Short Story It was a dreamy ride for about 11:30 then not so dreamy.
Long Story
Our pit was awesome. Everybody brought a piece of the pie. We had perfect support, a pro mechanic and the best spot on the course. Josh did my support and Andy from Desert Cyclery was wrenching. Those guys were on me like a rash at pit stops and I was in and out like a flash. Thanks guys - you are pros. Thanks too to Brad who brought his camera and a ton of positive mojo into our pit.
Andy wrenched for me, Bernice, Dave, Fuzzy and helped out a whole bunch of folks. He can dial a bike like nobody else
By the end of the weekend his hands were hamburger.
My race went like a dream for the first half. I had an ambitious plan and was sticking it down perfectly. Every lap I was out there I ended up riding with some friends - Chris, Dave, Rayne, Fergy.
Here are two of my favorite boyz I had the pleasure of riding with for a while.
Then on my 10th lap about 11:30pm I took a corner too tight and fast and stuck my front wheel into a ditch. That one on the left just after the cattleguard and before the seven bitches. I glanced to the right to get a check on a guy passing me on the right in the corner instead of looking where I was going. My power file has me going 19.6 mph when I hit the dirt. No rolling, just smack and stick. The guy stopped and helped me up then we both got back on our bikes and rode. I finished out the lap about 14.3 miles and 1:28 which now seems like a crazy thing to have done. I kept saying to myself - this is gonna stop hurting in a minute like I had banged my elbow or something.
Once I stopped at the pit Josh had a look at it - luckily he is an EMT too - talked some sense into me and gave me a wee bit of comfort while I had a good cry. I do cry...
Right collar bone is shattered and left hand has significant damage too. Surgery on Monday.
The toughest part of all was taking off my sweaty sports bra. Those things are tough to get off on a good day let alone with a broken left hand and finger and broken right collarbone. That took me so close to my pain threshold I nearly shouted for Andy to come in with the scissors.
The silver lining was being able to watch Bernice put down 15 laps and pull off a 2nd place. She made me proud to be her coach. Dave rode in a strong 2nd too. Nice job guys.
So that's my OP story. No big pink clouds involved this time...