Diana and I drove up to Fontana Sunday morning knowing we were in for a long day. The banquet for the overall awards started at 3:30 pm. and my race was @ 930 am. I was glad to go off in the first wave as the temperature would be slightly cooler than the 11:30 wave.We lined up at the start and the whistle blew, off we went.The start was the same as the ICYCLE, up the pavement sharp left the up the climb. I got the the hole shot and was feeling great, dabbed on the first switchback and Jeff Duckworth went around me.Jeff was out of sight on the downhill and then we hit the uphill switchbacks. These are the switchbacks you ride down doing the ICYCLE. I saw Jeff on the first switchback and could tell he was in difficulty. I hopped off my bike and walked fast paced up the uphill as it was impossible to ride hopped back on and continued to chase Jeff, third switchback caught Jeff ran past hopped back on bike and went as hard as I could, hollered at Jeff to come on and not let Joseph catch him. I did not know where anyone was so I attacked the course where I was confident and took it easy in areas I did not feel comfortable, all I needed to do was finish and I had the series, but I wanted to win the last race and the course suited me to a T.I made it back to the start finish and was told I had a minute + lead.I felt great,now it was how hard do I go(?), how far do I push? I erred on the side of caution, ran places I knew I would be just as fast and less apt to have a misshap, attacked the course in places I was most confident, my legs felt great! Back to the start finish line I had won the race and the series a great feeling! Diana was there cheering me on, I appreciate her support (the most) along with Nathan, Amber, Carolina Fatz, Jason Posey, Randy, Jimmy, Andy Applegate and Cara Mccauley(Andy and Cara for putting up with my race reports via phone on my long trips home and my goofy jokes regarding fine french restaurants). So many people cheering and encouraging,and a special thanks to all the 50+ riders that made the series so special. This is a great group of guys that trash each other on the course but are best friends both on and off the course. Thanks guys!
After the race Diana and I chilled for a while. I took a quick nap (I can nap anywhere) and waited for the awards banquet. The banquet was great. It was nice to sit down and chat with everyone and have a nice meal.The awards were presented and there was tons of swag. Like I said David and Terry do a class act!After the banquet it was on road and back home. On the way home I desparately wanted to call friends and check the results for the ORAMM, but at the same time I knew they were probably weary from a long day of racing so believe it or not I did refrain with the exception of Nathan, oh yeah and Jason. Anway we arrived home @ 8pm.
Once home Diana went to hop in the shower, I heard a scream. In the shower we found blood and feathers hmmmmmmmmmmm. A crime had been commited within the confines of our domicile.Who could be responsible for such an atrocity.
The prime suspect:
I questioned him relentlessly, but he did not crack. My next step was waterboarding, a procedure I hear works quite well, but before I could proceed Diana told me it was time for bed. Bed mmmmmmm all I needed was to crawl in bed with the remains of a clammy wet dead bird against me, cats have a sick sense of humor. I told Diana to make sure to check the bed for forensic evidence before crawling between the sheets. We both checked the bed thoroughly once confident there were no remains it was lights out and off to dream land!
OH YEAH FORGOT TO MENTION IT IS CYCLOCROSS TIME!!!!!!!!!!! GLUE TUBULARS !!!!!!!! REWRAP HANDLEBARS!!!!!!!!! PRACTICE BARRIERS!!!!!!!!!!!!YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
