I was comfortable in the early lead Saturday at the Wagontrain 12-hour. Photo: Brooks CarvethLooking around the 'ol Inter-web today, it seems as if I'm not the only one that had a little bit of a vortex weekend... Not sure what was up, but the 12-hour at Wagontrain was about the only notable thing I did over the weekend. And then even that wasn't all that notable, except for the fact that I pulled out while leading after 6 1/2 hours of racing after hitting the ground in a corner and suffering a minor finger injury that made it painful to use the front brake. And on the tight, twisty Wagontrain course, that wasn't a good thing, so I decided to be safe and keep the rest of my body in one piece.
Don't worry about my finger though... It'll be fine. It's a little sore, but it's already way better than it was. It dislocated partially when I went down, but went right back into place, so it's swollen but totally functional. I'm sure my arthritis will be great when I'm 75... ;-)
It was a good field out at Wagontrain though. I had fun riding with Lucas Marshall and Shawn Hansen, who is now riding in the rasta colors of team Cycle Works. Nice... Good to have you as a teammate, my friend.
Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be heading up to Cable, Wisconsin for the Chequamegon 100 this weekend. I simply don't think my schedule will allow the time off from work right now. It's a good thing and a bummer simultaneously... But it is what it is. I'm OK with it, mainly because I'll be up there in June for the Salsa Sol Sessions. In some ways, I'd almost rather ride those trails than race on them... They're that good.
So that's what I've got for you on this cloudy start to Bike-to-Work Week 2010. It was a Fargo into work for me today... Oh yeah! I hope it's a great week for you too.
2 comments:
Hey MG. Good to hear your digit isn't that bad. Bummer how that stuff can happen, but at least you were wise enough to know that it was very possible you would have stacked it again because you couldn't brake properly. Funny thing about those brakes- Stoppin' is good!
Another funny thing: I could've swore your blog title said "Wacky Weed". I had to look twice to make sure!
Anyway, lookin' forward to seeing you soon! Take care!
Now that's really funny... or wacky! LOL!!! (Don't let my boss see this ;-)
But seriously, you're totally right about the braking issue, and that was really what got me to make the call to stop racing. At the speed I was trying to go through those tight trees (on a bike with 28-inch wide bars and bar ends), I was having to take some serious risks in the dark, and when about 75-80 percent of my braking power is in the front brake, the prospect of not having it just wasn't a good one. Better to play it safe and be able to come out and play another day... That's what 20 years of racing's taught me.
See you soon, G-Ted.
Cheers,
MG
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