Scenes from the lead pack, 15 miles into the race... Photo: MG
Another shot from the lead group paceline. Photo: MG
Headed for carnage, just after passing through the intersection at 40th and Davey Rd.
That's my right knee touching down at 23 mph, after touching wheels with the rider in-front of me. This set off a chain reaction crash behind me that, while scary, turned out much better than it could have been from an overall injury standpoint. Photo: CVO
Feeling like my day was over at that point, all I really cared about was getting the other riders back on their bikes and rolling. Photo: CVO
Jay Thomas was the final rider, aside from myself, to get back underway. I appreciated Jay's calm composure though the calamity. Though visibly injured, Jay's focus was clearly evident as well. Photo: CVO
My Salsa La Cruz Ti was pretty twisted up from the carnage. Using a 3-way "Y" allen wrench out of CVO's trunk, we were able to get it straightened out, for the most part, and after about 20 minutes of work, I was back on the road.
There was a little road rash on my elbow...
And a little more on my leg (more in places I couldn't show you)...
But in the end, the crash made for a day that was a lot lower key than it was when I was riding in the lead group. I rode alone for a lot of the day, or with cool cats like Mike Johnson, or Adam Blake, both from Iowa. And while I was super shelled at the finish, at least I finished. Officially, I was credited with 25th place, which is fine. I can't complain at all about the finish, and have nothing but thanks to give to Cornbread, CVO and everyone else that helped put the Gravel Worlds on this year, and also to everyone at Salsa Cycles and Cycle Works for their support this season. I'd also like to thank Rob Versteegth at Oakley in Iowa for his continued support.Look for my full report and story to-come in the next issue of Adventure Monkey -- the Magazine.
