Granogue MTB

I was able to do the Escape from Granogue race thanks to the support of my wonderful family! I met Kris and the kids at Aunt Mimi and Uncle Pete's Friday night. I have to admit it was pretty stressful getting home from work, 1.5 hour drive, packing all my crap for the race, grabbing a Clif Bar to hold me off until I got to Mimi's, which is another hour drive. Made it Mimi's and they were all playing Guitar Hero, game looked pretty cool but I was too curmudgeonly after getting there, to attempt it. Maybe next time?

Got down to the race in plenty of time, it only took me about 45 minutes from Mimi's. Hung out for a while with all the DCC of D folks, great to see everyone.

So, the start of the race... I started at the back, and felt good at the start along the road. So, I kept going until I was leading going into the woods! Up the hill to the tower and, "uh oh! that wasn't the smartest thing to do!" It took me an entire lap to recover from the effort to get to the front! I kept thinking about The King telling Lightning McQueen,
"...you have more talent in 1 lug nut than most racers have in there entire body, but you're stupid!" The talent part was not what pertained to me but "the stupid" part. Over and over again in my head is The King saying "You're stupid!"

I did take a little break on the first lap, a bug flew down my throat, and it did not sit so well. Yeah, I barfed a little on the side of the trail.

I ended up finishing the race just fine. Maybe next race I will "race" a little smarter.

on the rocks...

Well, I finally got out for a ride on my mountain bike. The last time I rode it was right before my car accident October 15, 2007. So, what did I decide to do for my first mountain bike ride in seven months? A race! French Creek "On the Rocks." It didn't help that I had been on antibiotics for a few days to get rid of my sinus infection.

It was really cool to have Cheffrey along for the race. I think it was his first mtb race in a bunch of years. He was a little shocked by all the people with disc brakes, 29-inch wheels, and single-speeds...

The race was relatively uneventful. I did have one crash going uphill. Two guys passed me and asked if I was alright... nothing but a bruised ego, and hand, and hip...

After struggling to make up the last very short, very slight incline to the finish, where 5 people passed me, this guy looks at me and asks, "Hey, did you just finish?" "Yes," I answer. He pumps his fist and shouts, "ALL RIGHT!! I WASN'T LAST!!!" Gee, thanks for pointing that out...

Another one down!

Whew! Just submitted my final for the Land Use-Transportation class! yippie!

Now I have some extra time to ride and work on some other stuff I've been putting off. Hmmm, I wonder how long my "honey-do" list is at this point?

Gotta go celebrate my anniversary and the end of the semester!

(won't be too much fun with a sinus infection)