Santa Cruz , Ca to the COOLEST 24 HR , COOL Ca. 5/2-3 /2009


My '09 Cool experience was incredible, I started out by blowing off registration making Jimmy Boy Northey good and ticked ......I waited until like weds before the race to even reach out to him- sweet huh? - it is a ploy I play with my stomach -I do not lead on that I'm racing so I can remain free of nerves during the weeks leading into a race. I think it is hereditary - cause I r'member my sis ,Jules gettin all nervous/ excited the night before our childhood Ski trips - yakin up all morning -damn near canceled some trips -til we realized she was just getting nervous and excited to the point of getting sick...anyhoo....Tina and Ely - my newest fan and temporary support crew member were unable to muster the enthusiasm for my athletic release. Tina watched the weather but assured me that by the time I managed to borrow a Truck(Thank you Amatelli) or van or anything that might make the journey to Cool -it would be clearing, it was, by 4am race day when I left Santa Cruz it was looking like it might clear but I could'nt really see because it was raining and really foggy. The ride went smooth and I made it to the soggy site at 8:30am to the now infamous gear and car shuffle. It was shortly after making my first trip from the Truck that I realized I had brought tent poles "B" for tent "A" -so I quickly improvised and made a leen tube using a nearby fence ,got my nutrition sorted while under the shelter -it would be a Cambell's soup day for sure - I ate oats while sorting my bikes and clothing all the while it was misting but looked ominous for sure. I was getting excited ...thinking it would clear for a tacky then super fast course but that clearing never really came until ,like tuesday . I started with Duct taped booties and gore tex shorts and a rain slicker of course - I was shocked at how few people were acustomed to riding in these conditions- there are things you learn while racing - I long ago learned to be prepared for all conditions ...so most times I'm luggin extra gear and clothing that never gets touched -not this time My mindset was that I could not stop long enough to cool off or I'd buckle - it worked for awhile and the legs felt great from the minute Northey hit the gun I grabbed the wheel of two team guys, local boys- let them get about fifty yards ahead so I did not have to deal with the tire sprey, Tinker came around on one of the downhill sectons just before the bogg- we stayed together long enough for me to want to pick my own lines - I stayed away from the caos behind and enjoyed the first 2 laps immensely but the rains kept on comin and my nutrition was not something I wanted to even deal with - luckily for me the 1/2 way pit had hot frickin chili so each lap thru I went for 2 cups - I was started to really grove and catch up on my nutrition when the brake pads started fading - the next 3 laps are a blur - I could see almost none of the downhills and if I was'nt draggin a foot to scrub speed on some of those downhills I'd be done. I knew that once the pads started to wear my time on the bike was limited - I had only 9 pads -with the help of Roger Lackey I was able to secure service each lap I needed it . I began to hose off each lap and hosed the bike as well.but not much worked with I Brought both my IF singles