Pass my.....

(More blog entries from marty)

I lost track of them. It was easy. There were so many. Some I recognized like Littleton's Dave Harkless and North Conway's Pete Ostroski. Then there was Nancy Clark. She passed me too. I don't mind being passed by a woman, even one who gave birth like two months ago.

That's the thing about this event. It's what you make. First, Krissy Fraser. She doesn't know what time she got but she had a good time on her novice run. She learned not to ride and re-fuel. Stop and then munch. But she did fine.

Then it was first time in the Glen. I wasn't alone. It was me and Handlebar Hula Hoop Girl. She kept me company while riding - and walking - the course. There are some nasty slanted roots that will not be fun at night. And there are narrow bridges, that won't be fun at night. But here's the thing. I'm in the whose idea was this phase. Have a feeling this is something I'll be glad about, after it is over.

Lots of fun in between riding. Team Rather Ski Now is in the five person cruiser class. So, we only have to take two laps each, including one at night. I suspect there are those who will do more. We shall see. The night ride will be at least a two hour affair I think.

I did a lap of 81 minutes. And Handlebar Hula Hoop Girl rode along. Though she never shut up.

Comments

Re: Pass my.....
by Ryan on Aug 11th 2007, 7:34 pm

Anyone worried about Marty? Yeah, me too.

Re: Pass my.....
by Chris on Aug 11th 2007, 10:28 pm

Ah, yes - WHIGMI syndrome - "What Have I Gotten Myself Into." As I recall, symptoms start appearing about midway through the first lap, usually in the middle of Whiplash (the trail and the neck trauma). WHIGMI becomes full blown when your teammate tags you for the second lap. You still have the dirt, body moisture and discomfort of the perinea from the first lap , and now you're going out again. Oh God, and then again. Right now I'm warm, dry, eating a late night cheese omelet and sipping some chardonnay. I know what you're thinking: "Wow, this guy has it all." True. Very true. But comfort is atrophy. In truth, I don't wish I was on course right now. But I will have no stories of near catastrophe to share at the water cooler on Monday or chain ring gashes to compare to Uncle Joe's shrapnel wounds at the next cookout, and that makes me just a bit sad. This race always makes me think of "Night Rider's Lament", a cowboy song by Jerry Jeff Walker. The chorus is... "Why do the ride for their money? Why to they rope for short pay? They ain't gettin' nowhere And they're loosin' they're share, Boy, they must've gone crazy out there." Keep riding Marty. Be crazy and proud. Unless it digresses to the point where your relationship with Handlebar Hula Girl mimics Tom Hanks' relationship with Wilson the volleyball in Cast Away. Then, please stop. Hula Girl went into the woods with a smile on her face, let's make sure it's there when she comes out for the last time.