No Joy

In apocalyptic literature, the number seven is used to represent perfection and completeness. Of course, in modern times 7 has also come to represent good fortune. As such, yesterday, 2007-07-07, should have been an auspicious day for a race. For me, however, 6 would have been more appropriate. Six represents falling short.

One of the unfortunate ironies of bicycle racing as a leisure activity is that when other areas of life (work in this case) are stressful, racing is more stressful as well because I get slower. Performance goes down, anxiety goes up. Add to that my personal tendency to skip meals when the pressure is on, and I tend to go flat if things are hectic. For now I am chalking up my performance yesterday to this.

The Joyride course was supposed to be five laps of tight, fun single-track. Looking at the starting line-up, I was anticipating a three-way shootout for 3rd place between Blake, Brad, and myself. It only took me less than one lap to conclude my dusty day was starting bad and not going to get better. I stopped, rested for a few minutes, and when Chad W came by I decided to ride with him. We had fun for most of a lap and then I hit a log or something and went face-first into the dirt. My head hit the ground or a stump hard enough that I had a slight headache, but otherwise no lasting damage to me. Equipment-wise, my glasses were scratched and my rear derailleur cage bent over, so that was it. Back to the car for clean-up and a few laps of envious spectating (now a two-man shootout) as I watched the others guys put in great rides.

Blake's return to fitness seems to be coming along nicely, and he managed a minute or so over Brad, who also rode well. Bart looked fit to win, but he had to stop twice for flats and this took more time than Alex was willing to give. Chad H seemed to bounce back from last week's slump and rode a strong race too.

Reed destroyed the expert classes, finishing a loooong way ahead of the 19-29ers and I think several minutes faster than the 30-39s. Bob looked poised to win the 30-39, but Tim H had more to give lap 4/4 and Bob couldn't quite pull it off. Close though.

On the way home from the race, I stopped to console myself at the Asian Buffet with all-you-can-eat Sushi (of which I can eat quite a bit). Those places should have more fruit, but as I think about it now, I don't remember eating much fruit in Japan either, except Mikan.

Next week is Snowbird. Snowbird and I seem to get along well year-round, so we'll see.