Nice day

The race at Bedford was the most fun I've had in a race in several years. Even though I didn't place well, I had a ton of fun and felt for the first time in a long time that I was riding somewhere near par. The low humidity made for some really tight races among the classes and I heard a report that the top three in Clydesdale were within a minute or two of each other. The good news for me is that they were only about 20 minutes in front of me after 2 hours of racing. That's only 2 mph or so and I feel that this time next year, with any luck and if my will holds out long enough to get in some winter training time, I'll be averaging 10mph laps again myself. I was riding somewhat conservatively and not taking undo risks. Of course this doesn't win races but I decided that I stand a better chance of climbing back into the ranks if I survive intact and walk stuff I used to ride almost as a challenge to myself by the course designers. The course at Danville is coming along nicely with only a few lumpy fresh cut sections this year and a reasonable distance. It was good to see some of my former competitors and long time riding buddies show up for this one. I actually think Steve is faster now than when he raced me a few years ago in a maddening side by side slug fest up Poor mountain that had us doing the slow crawl for the better part of an hour within a few feet of each other. I paced him for much of the first lap this week before deciding I better shave off a bit more effort in order to have a good second lap. (He really got away but my version sounds better)

After the race some folks may have notice me skipping out during the awards. I STILL had that gift certificate to spend at Bikes unlimited so we headed out a bit early to find the shop. I ended up buying an overpriced All black Live strong Giro Atmos helmet with my winnings to replace my broken Specialized M1. Then I stopped in at Blackwater and of course found an M1 there for 69$. Pfft. I tried the new lid on my road bike today and it fits good and seems to breathe ok.

I'm having software trouble with my digital video importer so I have no pictures at the moment. Hopefully I can get it working before I lose interest.

See you at Poor mountain!
Ray

p.s. ed: it was at Bedford not Danville as posted previous. Danville sucked hot hellish wind.

Racing again

It's late andI'm tired but I have time for a quick update.

Jerry is not racing this year because he's concentrating on School varsity track/XC and Honors AP and college classes and is xurrently happy with his parking place in the #9 spot in the school parking lot. He is not happy with a 200 page research paper due this fall. Thats a book not a paper! Recent wins include a team win both boys and girls at the first xc meet and a 4th in class finish at a charity event in Winston Salem. He did some sports reporting for the local stuart paper over the summer but discovered he hates deadlines, picky editors and coaches that don't cough up the info they promise.

quick update: I'm racing again but am a mere shadow of my former self.

MW:I did my best but the heat got to me some in the second lap and I gave up 3 spots. I didn't have 30 days total back on te bike and the new bike wasn't handling good yet either. I'm happy to report that I rode all but the first river crossing and I didn't even try on that one. I was 7th out of 8 Clydesdales. Not great but it's a start. Looking at the times I was actually on my novice(1 lap) pace both laps. The big guys are fierce this year!

Danville: was a horror story told and retold by myself and many others. I nearly passed out a few times, managed to not puke though others did, got really stinky hiding out in polluted streams to stay cool and took 4 hours to go 20 miles in the 100+ degree heat. I was sick and bloated and my brain was not functioning well by the end but my ear for free food picked up on the abundance of uneaten sandwiches and I scored at least 4 of them on my way out. Several were gone when I got home. I was barely not last again...two guys dnf'd. One was due to a taco. Mountainbikers are a tough lot. I was shocked to find that most folks finished but none were happy and Chris was apologetic. I look forword to a shorter there race next year. I must note that Josh Draper dnf'd. wuss...you better have had three flats or could see bone.

Lynchburg: Kids go back to School...colds come home. Patrick co. went to school a couple weeks before everyone else so they got the colds early. A One hop later and I got a high fever one day before the event. It broke at 7pm and I started drinking gatorade like crazy in hopes ot hydrating well enough to ride. Must have worked because I finished it. I was not however at all interested in racing and just enjoyed the day on what has always been my favorite course and locals.

If anyone gets my cold there is no way you can prove you got it from me since your kids went back to school too. LOL

snot you later.

Ray