So this is how it works. One race, 6 laps, two people. Each person has to do 3 laps. Total mileage 39ish miles. Mandi and I entered the coed pro class. On the line $1000.
So this is how it went down:
First lap, Me: I choked on the start and got into the woods somewhere around 20th. I struggled through the first half of the lap but by the midway point my legs had snapped back into shape. I finished up in 6th place overall second in class. Not to shabby for such a poor start.
Second lap, Mandi: In her words "I rode like poo". She could not get into any rhythm and felt if she was riding to hard for the speed she was moving. We lost two positions. 2nd after first lap, 4 after second lap.
Third lap, Me: I had my work cut out for me. I had about a minute to make up on Brad Wilhelm and fourish on Gunnar. I started my lap slow, worked into it and by the end had put about 3 minutes on Brad and maybe a minute on Gunnar. 4th place back to second.
Forth lap, Mandi: The sky opened and the rain came down, hard. The winds picked up and the temperature dropped. All of which played to Mandi's favor. She likes tough girl conditions. Mandi got caught by Betsy but she closed in on Sue, of the Sue and Justin team, the leading team. Started second, came in third, but closed in on Sue and Justin.
Fifth lap, Me: I pooped the bed, sort of. I rode well but not fast. I was struggling with an upset stomach. I didn't reel Gunnar or Justin back in but I opened up a bigger gap over Brad. I limited are losses and left Mandi in a fairly good position going into the last lap. Started third finished in third.
Sixth lap, Mandi: Before starting the lap Mandi was waiting for me in the start tent on the verge of puking. She had nothing in her stomach and figured that the last lap would be a real struggle. She was wrong, she had wings! Mandi caught second place, Sue, and preceded to ride like she has never ridden before. Mandi said she rode like she had some one elses legs.
We finished up with a strong second place showing.
The Big Bear 2x12 was an incredibly fun and challenging event. Our hats are of to Mark Schooley and the Big Bear crew. You folks but together a superbly run event in very short order. I hope it continues for years to come.
Peace, Joey
