Another great weekend of racing. Lots of drive time but with Jonell, Jens, Jake and I it was fun. A full recap in the skinnyski report later this week. A few highlights: On the way over, two hours to go to Marquette, Jonell says "I'm not doing this again" She was going stir crazy as was I four earliers with the crazy traffic from Wadena to Duluth. Duluth to Marquette was much better for me who did all the driving.9 hours on Friday!!
At the start of the Ore to Shore Soft Rock. I didn't expect to see Sam and Eric.... Steve W rolled on up as well to take some pics so that was all cool. Jonell and I started out conservative and in retrospect we should of gone to the front because we had to brake on the downhills on the pavement, (worried that we were going to pass people which does'nt make sense) before the dirt but the race is plenty long so we played it smart. No mechanicals, no garage sales and caught a bunch of riders at the end. We ended up 32nd overall and the first tandem across the line. There was another tandem out in front of us and they flatted which was too bad. Would of been interesting to see if we would of caught them. Jake was 59 seconds in front of us, taking 28th and second in his age group. For not having ridden all week and a road type course, he had a great race.
Really, these guys are pretty nice don't let the picture fool you. Super, super dusty and sandy this year. The times were off 10-12 min from last year because of the loose conditions. You probably read that
Doug got off course which is a big bummer. "I'm cursed at this race" Doug said. Sam had a great race nailing 8th and
Eric was up in the fourth spot and had a bunch of mechanical and did a off road tour in Marqutee country which included some duct tape.
Jonell loved this cheering section. I think it was the pink she was drawn to. They provided some nice encouragement during the race. After the race we had to take a picture with them.
Drove back through Duluth. Had some Chinese (yikes) hung out for a couple hours then back to the cities and crashed at Jonell's sisters then race at Welch. Jens gunning it in the kids race. I guess he almost took out Eric after the first lap in our race. Sorry about that. I told everyone at the start to watch out for him. Jake started out the day in rough shape, throwing up in the morning, on the way to the race and then I said "Jake, you don't have race" Jake toughed it out. First lap was okay but cleary having a off day. On Lap 2, when he came through, Jonell and I said Jake, don't worry if you don't finish. He said the singletrack was fun and was just going to ride. Well, he got maybe half way through the lap and started throwing up again. Once again Matt Johnson came through on the day and stopped to help get Jake back to the finish. Thanks very much Matt. I had the best start in my life, and was out in front for the prolouge lap and stayed up at the front. Took tons of mental strength to hang on. Thankfully I had Ben Moore to dice it up with and we took turns pulling each other through. The legs felt super but my top half was just tired. Just haven't been getting the sleep like I should.THe first lap we drilled it and I knew I couldn't hold the pace but Sam did putting the screws to all of use. Top of the first climb on the last lap I attacked to see if Ben would respond and it was just enough to get a small gap and top of every climb I went as hard as I could to add a few more seconds. Those Suicide hill sprints I have been doing during the summer are starting pay off.
Bruce was at Welch taking great pics once again. Thanks Bruce. Supper back at the in-laws and then stopped in St Cloud to pick up a nephew. Jonell drove home last night, and we finally rolled in around midnight. With Reagan and Jake's friend Shea in the car, it went by quick. We stopped at DQ in Staples and the kids were running around the store to burn off some energy. Hopped back in the car and next thing this big guy is pounding on my window and yells at me "you better teach these kids some manners" I just looked at him with blank stare. I could of said something, like we have been in the car forever with 4 kids but I just stayed silent because you never know in this day and age.
At the start of the Ore to Shore Soft Rock. I didn't expect to see Sam and Eric.... Steve W rolled on up as well to take some pics so that was all cool. Jonell and I started out conservative and in retrospect we should of gone to the front because we had to brake on the downhills on the pavement, (worried that we were going to pass people which does'nt make sense) before the dirt but the race is plenty long so we played it smart. No mechanicals, no garage sales and caught a bunch of riders at the end. We ended up 32nd overall and the first tandem across the line. There was another tandem out in front of us and they flatted which was too bad. Would of been interesting to see if we would of caught them. Jake was 59 seconds in front of us, taking 28th and second in his age group. For not having ridden all week and a road type course, he had a great race.
Really, these guys are pretty nice don't let the picture fool you. Super, super dusty and sandy this year. The times were off 10-12 min from last year because of the loose conditions. You probably read that Doug got off course which is a big bummer. "I'm cursed at this race" Doug said. Sam had a great race nailing 8th and Eric was up in the fourth spot and had a bunch of mechanical and did a off road tour in Marqutee country which included some duct tape.
Jonell loved this cheering section. I think it was the pink she was drawn to. They provided some nice encouragement during the race. After the race we had to take a picture with them.
Drove back through Duluth. Had some Chinese (yikes) hung out for a couple hours then back to the cities and crashed at Jonell's sisters then race at Welch. Jens gunning it in the kids race. I guess he almost took out Eric after the first lap in our race. Sorry about that. I told everyone at the start to watch out for him. Jake started out the day in rough shape, throwing up in the morning, on the way to the race and then I said "Jake, you don't have race" Jake toughed it out. First lap was okay but cleary having a off day. On Lap 2, when he came through, Jonell and I said Jake, don't worry if you don't finish. He said the singletrack was fun and was just going to ride. Well, he got maybe half way through the lap and started throwing up again. Once again Matt Johnson came through on the day and stopped to help get Jake back to the finish. Thanks very much Matt. I had the best start in my life, and was out in front for the prolouge lap and stayed up at the front. Took tons of mental strength to hang on. Thankfully I had Ben Moore to dice it up with and we took turns pulling each other through. The legs felt super but my top half was just tired. Just haven't been getting the sleep like I should.THe first lap we drilled it and I knew I couldn't hold the pace but Sam did putting the screws to all of use. Top of the first climb on the last lap I attacked to see if Ben would respond and it was just enough to get a small gap and top of every climb I went as hard as I could to add a few more seconds. Those Suicide hill sprints I have been doing during the summer are starting pay off.
Bruce was at Welch taking great pics once again. Thanks Bruce. Supper back at the in-laws and then stopped in St Cloud to pick up a nephew. Jonell drove home last night, and we finally rolled in around midnight. With Reagan and Jake's friend Shea in the car, it went by quick. We stopped at DQ in Staples and the kids were running around the store to burn off some energy. Hopped back in the car and next thing this big guy is pounding on my window and yells at me "you better teach these kids some manners" I just looked at him with blank stare. I could of said something, like we have been in the car forever with 4 kids but I just stayed silent because you never know in this day and age.
2 comments:
Jay, I got three sculptures for you and a Mining Journal. You and Jonell made the front page, well it's a little picture, but you made the front page! I was thinking you would come through St. Cloud, should of called up your parents to get a number for you. I'll get the sculptures and paper to you soon, somehow.
Great racing this weekend!
Kyia
Thanks! Yeah, I didn't even think about hooking up with you guys. I didn't know when you would be back in town. We have the nephew and at some point they will be coming to get him. You know my sister in law has the Platos Closet in the Cloud there. I'll keep you posted. Nice racing yourself. Good to see the smile and laughs once again upon finishing. Thats whats its all about....I'm sure the $1100 will come in handy though.
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