought from an old buddy, complete with a sweet rigid fork. Maybe, I had only ridden it once... But end it worked wonderfully.

McGill's butt...

Wes, me, and Chris

I was honored to race with Wes and Chris- two guys who I think are pretty amazing human beings, and that's not considering that they ride bikes pretty damn well too!

anyway, 363 days until the 2015 International relay. I gotta tough up a little.


Anyway, thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon