Last week after Clifford Park, where my pedal fell out a couple of times and forced a DNF, I thought about some routine maintenance. Ah, the brakes could use a little sprucing up, new pads and even to be re-bled. That would have been some foresight had I put it to use.
Here are my list of excuses;
- Limited sleep leading up to the race
- Bruised rib from go-carting on Friday night
- Failed to perform routine maintenance on my brakes. This led to no rear brake for lap2 (scary at points), later it re-engaged and was on partially for the remainder of the race... no visible pads left by the end of the race.
- Improper hydration prior to race. One Grande Chai is not sufficient when racing in the HEAT and HUMIDITY.
- Excessive cramping. Riding through mud pits, climbing out of the gravity cavity and huffing a bike sodden with mud led to the worst pain I have ever felt in my legs - EVER. Yes, ever.
- Right shoe's velcro strap came undone in the thick mud. Obviously I spent some time thinking about this if I am writing about it now. I wondered if I could tuck it into the shoe somehow.
- Partially rolled my left ankle in the mud trough
- Zip tie broke on the rear hydrolic cable and swung into the tire often, requiring a dismount and small adjustment of the cable. Opportune time to clean the stays from mud once again.
- multiple times off the bike to clean mud from the rear stays
- wheels that wouldn't clean themselves of mud, needing me to bend over and glove it off the sidewalls.
- mentally prepared for a fast, dry course - WHOOPS!
- ...
- the list continues
Ok we are down to the last quarter mile and here comes this guy, SHAWN, who I resolved to not be beaten by.
Even though I could barely run through the mud/muck I summonsed enough energy to keep Shawn off my wheel and take it to the finish. Later we talked and he says he isn't training this year, just commuting 80mi per week. Pfft. I don't care, I'm not training on the mtb either. Sheesh, what a way to say you ain't got nothing.
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