Thanks to HMBA members for posting the pics below.
Following a week of heavy rains, the trail wasn't holding much water by Sunday; however, the roots and rocks remained dangerous & slippery. While some of the group started with the fast "A" wave (Mike B. & Sean O.), the rest of the gang started in the slower waves. With temps hovering around -30 degrees....ok, ok...it was more like 34, but this early in the year near-freezing temperatures feel pretty darn cold....our group opted to take the paved, steep hill in lieu of the Pine Loop to help warm our fingers and toes. It worked!!!! For about 60 seconds. When we rejoined the rest of the participants, the cold crept back in our bones.
I witnessed 3 crashes before one of our own went down. Melissa, on her new fly Cannondale Scalpel, slipped on a rock and ended up with a nose bleed. Below is a stock photo of her new ride. Complementing the pink accents on the derailleur, she added some pink grips, saddle?, and water bottle cage. It's SO pretty (and LIGHT! Weight Weenies beware).
Reaching the top of Hesitation Point, our group further split into smaller ones. Still--the cold did not leave our bodies. I guess some of us (me) weren't riding hard enough.
After some cookies and bananas, another team member, Matt L., slipped on one of the aforementioned slick rocks when his back wheel slid out during a slow technique. He managed to catch himself on another rock and broke 2 of his fingers. OUCH! While it's OK to cringe at the thought of his pain, note that he and Mer returned to the park after the ER visit to eat some BBQ pork. Mmmmmmm. I don't think it helped his pain, though.
The rest of the boys came rolling in a little later. The reports indicated lots of peanut butter mud and slick conditions beyond the park that sucked the energy out of the legs. It was a rough but fun day! Congrats to Sean O'Donnell for completing the 100-miler. Did anyone else go as far?
Meanwhile, team member Denny Barber was showing his cyclocross skills in the Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series. Does this mean he's IN or OUT for next year's racing???? We're all guessing IN. Make us proud, Denny!
The Breakdown wasn't the end for some. John C. represented the team this past week at the Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race with great results. The first day is a 4-mile prologue with 3 more days and 126 miles to follow. Oh yeah--and 31,000 feet of elevation gain total. Yikes! We're looking forward to hearing about that adventure. For a preview, check out the video of this pre-ride of the course:
Happy Riding, all!
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