No! I'm not racing. I just have a vested interest in
this race series as I helped work on the new trail
section. I was on my way out to offer an extra set of
hands to help out with.
So let's see... It was windy ('bout 20-25mph), then it got
cold ('bout 38F), then it started to pour rain. Perfect
racing weather! Then the rain turned to sleet. As I was
driving out to the trailhead I said to myself "Self? What
kinda idiot would go out racing in weather like this?"
To which Self replied "Probably the same kind of nig-nog
that would go out and stand in these conditions just to help
them at the race!"
Sometimes Self can be a bit of a smartass.
Turns out my services weren't required, so I was a
spectator. I think there are two kinds of spectators: The
obligated spectator, and the voluntary spectator. I was in
the later group, whereas most of the crowd seemed to be in
the former.
By the time the race got fully under way the snow pellets
had stopped falling, and the stinging sensation on my face
dissipated into simple numbness.
There were over 40 racers, of various categories. The young
'uns had their race first. I was at a point where there was
a bit of rise following a turn and I was thinking
"Downshift! Downshift!!" but I bit my tongue, and held my
breath as they cranked away in whatever gear they were in...
I watched the first lap come through and looked to see how
they'd manoeuvre a section that'd give me trouble. There
were some dabs, and a couple of biff's, but most ground
their way along.
Walking on a race course facing the traffic is a very good
idea. The plates are easy to see coming at me though the
woods, and I was always standing off to the side by the time
the racers got anywhere near me. A couple of them shouted
out greetings to me. To which I'd reply "Hey there! Keep
going so and so...". It is hard to distinguish who is who
when they are all in their race duds. The women's category
was really neat. Almost all of them gave me a "Hi!" or at
the least a great big smile. I think that's 'cause I look so
adorable standing there at the trailside. Either that, or
really dopey. Though I personally prefer adorable.
After the race people didn't take long to pack up their gear
and take off. The few people that I talked with seemed to
think that the new trail addition was very "Twisty" or
"Turny" or "Weaving"... along those lines. They all thought
it was a fun addition to the trail though. We'll be out
cutting more trail later this week.
"Room for passing..." is a thought that keeps coming to
mind.
--
- Rog
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