Those were the last words of Colonel Kurtz in “Apocalypse Now” and Ryan, Megan and I almost experience something of that nature on our drive to Rapture in Misery Race this weekend. Right around St. Joseph the sky opened the wind picked up to about 70 MPH driving on interstate at 35 MPH awesome. At that point we worried about if a) we are going to survive b) if we will be racing next day c) if we going to camp in this crappy weather. We decided to go and get some dinner and wait out the storm. Things went from bad to worse once we got to the mexican cantina, let just say the middle review was pretty accurate. We got to the park around 9:30 pm and found out the rain has stopped and the race was on, “super tacky” was the description. I would say muddy on first two laps.
Mutli-hour events are really not that exciting it’s really a grind. You go fast and first lap and everyone is all over the place crashing cussing etc. ( If you never race any long event word of advice get up front as fast as you can) Crowder is awesome place, it’s really 3 loops totaling 9 plus miles. There some rocky sections, some awesome descends, couple of short punch climbs and couple grinders. Pretty much awesome mix of flowy single track. The cool part of the event is that you can see people coming towards you from 2nd loop.
The goal for the even was to have consistent lap times and get as comfortable with new frame. The weather was factor once again but this time I dealt with it a bit better. Some other people not so much, after 3 laps the attrition rate was getting pretty high, probably something to do with high humidity and high heat. If you get behind hydration on humid day you are pretty much done. Slowly but surely your body will sap any extra energy you possess. I didn’t have to worry about that, Megan was there providing 7 people awesome service and keeping people going. At end of the day I got 7th place with 5 laps. Six laps was possibility but with gravel worlds this weekend there really was not point of going out to jump 2 places.
Big props to mr. miles (2nd in his age group), Anne( 3rd woman), Ryan ( 4th place) and Mark (5th place fastest lap and fastest flat change. “Sweet pint glass dude!!!!!” Ben from trek kc rocked on to 2nd 12 hour solo finish and the drove home( crazy).
This is officially end of summer as we went to our staple event, St. Stan’s polish festival rocked out to 2nd lunch and some beer with Tom White and Lee Terry. Way to look like golf pro both of you….. snap snap…
And now you know why I bike instead of running, that is horrible “form” I’m practically walking
haha, a lot of awkward form going on this picture! Too many hours spent hunched over the stem will do that to ya.
well… you know
Yeah buddy, you’re getting stronger each week.