Also have a update on the team site
The whole family went along this year which made for some good times. We had Jake's girlfriend, Jess, along as well and Jonell's parents in caravan. Jonell's sister and her family hooked up as well, flying in to the Telemark airport Friday evening.
The race went great. Weather was perfect, and fun to be part of the racing atmosphere again. Both Jonell and I felt flat in the beginning. Legs locked up and couldn't get it cranking. We have the stamina to ride all day but the start of the short and fat is fast and furious. This year was even faster with the quads letting riders do their thing right off the bat and helped Jordan Cullen run sub 50 which was solid. Congrats to him.We rode a clean race for the first time, not having to get off our bikes to push any hills or adjust the timing change like we have had problems in the fast. I don't have the power to motor that thing but I like the challenge. Riding the bumpy non Birkie ski trail is more keeping the bike upright and in one piece than going hard. We weren't "tired" so to speak. It's a different type of expenditure, hard to explain. I ran the helmet cam for the first time and had it mounted on the side. It pulled which I thought I would be able to block out during the race but it was a bit annoying. All good learning. Jonell said next time she wants to do the 40. Might try to sneak Jon on there as well in the short and fat before he grows up too much. Having the tandem I want to race it in this race every year and would only run solo if someone else was running it (Jake and Jon!?!) One year Jake and I will do it on the 40. First Jonell and I though...
The card filled up after 40 minutes but I made a five minute clip from those 40 minutes for anyone curious what things are like a little bit.
TJ was in NewFoundLand CAN during the week and using his French Canadian to help Val score the preme parking spot.
Saturday night post race at Garmisch Inn.
Bloody Mary meal.
Once again, Sunday Funday was one of the highlights. Jack scored the balloon and helping wave the flag for the day. It would be hard to take us away from the day's activities. There are tons of sweet trail to ride in the area but if Gary Crandal and his crew put the effort to pull it off, you need to support if you can. Like I said before, back in the old days there used to be age class qualifiers for age class finals. It was great racing. Still fun action now but disappointed not to see the numbers. There was talk about Lifetime fronting a big cash purse to not only draw riders for Saturday but keep the big names around for Sunday with a big cash purse and some good spectating action. Will be interesting to see how things play out in the future. You wouldn't know any of that happened other than a Lifetime tent set up. You hate to see that happen but after the past two years Laddies Loppet, even though the numbers have been up, going to have to hit the sponsorship up hard again...or run non sanctioned.
Having fun on Sunday. The rain made no difference during the day. Jake did his first 40 after five years doing the short and fat including 3 back to back wins. Compared to most guys in the top 20, his training was pretty light as he is more in restoration mode before cranking things up for the ski season and had a solid first year attempt.
Football action Saturday afternoon. Getting Jess ready for the Powder Puff game on Monday. Even have the drain field pipes for obstacles. Jess tougher than all those guys and not afraid to throw them down.
Jon going crazy low in the limbo.
Love the crit style racing. Jon and family providing great cheering support in the spectator friendly event.
Stop in Duluth on way home. As usual, make the most of the day before getting home. We caught the naked bike stealing Barbie that has been roaming Duluth. We did a citizen arrest and brought her home to met rez Ken.
Jens and Jon in Ragstock.
Doesn't matter what happens racing...always good times when the whole gang is along.
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