Peezy's Black Magic 2013
- Thread starter Pearl
- Start date
Red Mosquito
Formerly RLB the Scrapple Boy
No you're schmoopy!
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
I think I missed a couple of the jokes the past week, minus the S Car Go one.
We did not get sea legs, although a couple times the night we got back home I felt a little sea-ish. Mandi was a little worried about being on a boat for that long, but she was a champ. I think the ship was rather smooth compared to what I remember as a little shit. Maybe the seas weren't rough.
Whats scary is how fast you can easily buy beer/drinks. You just need your room card. We had a couple of little things we bought with it, but nothing crazy. You see some of these people with buckets of beer and mixed drinks all day. The prices weren't as bad as I thought they were. They seemed about average with being on land. Still, I'm sure a couple of peoples vacation ended a little early when they realized how much they spent.
CHARM CITY WEEKEND 2013
Yes, it is here. First cross race of the year. Mandi and I opted not to drive down Friday night to avoid being arrested for animal cruelty and saving some cash. We ended up on the road at 6AM and arrived in time to watch the mayhem of the C race. Course had all of the parts I remembered from it last time. Couple little changes, but still a pretty bad ass looking course.
Couple loops after each race and see how dusty this place is getting. I end up eating shit on one of the loose dirt turns and bang my knee pretty good, as well as my elbow. No biggie. Noted.
Start in the 7th row with RU, with Utah in the 10th row. It would be fun to see how long I can stay in front of Utah.
I only did NJ B races last year, this is a completely different ball game. Everyone around me looks fast and looks like they mean business, more or less. The whistle goes off and the whole start is just a roll out. No where to really make moves and try and pass people. You are just following the guy in front of you, three wide through every turn. Everyone is really safe and knows that you can get really fucked up if you start acting like an ass. Eventually it hits some pavement and we get single file. 6 minutes in or so, Utah is behind me and gets by me and heads into the planter.
DUST.
I stick with him as long as I can, but he's just too strong on flats and is riding the sand really good. Come through the S/F and I suddenly see Utah on the outside of the tape. He was complaining about his knee, so I assumed he had enough and bailed. Now what do I do?
Every time up the steps I hear “MTBNJ YOU SUCK!” and I finally spot who it is. He is taking photos and isn’t someone I recognize, but smile and enjoy the heckle. Makes me go much faster and try not to embarrass myself in front of him. We must find this man.
Eventually I notice my hands hurting. I've been riding the cross bike without gloves for the whole year without any issues, but I can feel I'm developing blisters on my fingers/thumbs. Joy. I think I blame all the downhill speed bumps on the course. I can't ride the second sand pit, and find that running it closes the gap on tons of people. I end up closing the gap on the people I am chasing here, only to lose it on the slight uphills/flat sections.
The rest of the race goes pretty uneventful until the last lap. I'm the second wheel in a group of six. I follow dudeman into the barriers that were set up after a pretty long 180 degree turn that ends right into a set of barriers. He takes a line I haven't taken all day, but I roll with it. I end up dismounting too close and smack my rear wheel into the first barrier, knocking my chain off. Luckily, I notice it and fix it without even stopping. This takes, AT THE MOST, 2 seconds. In that two seconds, I'm passed by the whole group. I remount flawlessly, right into the pedals. A two second bobble and I'm now struggling to get back onto this group. I'm here though, but the group is now riding away from me.
This will be a trend going forward. Stay tuned.
This part is blurry, but I end up riding with another guy the last lap in a C3- Twenty20 kit. I can't remember if I passed him before, or if he fell off that group, but he is here. I may have passed him in the sand, running or something. I've been in a couple of situations where it comes down to a sprint at the end of a race for a position, but I never have a contender. This time, Tommy (after hearing the cheers the whole weekend) was up for it. the last turn onto the pavement lets you peak back at the competition without looking like you are tired, and I notice he's about two bike lengths back.
I give it all I have as Tom comes on my left. I run out of steam with about 3 pedal strokes left, but end up holding him off at the end, somehow.
Phew.
(I didn't look at the results at the time, but I finished 58th out of 100) This was a solid experience. Last year, I always felt that I could take unnecessary risks and make up time or spots. This race was not like that. Everyone was solid I have a feeling it will be like this for a long time.. You couldn’t just stand up for 5 seconds and pass 5 people, you really had to work for it. It was more about being smooth and conserving energy than trying to get the most out of every single inch of grass. If you did battle every inch, you would be dead. Being the last race that anyone you know is really racing in (minus the super fast UCI people) is kind of rough. I just wanted to roll up in a ball, but everyone was ready to go. We pack up, clean up, and I venture out of my comfort zone.
note to self, wear gloves going forward.
In the Cheese and everyone elses hotel is a Pho restaurant. Never had this stuff. We all meet up and have a nice dinner. I had the Special Chicken. It was special for sure. We discussed many of things as the rain pitter pattered on the window. Finish the night off with some Froyo, and back to the Hampton Inn with roomie Utah. It rains the whole night, and we can only imagine what the course will be like tomorrow.
Sunday
We wake up early and hit the best thing about the Hampton inn, the waffle maker at the buffet.
A Utah in his natural environment.
I did not take a photo of my waffle, as it was gone in a couple of seconds, but man, It hit the spot. Worth it. We watch some ESPN highlights and head out back to the hood, AKA Druid Hill Park.
The highlight of the morning was heckling Mr. Heckler himself
until he flats and is no where to be seen L
As I’m warming up, I’m worried my legs and body are empty. My heart rate wouldn’t jump as high as it normally would. I push it a little more and eventually we get to where it is suppose to be.
I pretty much start in the same exact spot as yesterday. The start is the same, but this time, I’m going to try and make some more aggressive moves. All is going well at this point. I’m finding my way through a small group of people the first lap. On lap two, down one of the steeper downhill sections, I can feel someone trying to dive on me into a corner, extremely late. I could barely see a tire over my left shoulder, into this left hand turn. I decide to take it the way I want to and let him adjust. He does not want to adjust and finds himself in a stake. I hear “down down down” behind me. I’m not sure how I should feel about this, but at the time, and even now, I don’t feel too bad about it. That is part of the race, taking risks and evaluating if this is a good time to do this. Sadly, he lost.
The next lap, I’m riding behind another guy who I feel I can pass. He is riding the preferred line. I snake around him on the outside before a turn. He was not happy and says “Call it out, don’t be a dick.” I’m a little winded at this point, with nothing left to voice my opinion. I’m almost positive he never passes me again.
They only made minor changes to the course with the weather last night, so the lines were mostly the same. The fixed the sand sections and made it a little more ride able. Enough that little skinny me can ride without too much effort. Last lap comes around and I end up losing 5-6 spots. I’m just out of gas. Towards the end I see no one is around me, and coast the last minute into the finish, for 63rd out of 100.
I can’t say I’m disappointed with this. I feel I learned a lot this race. I felt good both days, but just not as dominant as I felt in the C race when I wanted to make a move. Need to do more riding me thinks.
Stop at our favorite place on the way back, Chaps Pit Beef. Mmmmm.
Tyrone finally got his shit together and bought a Mountaineer:
We did not get sea legs, although a couple times the night we got back home I felt a little sea-ish. Mandi was a little worried about being on a boat for that long, but she was a champ. I think the ship was rather smooth compared to what I remember as a little shit. Maybe the seas weren't rough.
Whats scary is how fast you can easily buy beer/drinks. You just need your room card. We had a couple of little things we bought with it, but nothing crazy. You see some of these people with buckets of beer and mixed drinks all day. The prices weren't as bad as I thought they were. They seemed about average with being on land. Still, I'm sure a couple of peoples vacation ended a little early when they realized how much they spent.
CHARM CITY WEEKEND 2013
Yes, it is here. First cross race of the year. Mandi and I opted not to drive down Friday night to avoid being arrested for animal cruelty and saving some cash. We ended up on the road at 6AM and arrived in time to watch the mayhem of the C race. Course had all of the parts I remembered from it last time. Couple little changes, but still a pretty bad ass looking course.
Couple loops after each race and see how dusty this place is getting. I end up eating shit on one of the loose dirt turns and bang my knee pretty good, as well as my elbow. No biggie. Noted.
Start in the 7th row with RU, with Utah in the 10th row. It would be fun to see how long I can stay in front of Utah.
I only did NJ B races last year, this is a completely different ball game. Everyone around me looks fast and looks like they mean business, more or less. The whistle goes off and the whole start is just a roll out. No where to really make moves and try and pass people. You are just following the guy in front of you, three wide through every turn. Everyone is really safe and knows that you can get really fucked up if you start acting like an ass. Eventually it hits some pavement and we get single file. 6 minutes in or so, Utah is behind me and gets by me and heads into the planter.
DUST.
I stick with him as long as I can, but he's just too strong on flats and is riding the sand really good. Come through the S/F and I suddenly see Utah on the outside of the tape. He was complaining about his knee, so I assumed he had enough and bailed. Now what do I do?
Every time up the steps I hear “MTBNJ YOU SUCK!” and I finally spot who it is. He is taking photos and isn’t someone I recognize, but smile and enjoy the heckle. Makes me go much faster and try not to embarrass myself in front of him. We must find this man.
Eventually I notice my hands hurting. I've been riding the cross bike without gloves for the whole year without any issues, but I can feel I'm developing blisters on my fingers/thumbs. Joy. I think I blame all the downhill speed bumps on the course. I can't ride the second sand pit, and find that running it closes the gap on tons of people. I end up closing the gap on the people I am chasing here, only to lose it on the slight uphills/flat sections.
The rest of the race goes pretty uneventful until the last lap. I'm the second wheel in a group of six. I follow dudeman into the barriers that were set up after a pretty long 180 degree turn that ends right into a set of barriers. He takes a line I haven't taken all day, but I roll with it. I end up dismounting too close and smack my rear wheel into the first barrier, knocking my chain off. Luckily, I notice it and fix it without even stopping. This takes, AT THE MOST, 2 seconds. In that two seconds, I'm passed by the whole group. I remount flawlessly, right into the pedals. A two second bobble and I'm now struggling to get back onto this group. I'm here though, but the group is now riding away from me.
This will be a trend going forward. Stay tuned.
This part is blurry, but I end up riding with another guy the last lap in a C3- Twenty20 kit. I can't remember if I passed him before, or if he fell off that group, but he is here. I may have passed him in the sand, running or something. I've been in a couple of situations where it comes down to a sprint at the end of a race for a position, but I never have a contender. This time, Tommy (after hearing the cheers the whole weekend) was up for it. the last turn onto the pavement lets you peak back at the competition without looking like you are tired, and I notice he's about two bike lengths back.
I give it all I have as Tom comes on my left. I run out of steam with about 3 pedal strokes left, but end up holding him off at the end, somehow.
Phew.
(I didn't look at the results at the time, but I finished 58th out of 100) This was a solid experience. Last year, I always felt that I could take unnecessary risks and make up time or spots. This race was not like that. Everyone was solid I have a feeling it will be like this for a long time.. You couldn’t just stand up for 5 seconds and pass 5 people, you really had to work for it. It was more about being smooth and conserving energy than trying to get the most out of every single inch of grass. If you did battle every inch, you would be dead. Being the last race that anyone you know is really racing in (minus the super fast UCI people) is kind of rough. I just wanted to roll up in a ball, but everyone was ready to go. We pack up, clean up, and I venture out of my comfort zone.
note to self, wear gloves going forward.
In the Cheese and everyone elses hotel is a Pho restaurant. Never had this stuff. We all meet up and have a nice dinner. I had the Special Chicken. It was special for sure. We discussed many of things as the rain pitter pattered on the window. Finish the night off with some Froyo, and back to the Hampton Inn with roomie Utah. It rains the whole night, and we can only imagine what the course will be like tomorrow.
Sunday
We wake up early and hit the best thing about the Hampton inn, the waffle maker at the buffet.
A Utah in his natural environment.
I did not take a photo of my waffle, as it was gone in a couple of seconds, but man, It hit the spot. Worth it. We watch some ESPN highlights and head out back to the hood, AKA Druid Hill Park.
The highlight of the morning was heckling Mr. Heckler himself
until he flats and is no where to be seen L
As I’m warming up, I’m worried my legs and body are empty. My heart rate wouldn’t jump as high as it normally would. I push it a little more and eventually we get to where it is suppose to be.
I pretty much start in the same exact spot as yesterday. The start is the same, but this time, I’m going to try and make some more aggressive moves. All is going well at this point. I’m finding my way through a small group of people the first lap. On lap two, down one of the steeper downhill sections, I can feel someone trying to dive on me into a corner, extremely late. I could barely see a tire over my left shoulder, into this left hand turn. I decide to take it the way I want to and let him adjust. He does not want to adjust and finds himself in a stake. I hear “down down down” behind me. I’m not sure how I should feel about this, but at the time, and even now, I don’t feel too bad about it. That is part of the race, taking risks and evaluating if this is a good time to do this. Sadly, he lost.
The next lap, I’m riding behind another guy who I feel I can pass. He is riding the preferred line. I snake around him on the outside before a turn. He was not happy and says “Call it out, don’t be a dick.” I’m a little winded at this point, with nothing left to voice my opinion. I’m almost positive he never passes me again.
They only made minor changes to the course with the weather last night, so the lines were mostly the same. The fixed the sand sections and made it a little more ride able. Enough that little skinny me can ride without too much effort. Last lap comes around and I end up losing 5-6 spots. I’m just out of gas. Towards the end I see no one is around me, and coast the last minute into the finish, for 63rd out of 100.
I can’t say I’m disappointed with this. I feel I learned a lot this race. I felt good both days, but just not as dominant as I felt in the C race when I wanted to make a move. Need to do more riding me thinks.
Stop at our favorite place on the way back, Chaps Pit Beef. Mmmmm.
Tyrone finally got his shit together and bought a Mountaineer:
nice write up again - i just watched a video of the course (a guy i work with raced 45+). i would have blown up at the fourth turn.
You did really good out there. I had to bury myself for a full lap to catch you on both days and it wasnt like I started that far back from you.
It was funny, bc until I caught up to you, I thought the mad heckler was only heckling me...Then I realized it was a full mtbnj attack.
It was funny, bc until I caught up to you, I thought the mad heckler was only heckling me...Then I realized it was a full mtbnj attack.
LOL at that guy. His feelings must have been hurt that you passed him so he needed an excuse. I hate whiny bitches.
Dusty the Whale
Mr.Chainsaw
I think I missed a couple of the jokes the past week, minus the S Car Go one.
We did not get sea legs, although a couple times the night we got back home I felt a little sea-ish. Mandi was a little worried about being on a boat for that long, but she was a champ. I think the ship was rather smooth compared to what I remember as a little shit. Maybe the seas weren't rough.
Whats scary is how fast you can easily buy beer/drinks. You just need your room card. We had a couple of little things we bought with it, but nothing crazy. You see some of these people with buckets of beer and mixed drinks all day. The prices weren't as bad as I thought they were. They seemed about average with being on land. Still, I'm sure a couple of peoples vacation ended a little early when they realized how much they spent.
CHARM CITY WEEKEND 2013
Yes, it is here. First cross race of the year. Mandi and I opted not to drive down Friday night to avoid being arrested for animal cruelty and saving some cash. We ended up on the road at 6AM and arrived in time to watch the mayhem of the C race. Course had all of the parts I remembered from it last time. Couple little changes, but still a pretty bad ass looking course.
Couple loops after each race and see how dusty this place is getting. I end up eating shit on one of the loose dirt turns and bang my knee pretty good, as well as my elbow. No biggie. Noted.
Start in the 7th row with RU, with Utah in the 10th row. It would be fun to see how long I can stay in front of Utah.
I only did NJ B races last year, this is a completely different ball game. Everyone around me looks fast and looks like they mean business, more or less. The whistle goes off and the whole start is just a roll out. No where to really make moves and try and pass people. You are just following the guy in front of you, three wide through every turn. Everyone is really safe and knows that you can get really fucked up if you start acting like an ass. Eventually it hits some pavement and we get single file. 6 minutes in or so, Utah is behind me and gets by me and heads into the planter.
DUST.
I stick with him as long as I can, but he's just too strong on flats and is riding the sand really good. Come through the S/F and I suddenly see Utah on the outside of the tape. He was complaining about his knee, so I assumed he had enough and bailed. Now what do I do?
Every time up the steps I hear “MTBNJ YOU SUCK!” and I finally spot who it is. He is taking photos and isn’t someone I recognize, but smile and enjoy the heckle. Makes me go much faster and try not to embarrass myself in front of him. We must find this man.
Eventually I notice my hands hurting. I've been riding the cross bike without gloves for the whole year without any issues, but I can feel I'm developing blisters on my fingers/thumbs. Joy. I think I blame all the downhill speed bumps on the course. I can't ride the second sand pit, and find that running it closes the gap on tons of people. I end up closing the gap on the people I am chasing here, only to lose it on the slight uphills/flat sections.
The rest of the race goes pretty uneventful until the last lap. I'm the second wheel in a group of six. I follow dudeman into the barriers that were set up after a pretty long 180 degree turn that ends right into a set of barriers. He takes a line I haven't taken all day, but I roll with it. I end up dismounting too close and smack my rear wheel into the first barrier, knocking my chain off. Luckily, I notice it and fix it without even stopping. This takes, AT THE MOST, 2 seconds. In that two seconds, I'm passed by the whole group. I remount flawlessly, right into the pedals. A two second bobble and I'm now struggling to get back onto this group. I'm here though, but the group is now riding away from me.
This will be a trend going forward. Stay tuned.
This part is blurry, but I end up riding with another guy the last lap in a C3- Twenty20 kit. I can't remember if I passed him before, or if he fell off that group, but he is here. I may have passed him in the sand, running or something. I've been in a couple of situations where it comes down to a sprint at the end of a race for a position, but I never have a contender. This time, Tommy (after hearing the cheers the whole weekend) was up for it. the last turn onto the pavement lets you peak back at the competition without looking like you are tired, and I notice he's about two bike lengths back.
I give it all I have as Tom comes on my left. I run out of steam with about 3 pedal strokes left, but end up holding him off at the end, somehow.
Phew.
(I didn't look at the results at the time, but I finished 58th out of 100) This was a solid experience. Last year, I always felt that I could take unnecessary risks and make up time or spots. This race was not like that. Everyone was solid I have a feeling it will be like this for a long time.. You couldn’t just stand up for 5 seconds and pass 5 people, you really had to work for it. It was more about being smooth and conserving energy than trying to get the most out of every single inch of grass. If you did battle every inch, you would be dead. Being the last race that anyone you know is really racing in (minus the super fast UCI people) is kind of rough. I just wanted to roll up in a ball, but everyone was ready to go. We pack up, clean up, and I venture out of my comfort zone.
note to self, wear gloves going forward.
In the Cheese and everyone elses hotel is a Pho restaurant. Never had this stuff. We all meet up and have a nice dinner. I had the Special Chicken. It was special for sure. We discussed many of things as the rain pitter pattered on the window. Finish the night off with some Froyo, and back to the Hampton Inn with roomie Utah. It rains the whole night, and we can only imagine what the course will be like tomorrow.
Sunday
We wake up early and hit the best thing about the Hampton inn, the waffle maker at the buffet.
A Utah in his natural environment.
I did not take a photo of my waffle, as it was gone in a couple of seconds, but man, It hit the spot. Worth it. We watch some ESPN highlights and head out back to the hood, AKA Druid Hill Park.
The highlight of the morning was heckling Mr. Heckler himself
until he flats and is no where to be seen L
As I’m warming up, I’m worried my legs and body are empty. My heart rate wouldn’t jump as high as it normally would. I push it a little more and eventually we get to where it is suppose to be.
I pretty much start in the same exact spot as yesterday. The start is the same, but this time, I’m going to try and make some more aggressive moves. All is going well at this point. I’m finding my way through a small group of people the first lap. On lap two, down one of the steeper downhill sections, I can feel someone trying to dive on me into a corner, extremely late. I could barely see a tire over my left shoulder, into this left hand turn. I decide to take it the way I want to and let him adjust. He does not want to adjust and finds himself in a stake. I hear “down down down” behind me. I’m not sure how I should feel about this, but at the time, and even now, I don’t feel too bad about it. That is part of the race, taking risks and evaluating if this is a good time to do this. Sadly, he lost.
The next lap, I’m riding behind another guy who I feel I can pass. He is riding the preferred line. I snake around him on the outside before a turn. He was not happy and says “Call it out, don’t be a dick.” I’m a little winded at this point, with nothing left to voice my opinion. I’m almost positive he never passes me again.
They only made minor changes to the course with the weather last night, so the lines were mostly the same. The fixed the sand sections and made it a little more ride able. Enough that little skinny me can ride without too much effort. Last lap comes around and I end up losing 5-6 spots. I’m just out of gas. Towards the end I see no one is around me, and coast the last minute into the finish, for 63rd out of 100.
I can’t say I’m disappointed with this. I feel I learned a lot this race. I felt good both days, but just not as dominant as I felt in the C race when I wanted to make a move. Need to do more riding me thinks.
Stop at our favorite place on the way back, Chaps Pit Beef. Mmmmm.
Tyrone finally got his shit together and bought a Mountaineer:
Quote
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
I can vividly remember Kevin shitting on a post I made because it didn't have enough words. Now it has too many words, and he skim. Can't make this shit up.
This week we have been staying at Bill and Lisas house watching their pup, Ginger. Since the wedding, we haven't gotten back into our normal schedule yet. That, on top of house hunting, is pretty draining. We both have come home from work, ran around to look at houses, come back home and crash pretty hard.
Pup.
Friday night I spent all night trying to set up the Limus wheelset from my sponsor, Fred Brown Racing. I think the last time he used them was in the snow, and everything was just about seized up. I spent enough time making them not rub and packed them in the car.
WESTWOOD
I always hated this course. It wasn't muddy this time but it only had about 3 turns that you could actually take at speed. Show up early enough and watch some races. Man this place is bumpy as shit. Swap out the wheels and warm up.
I start middle/back, but with less than 50 people, it won't matter too much. These B starts don't really allow you move up. I feel like I'm boxed in and just rolling into the first turn. Hoping someone doesn't lean into me. I see 26er crash and go OTB. I assume I never see him again. I hear a expolding tire in front of me and hope it isn't someone I know. It's Bard. We are right by the pit and I yell to Mandi to see if she has a wheel for him. I can't ride the steep hill that is now a run up for me, but the people around me at my pace can't either. I eventually see Esnes crash in front of me pretty bad on some slippery grass. I feel that I could win this thing if everyone that is faster than me keeps wrecking or breaking something.
Eventually (I think lap 1 or 2) 26er catches back up to me.
Damn him.
We jockey positions a couple of times over the barriers, but eventually I'm in front of him until the grass straight away. He makes the pass and says "jump on my wheel". I hang on at what feels like mach 3 and eventually get spit out 3 seconds later. He bridges up to Mandell and they are completely out of contact by the S/F.
The race settles down at this point for me, and I have one guy in front of me, and one behind me. I recognize the person behind me, he's a junior and I can't get him to come around me.
I couldn't shake this kid.
Both Steve and I catch dudeman in front of us and are now a threesome. I'm pretty spent at this point and would love to recover. We come by with 2 laps to go and I slow down and try and let Steve pass me. He just kind of sits in my back pocket on my left. I look over at him and he's happy to sit here. I try and hit the grass uphill hard after the S/F, but he's still here. Eventually the other guy that we met says "we're going to get caught at this pace" and takes off after the steps/run up. I can't respond and he puts a good 5 seconds into us.
I know it's going to come down to a sprint with this kid, and he is completely relaxed. I'm just about to die and slow down even more. Onto the grass straight away and with about 200 feet left he comes down low and passes me cleanly on the inside of the the turn. THe whole time, I've been taking it outside and wide. He hugs it inside and I'm hoping I can hop on his wheel.
Fat chance. He powers past me and I have nothing left in the tank.
I cross the line 17th (out of 33 or 47, still can't figure that out) and I'm happy with that. I feel we slowed down so much with 2 to go. I need to get a better starting position. I need to get 26er-esque power on the flats. I need to get the sleeves on my skinsuit fixed.
The wall of school buses.
After we stopped at Subway, Froyo, and one more time to check out the house we really like. Shit is getting real.
This week we have been staying at Bill and Lisas house watching their pup, Ginger. Since the wedding, we haven't gotten back into our normal schedule yet. That, on top of house hunting, is pretty draining. We both have come home from work, ran around to look at houses, come back home and crash pretty hard.
Pup.
Friday night I spent all night trying to set up the Limus wheelset from my sponsor, Fred Brown Racing. I think the last time he used them was in the snow, and everything was just about seized up. I spent enough time making them not rub and packed them in the car.
WESTWOOD
I always hated this course. It wasn't muddy this time but it only had about 3 turns that you could actually take at speed. Show up early enough and watch some races. Man this place is bumpy as shit. Swap out the wheels and warm up.
I start middle/back, but with less than 50 people, it won't matter too much. These B starts don't really allow you move up. I feel like I'm boxed in and just rolling into the first turn. Hoping someone doesn't lean into me. I see 26er crash and go OTB. I assume I never see him again. I hear a expolding tire in front of me and hope it isn't someone I know. It's Bard. We are right by the pit and I yell to Mandi to see if she has a wheel for him. I can't ride the steep hill that is now a run up for me, but the people around me at my pace can't either. I eventually see Esnes crash in front of me pretty bad on some slippery grass. I feel that I could win this thing if everyone that is faster than me keeps wrecking or breaking something.
Eventually (I think lap 1 or 2) 26er catches back up to me.
Damn him.
We jockey positions a couple of times over the barriers, but eventually I'm in front of him until the grass straight away. He makes the pass and says "jump on my wheel". I hang on at what feels like mach 3 and eventually get spit out 3 seconds later. He bridges up to Mandell and they are completely out of contact by the S/F.
The race settles down at this point for me, and I have one guy in front of me, and one behind me. I recognize the person behind me, he's a junior and I can't get him to come around me.
I couldn't shake this kid.
Both Steve and I catch dudeman in front of us and are now a threesome. I'm pretty spent at this point and would love to recover. We come by with 2 laps to go and I slow down and try and let Steve pass me. He just kind of sits in my back pocket on my left. I look over at him and he's happy to sit here. I try and hit the grass uphill hard after the S/F, but he's still here. Eventually the other guy that we met says "we're going to get caught at this pace" and takes off after the steps/run up. I can't respond and he puts a good 5 seconds into us.
I know it's going to come down to a sprint with this kid, and he is completely relaxed. I'm just about to die and slow down even more. Onto the grass straight away and with about 200 feet left he comes down low and passes me cleanly on the inside of the the turn. THe whole time, I've been taking it outside and wide. He hugs it inside and I'm hoping I can hop on his wheel.
Fat chance. He powers past me and I have nothing left in the tank.
I cross the line 17th (out of 33 or 47, still can't figure that out) and I'm happy with that. I feel we slowed down so much with 2 to go. I need to get a better starting position. I need to get 26er-esque power on the flats. I need to get the sleeves on my skinsuit fixed.
The wall of school buses.
After we stopped at Subway, Froyo, and one more time to check out the house we really like. Shit is getting real.
God I almost forgot about the buses....that was some crazy shit
Fix your shifters, you're not riding a TT bike.
Nice work though, you beat some fast guys....Forget about 26er, he's loco...rides a pink bike, does two cross races back to back...hes not right in the head. 🙂
Fix your shifters, you're not riding a TT bike.
Nice work though, you beat some fast guys....Forget about 26er, he's loco...rides a pink bike, does two cross races back to back...hes not right in the head. 🙂
SpartaBard
Well-Known Member
I think only 33 finished, maybe 47 started or registered?
I have the short sleeve skinsuit. I am not sure why you bothered with the long sleeve when you can just add arm warmers.
Wobbegong
Well-Known Member
Where are you guys looking to buy?
If you want draining, you can borrow my 3 kids for a few days.... 🙂
Great write-up. You were silky smooth out there. I tried to work on my 'bridging up' this year. Seemed like all the fast dudes had an extra gear that I had no response to. Now I try to hit my local A ride and try to hang on to the fastest dudes and when a gap happens turn myself inside out to close it or die trying. F intervals
It must be tiring drive back and forth to NC errrday.
I have to admit if I was in your guys shoes there would be no question that I would be looking for house and job in NC. Cost of living/raising children/home cost/taxes vs. NJ not even close. I know of no less then a dozen family and friends in the past few yrs. who have moved to NC and all said never looking back. If I could convince the wife I would pick up tomorrow and go. Just saying...
