More like 6 Hours of Brady's FUN! I teamed up with my buddy Nathan Clair to form team Darth Veda & the AssassiNATEor (which I thought would come in handy if I needed him to "take out" my competition.) We were the youngest team (ages 14 and 16) in the stacked co-ed duo class full of local stand-outs. 11 teams showed up, so our team goal was to get on the podium. My personal goal was to keep my times as close to "Bombin' Betsy" Shogren and "Flyin' Ryanne" Palermo. Nate had a great first lap, putting us in the top 3 and I maintained our position on the second lap. In fact, he didn't expect me to finish so quickly and he didn't even have his helmet or gloves on when I came through the transition area! I am grateful to have a friend to suffer with so I forgive him for adding 30 seconds to my lap time : ) Anyways, we were holding a great position after 4 laps and I was confident that I could maintain the same pace for my final lap. Just before I departed for my third lap, it POURED. The course turned completely upside down and became super sketchy. Every corner was deceivingly slippery and every wet root had the potential to become your new finish line . I could feel Ryanne's evil eye staring me down and I finally succumbed to it's power... she passed me on our third lap and I was never able to catch her. Nate dug deep for his 4th lap and we decided to end it while we were still in one piece. Course conditions had really changed and I knew it was unlikely I'd make it back before the cut-off. Either way, it didn't change our final place - 5th! We earned a chance to stand beside the coveted stumps of glory, thus reaching our personal and team goals. Thanks Nate, you da best! Enjoy the photos - this time they tell the story much better than I can! Note: I have known these women ever since I started mountain biking when I was 10. I have been looking up to them for as long as I can remember. It is amazing to be competitive with them after all these years. I have so much respect for these ladies because they are fast AND wonderful people!
1 Comment
Aunt Melissa
5/26/2014 02:50:04 am
Those are awesome pics!! Love the one of your mud knee warmers :) Never thought you'd have you dad hosing off your butt, did you??
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