Once Bitten . . .

Late Edition: I had as much luck pulling this tree out on Sunday as I did with the race on Saturday. Thanks for the picture Brad!!

OUCH, is the main word that comes in mind from this past weekend’s Snake Creek Gap Time Trial. I would say that I could have used a “spinier” gear on the back but in all reality I would have taken a motor had someone handed me one 25 miles into the course.

First and foremost I must say that the organization of 297 racers, with no lines anywhere, an early leave time for the shuttle was organized to a “T.” I will be back for more pain in the future. Nice work to everyone involved.

The single track is amazing. Really good smile inducing ridgeline riding, the last ten or there about miles were insane. Imagine taking a Stegosaurus and implanting another thousand or so rocks in his back. I would imagine that if you power washed the granite on the ridge during these miles you would have a spectacle of rock.

On the way to the race venue, David George and I were speaking the “bike speak.” One of the things I commented on was how important looking ahead and eyesight is to riding.

Eight miles into the race I had to ditch a contact that I couldn’t get back in my eye. Drunk vision commenced at that point as I was riding minimalist style and didn’t have a spare. The mud in the first few miles was pretty tough and when you would gather speed back up all the caked mud and pea gravel would fly in your face. I thought maybe I would lose an eye on this day as I have sworn off wearing glasses while I ride.

After the halfway checkpoint it really didn’t matter that I couldn’t see perfectly, I was ecstatic when I had the bike moving greater than five miles per hour. Miles 17 – 25 were still “ok” for me and I still felt like I was semi-pushing the pace. However on the last few miles I wondered if I would make it back before dark. When you see the city of Dalton from the ridge, don’t get your hopes up that you might be having a beer anytime soon.

Reflecting on the race really doesn’t do much for me, reflecting on the smack talk, church bus talk, music, festival atmosphere, sic trials move I saw from the top of a trailer to the bed of a truck, Yazoo friendliness, sweet singletrack, fast racers (not me), Kentucky Waterfall mullet and a general good time leaves a sweet honey nectar taste in my mouth.

Yazoo beer is good, thanks for the sixer Thad. I also acquired a nice new piece of wool but that is deserving of another post for another time.

Trail Karma is reaching a new all time high as I was somehow able to drag my butt and Buddy’s up to Paris yesterday for the second trail work day in two weeks. Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday!!

Peace

Pictures courtesy of David George.