Andy picked me up @ 1pm and we were on the road to Clemson SC. We took I26 to 25 and hwy 11 to 133 then to Clemson. Needless to say there was no place to find food along the way. We ended up driving to Clemson and eating at a Jersey Mikes. This was excellent. After lunch it was back to Isaqueena Forest for the TT.We pre rode the course then lined up at the start line and waited our turn to do our TT. We started @ 1 min increments. I really sucked at the TT, I won my age group but still it was not my best performance. I thought this would be the case since I had not been on a bike in 7 days; but, I was hoping the TT would clear my legs for the XC race on Sunday.
Sunday dawned after a fitful night of sleep. Andy and I went out for breakfast then on to the venue. Nate and Andy raced first so I fed. Both of them had decent races finishing in the top ten of the pro/semi pro field. I was up next @ the 11:30 race.The temps had increased and it was getting rather warm at the start of the Grand Masters 50+ race. I started hard and was leading ~ 20 mins into the race. I hit a loose rock went down and was passed while I put my chain back on. I got the chain on and settled into a nice rhythm and started closing the gap on Jeff Duckworth.I caught Jeff but I had also pulled Joseph Botsch along. Joseph and I dropped Jeff and continued to race each other. Joseph attacked on the descent which is a fire road and you go as fast as you can pedal. Me, only having a single front ring was at somewhat of a disadvantage. Joseph beat to the single track by ~5secs. I closed the gap then on one of the bumpy section the chain came off again...stopped put the chain back on and continued to chase. Through the woods and up the hill to the feed zone. Nate told me Joseph was ~30 secs in front. I survived the fire road climb and again started closing the gap. Again same scenario bumpy section lost chain stopped and put back on!!By this time Joseph was out of sight. I attacked the course hoping to make up lost time. Sure enough a short time later I caught a glimpse of Joseph. My instinct was to go hard and catch him ASAP but I knew I would need something for the horrendous fire road climb in the blistering heat. I kept my focus caught and passed him without hesitation. It was my intent to crack him before the long decent where he would have the advantage. My plan worked, although I did not know it at the time. I continued to race but thought I could hear someone close behind. I made it to the fire road decent and started down all the time waiting for Joseph to pass me. I made it to the single track and started winding a twisting my way around the trail which clung close to a cove in the lake. Once through this I started the fire road climb. It must have been 100 deg f going up the climb. My legs felt as though they had cement blocks tied to them. I kept looking back no one in sight I continued on, topped the climb, right on to the single track across the fire road, more single track, hard and the FINISH LINE YAHOOO!!!!!! I was fried, dizzy headed, grumpy etc but I had won. wow I felt I was at death's door, Andy said this is the way I should feel after a race...I'm quitting!!!
While I recovered and waited for the podium Andy drove back to Jersey Mikes and picked up lunch. Once back we sat down had a picnic of sorts and talked of our great weekend. A great weekend spent with a good friend and friends.
Once back in Fairview the kids came over and I had a wonderful father's day. What more could one ask for. Great race, great friends and great family!!
Oh yeah back to the vacation, someone at work asked what was the most interesting thing I saw while staying on the Olympic Peninsula. I would have to say the star fish at La Push. I did not realize the starfish were so many different colors.
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