The day when the wheels fell off

Subtitle: Racing when you are sick is NOT a good idea… at least when you aren’t getting paid for it.

I don’t really have much to say. I wish I had a whole solid race to evaluate the Grammo’s. I can say those Racing Ralph FMBs are pretty much the most amazing tire I’ve ridden. That predictable hook up of the RR clinchers but the grip and traction and smoothness and confidence of a tubular was a brilliant feeling. Those wheels were effective.

For a handful of pre-race laps and almost a whole first lap.

Put it this way. I was more fatigued driving home from Northampton than I was driving home after racing at 24hr of Great Glen. I had pre-reg’d for today, but today wasn’t happening. I woke up at a time when I could have gotten there to line up nicely. But no, I stayed here and right now things hurt that shouldn’t, stuff not related to bike racing. The drugs or the bugs have me flat out on the bottom.

I could tell yesterday that things weren’t good, just walking up along side the run up when I got there had my HR spiking. I haven’t encountered that since Jamestown after racing both days at G-ster. I didn’t need a power tap or a HRM to tell me my body was not recovered, not anywhere near race ready. But that course is so fun. It was amazing racing on those tires. I could corner with the little guys. Even in the slick corner that Mo lost it a handful of times, I was stuck like glue. When J-Bold and Mahk came around me I could easily match their speed in the corners, but that was about it. Call it an anti-GeWilli race. No speed in the straights, full speed in the corners.

It was great to see everyone. Cathy is right. Cyclocross is about racing but it really is more about racing and hanging out with the rest of the folks who’ve raced there. Friends. Comrades of the Cross Course. Bonding through battle between the tape.

Ah tape. How glorious it is to have race directors here in New England using Tape and stakes. So pro. Cones seem so not pro. Sure they work. But there is something defining about a stake and some tape. You know exactly where you can ride.

So now it is a battle between the bugs and my body. I can’t really get back to being ready to battle between the tape until I can win the first battle. It is the first time I’ve had a headache like this since starting to taper down on coffee.