Well, I didn't find any more small town public libraries and then when we got home, laundry and food took priority over posting! Wow, what a race. It's very strange to be around people in a continuous competitive mindset - it's all a bit more subtle.
Jeff had a good race and, thank goodness, had no injuries or major mechanical issues all week. Sure his knees are a bit sore, but compared to the range of possible injuries he sailed through! Unfortunately, on Wednesday morning it was clear that Jeff's race partner Paul was going to be too busy with his media relations duties to compete, so Jeff was left to ride on his own. The world of a single rider in a team race gets pretty murky. On Wednesday, though he finished with a time just over 7 hours and 10 minutes, he was given the 12 hour disqualified time in the standings. Luckily (in a sick way) they let him keep racing for the rest of the week but he picked up an hour penalty at each of the feed stations, adding another 12 or so hours to his overall time. There were about a dozen other riders in similar positions, and let me just say that the desire to finish this race is boardering on the fanatical! There were people riding on with bronchial infections, broken collar bones, mid-range fevers.... geesh!
Given all this determiniation it was stunningly inspiring to see them all try so hard. Almost everyday I found myself in a position to help people out in times of bad luck and I was more than happy to do it. I gave out towels and clothes to those with lost luggage, chain lube, chain lube and more chain lube out on the trails, pedals, wheels, rides home to warm beds for a few locals, etc... Although there were many times when it was clear there were problems with the race organization, people really band together and the offering of goodwill, mutual appretiation and well, simply good karma, is terrific. It was so encouraging that by the final dinner on Saturday night in Canmore even I was thinking of starting to train to try and race it next year. As a girl who has just gotten her own mountain bike this year, I think this might still just be out of my league... hee hee
I have been playing around with the video functions of my digital camera and will spend the next few lunch-hours this week working to get the perfect stills for posting. After the first few days I realised that I simply do not have enough practice with the split-second delay of a digital camera and was getting some great shots of Jeff's back after he passed by. Hence, the movies.
If you are interested in more details of the race, Keith Bontrager wrote a great diary for cyclingnews.com
Although sleeping in the back of the matrix was miles better than sleeping in the old GTI, next year I am excitedly thinking about renting an RV. Those things are really living in the lap of luxury. Warm dry beds, your own bathroom, heat, space to stretch, cook, wash dishes.... i've got stars in my eyes!
I'll post some pictures soon :)
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