Lewis Morris

Race Cap
if you read this already, skim down the the bottom

It didn’t seem hot when we went off, so that was nice. I lined up next to the dudeman who would place first and chatted up with him. When the horn went off I took of slowly, knowing that the geared guys would blow me away on the fire road leading up to the climb. I was probably 10th into the water crossing. I just stayed relaxed and watched everyone getting crazy. I knew that once the elevation started to change I would be set. I heard the sound of gears changing and I took off. I pasted Fartin Martin on the first 20 feet of elevation change with about 3 others. Probably another 3 on the first climb. Then I see Dustin. He kind of reminds me of the random guy you would see on the side of the road who says insightful things. He helped me to remember to have fun and look good while doing it.

I settled in behind a guy from Marty’s and had Greg (who finished 3rd) behind me. I felt my heartbeat getting a little out of control so I figured I’d stay behind him until the top of the first set of switch back’s and then I would take off. Greg had the same idea and blew past me first, then I gave chase.

This would be the story for the rest of the short 4 miles. I see Greg about 400 feet in front of me up some of these climbs. He seems to be giving it his all. I tried to stay calm and feel that I can catch him after the last set of switch backs in a couple of miles. I do. We both kind of get to a stand still on the switch back and I take him on the inside of the turn. SWEET! I finally was able to pass someone mid race that put up a good fight.

I was focused. We went through yellow (the one with the log on the trail) and I was moving. I would peek back and I couldn’t see Greg. I’m home free! Bang out all these bad ass down hills.

So we pull out of the single track and I see the crowd on the fire road. I’m siked. Still can’t see Greg, but I knew he wasn’t dead when I pasted him. Turn left on the fire road, no signs. Did I really leave him back that far? We pull past the baseball field and someone takes a picture. I think the flash made Greg reappear. I can hear his bike in the distance. FUCK. SHIT. SHIT. I keep spinning my little ass legs but 33×19 vs the big ring of Greg eats me up. He passes me at about the S/F line. I’m toast. I think I have 5th place. Happy to see Bill, Lisa and Dana to discuss the events.

Come to learn Greg edges me out for 3rd. ARG! What a race. I had a great battle with him and had an awesome time.

It says I posted up a 35:18 minute lap. Gregs lap says 33:16. So I’m going to give myself a 33:18 lap, because that is what happened.

Other words
Mandi decided to race as well the night before LM. She placed 10th out of 17, which is awesome. She did a great job and showed the ladies how to throw it down on the singlespeed. Not sure if the race-bug has bit her yet, but I hope she decides to do more!

 

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The 6pm Road Ride
So the plan for yesterdays road ride turned into some intersting fun. Mandi, Dustin, Bill and I planned to do a quick 20 mile loop on mostly flat terrain. Manny decided to come along and take us up through the Sourlands for a road ride. Thank you Bill for the GPS Route. This would be the longest I have rode without “stopping” (Mandi and I did the NYC Century but stopped every 30 miles at the water stations), The fastest I’ve ever been on my road bike (lets round up to 40MPH because it sounds better than 39) and the most climbing I’ve done in a ride.

The hill beat me up. I think it beat most of us up. I did make it up the hill, but it did get the best of me. I was smoked at the top of it and felt my heart rate jump pretty damn high. I’d like to hit it once a week and recover faster at the top of it.

The last 1/3 of the ride (from Grandview Road) Was pretty much in the dark. Kind of freaky. I felt good after the ride. I felt like I never really bonked on the ride. I really want to hit that hill once a week. Just need to remember how to get out that way.

Boringggg
So since I’m not in Colorado anymore, I really don’t have anything exciting to write about. I do the same normal shit rides that I do every week, so unless something different comes up I will let you know.

(Enter what Norm would call this ride here)
I read the rules of a Death March and I don’t think its fair that the only criteria is hours and time limit. I think a Death March north of 80 is going to be ten times harder than one south of 78. This would emulate RU Chris’ ride, so I will have to collab with him (even though I have never met him). I will try and coin a new term for the little sister ride I would want to prepare. Any thoughts are welcome.

Things I’ve been thinking about for the rest month:
Is it going to you-know-what for Jorbafest?
Should I bring my bike to Jorbafest?
Am I wasting my time bringing Dustins dead bike to the Jorbafest swap meet?
Rigid or Reba for LM?
Need to learn the route we took with Wild Man Manny in the dark twisty roads of Hillsborough/Montgomery.