The 120 of Shaffer's Farm...

Dear Readers,

Kit Grid for a 12 hour relay race

Saturday morning at 5:45am, I found myself in at the Germantown, Maryland IHOP with four good friends trying to get a third spoonful of the worst oatmeal I have ever eaten in my life into my gullet. I love to race my bike, but at this particular moment, as we prepared ourselves for the 12 hours of Shaffer's farm, I laughed to myself realizing how fucking silly bike racing is...

McGill gets the hole shot...

At 8:00am I led off our team C3: travelers of both time and space made up of Buddy, Travis and I. I was very happy to hear that the traditional Le Mans style start was being thrown out in favor of a non-running start. I got a good start, and found myself pretty quickly in a select group of five. One would go off, and one would drop off by the third mile. Three of us would push, pull and dice around the rest of the lap. When it sorted out, I was the third rider in over all and our team led the 40+ race... I was happy with my effort, and began to eat and refuel knowing there was a long day ahead of us... We were set for a full day battle with Haymarket and Bike Doctor.

Twenty minutes later as Travis was making final preparations to meet Buddy and launch, we heard the promoter announce,"would a representative from team 397 please report to the announcer." My stomach sank. I felt sick. Travis and I walked over and were told, "your teammate has crashed out and we suspect broken his collar bone. There was a crash with another broken collar bone before his, Your teammate is currently with the EMT and going to be transported to the ER... As soon as we know where he's going and have more info, we'll let you know..."

Not Buddy's Best Look...

It was surreal. We've been doing these relays for years. We've had some weird stuff happen, but never had someone really injured. It was crazy. Travis and I withdrew from the race, and began putting on clothes, packing up some of the stuff (Blake, Kita, Jen, Nick, Heather, Scott, Joe and Harnish were still racing) and waited to get more info on where we could meet Buddy. As our race was done at 9:30, I did refuel with a Natty Bo.

"Holy Crap this is the weirdest day ever..."

Shortly thereafter Travis and I met Buddy at the Hospital where the doctor and all the nurses were really helpful, and really kind. They were funny too. Buddy was hurting, but took pride in the fact that the doctor said his break was "extraordinary!" Buddy commented, "go big or go home!" We swung back to the venue to collect Buddy's bike and cheer on our camp-mates (Jen, Blake, Kita, Travis, Joe, Heather, Nick and Scotty) for a few minutes and then Buddy and I hit the road... Let me say that the promoters had a number of riders go down and a number of injuries in an unexpected area due to the weather... They were very helpful, patient, did their best to keep a ugly situation under control...

Team Photo!

Certainly not how any of us envisioned the day. Buddy is battered, and bruised and hurting a bit right now. I also know he'll be back, and breaking legs again soon...

Jen Sears and the rest of our little camp... Jen, Blake, and Kita took 3rd , 

Joe, Travis and Scotty took the win,

and Nick and Heather both took 3 hour wins... 

thanks for reading.

respect
Vanderbacon