ok, not sure if a local 10 mile race followed by 40 miler Michaux is a REAL doubler header, but that's what I got. We talk Tim Heck into the plan, and arrive at Shannock Valley intent to break out the tandumb for the short trail race.
Everything begins cool, a road sprint to a turn into a field.....WHAM, BAM.....our rear wheel stops turning.....WT.....???? A body goes hurling over our rear wheel, gets up and runs off with his bike. WT.....???? Suddenly it becomes obvious.....(excuse me for calling someone out on this, but this is UNEXCUSABLE riding in a race!!)....as we made the turn off the road, someone with little race experience came charging down the road full speed, was unable to negotiate the turn in the pack, missed it and T-Boned the tandumb!! Hitting the wheel SO hard it just crumpled.
Justin begins to look at the bike while I go into a public rant. The officials, EMTs, etc are afraid of my cursing mouth & just keep looking to Justin to tell them it's ok we don't need help. Finally he gives them the word, and they run away. He scowls at me......'would you calm down & shut up'....I ignore his pleas and continue while I impatiently wonder if it's permanent damage or what. A spoke wrench is doing nothing.....Justin tells me 'hold the bike'....I weakly put my hand on it.....he kicks the wheel with full strength.....WT????....the bike slams into my legs.....'thanks for the warning'......'i told you to hold it, now will you listen this time?'.......'sure'....a few more kicks and the wheel seems like it's going to wobbly turn, barely clear the frame, and we think the brakes might work.
Well, we still want to bust a move on the tandum on this 100 degree day, so on we go. Catching up to some beginners/sport riders not enjoying the hear, and some with mechanicals, including a few in the Clydesdale (our) class:-) Surprisingly, we ride most everything with the bike's condition, except a small section of the bmx course. We finish, both with a hard effort feeling so got a good workout in anyway!!!
Thanks for local race organizers, Brad B (course director), great course and set up!!!!!
Toss of the tandum to a friend to take home, we are already packed up to hit the road to Michaux......
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