The Ghosts of Granogue

Dear Readers,

Granogue is my favorite race in the Mid Atlantic. I'll be honest that I'm biased, but I love this race. I'll admit it's weird for me now that I am no longer a member of the promotion team. Naturally, folks will ask me questions- and I happily direct them to the current promoters of the race: Paul and Lisa.
Paul and Lisa are awesome. I love what they have done with the race and the I love their vision. Most of all I love that I'm not a promoter. Paul and Lisa inspire me. Cheers to them.

That said, I admit I felt a weird stress Sunday Morning. I was rushing to get out of the house and Diane said to me, " dude, we aren't on the promotion team anymore. Paul and Lisa have this..."  And I relaxed.

At the venue I walked around and took it in. Granogue lingers with me in a way I can't easily express. It will always be a special place a special race to me. Thank you Paul and Lisa for bringing this back. Thanks for your graciousness to Monk and I...

Loving the Vanderbacon Logo on the podium!

My race was really hard and really fun. I'm not gonna lie I was pretty damn stoked... I got a good start, and after two laps settled into a nice group with Johan (EVO), Peter (Bikenetic), and D-Lowe (Philly Ciclismo).

My group this weekend. - Photo Credit Bill White

across bamboo hill

We rode together each taking turns pushing the pace at the front, and stretching things out. With 3 to go  Peter went to front and lifted the pace. Johan came of off our group. With two to go, D-Lowe went to the front, and I struggled to follow his wheel, but just made it. It was down to just D-Lowe and I going into the final lap. I knew that no way, no how did I want to come into the final straight and have to sprint D-Lowe. I put in a dig on one of the steep pitches and got a small gap. D-Lowe chased me around, and I stood and sprinted as we hit the pavement for the last time nursing the little gap to D-Lowe. 

In my effort to distance myself from D-Lowe, I started to gain on my old buddy Benny the Jewlar, who had been tantalizingly in front of our group for the last two laps. Ben didn't realize I was there, and I didn't think there was enough room to get to him, but being the good friend that I am, I drilled it. He hit the line a half wheel a head of me! He looked over and smiled at me, yelling, "FATMARC!!"  I smiled and said, "I wasn't gonna get you, but I couldn't let you sit up either.."

Benny the Jewlar!

While I didn't get the spot, what I did get for chasing on my buddy down to the line? I puked. 

And just as I wiped the spittle off my chin, my in-laws came up to congratulate me. It was an awesome moment. I'm sure it's an image of their most favorite son-in-law in the world that will stick with them forever.

still on the vomit comet! 

It was a beautiful day. I am destroyed.

thanks for reading.

respect

fatmarc

PS- Blog about the clinic coming this week I promise...