6.6.6.

last weekend i experienced my first mountain bike endurance race.  the "sick 6", part of the "ridin' dirty" series, was held at the clearbay trails at lake thunderbird in norman, ok.  6.6 miles for 6 hours....awesome.

i didn't really know what to expect.  this is the first season i've ever competed much less ever done an endurance race.  the race started with a "le mans" start, running to my bike was not enjoyable.  given it wasn't even an 1/8 of a mile, it wore me out more than the actual ride...

my friend andy destroyed and came out with a 4th place finish in the single speed category.  one gear, full rigid (no suspension).....screw that.  i'll stick with my full suspension, thank you.  i stayed with him as long as i could until i hit some unpacked sand and took a 90 degree turn into a thorn bush and poison ivy.  after that, he was gone.

as for the rest of race, i was feeling great.  on my 4th lap and about 3 hours in,  i was experiencing some fatigue but was willing to keep going.  my bike on the other hand had other ideas.  at some point earlier in the race the hanger for my rear derailleur became bent (from another wreck).  so while climbing the steepest hill in the race, i shifted and the derailleur caught the spokes in the wheel and almost ended up pointing strait up.  i managed to get the two untangled but shifting and riding was hopeless.  from there i had to carry the bike back to the car, about a 1/4 mile.  it's one thing to be out of a race for physical problems.  you at least know you gave it your all and simply couldn't continue.  but to have your race end for a mechanical problem....... well, i was pissed (one of the less colorful words to use) to say the least.  

after that i just sat in the car and waited for andy to get done.  when the results were posted, i found out that the cat 2 winner won with only seven laps.  i was in the cat 3 solo and am pretty confident that i could have beat the cat 2 riders.  i hate to speculate..... 

oh well.  the new hanger should be here next week and i think i'll be a bit more prepared for the next "ridin' dirty" race.  the new cross bike is built so i'll be riding more road this summer and hopefully be faster for the fall "tour de dirt" series.  Lord willing, maybe i'll even win a few.  f-me, cycling is making me competitive.....

turn it all off

over the weekend i watched the movie "the day the earth stood still".  there was a point in the movie when everything electrical completely shut off.  so this got me thinking, what would happen if that were to actually take place today?  how many people would just flip out because they don't have their cell phone, or a phone in general.  how much of the world would die because they are so over weight walking any considerable distance would kill them.  we would revert back to bicycles, horse drawn whatever, candle light, camp fires......family time.  it wouldn't be the first time i've pooped out side, what about you?

to a certain degree, i really wish that this would happen.  the world seemed to have got along just fine before all the creature comforts that we have today.  all the crap we have isn't necessary it's just people are needy for things that don't matter.  

i have a job, a house with food on the table, friends and family who love and care for me anda  church family that is incredible.....i'm good.