Open letter to the riders and results:
First a few words of appreciation to the sponsors and to the people who made this event happen- You.
Thank you for coming to the event- it is not lost on me that the event would be nothing with out those who dared to come to give their best, and to show and test themselves. The event is an homage to you, the people who came for the ride- I hope the words on the back of your number plate resonated. Thank you.
I would also like to thank those who were behind and in front of the scenes and whose help was invaluable:
-My girl, the wonder woman who is Reba Racer, who served as a sounding board for some of the more kookier ideas I had, who managed details and was the receptionist at check in- without her help the event would not have been as smooth, nor as fun. To highlight her importance I give you example A- I had been given one job by the manager of the event: hand out the twist ties to attach the number plates to the bikes. Having been struck by awe at the arrival of peopel I admire on and off the bike I stood there like a jack ass. Without her prompting- "hey, hand out the twist ties"- we may have had the event with riders riding with plates clenched between their teeth. Grazie girl for making sure I had it under control.
-The trail sommelier whose name has been withheld in order to protect the innocent: while rails on his saddle may have broken during the event, the event may have been derailed without his help on the course set up the night before.
-The builders of the trails: we are blessed with some of the best single track this side of the moon. Without their work and vision we would not have these golden trails.
-The photographers who captured it.
-The locals who gave me crucial updates on the conditions in order to make sure that this event was in compliance.
Thank you.
Like Jimmy Cliff said, "Give the people what they want"- Race results and other non sense.
Yesterday all of you showed up to some place in the woods to attempt to have your best performance on a technical and fitness testing course.
Participants came from all directions, all skill levels and many age ranges.
What was very much apparent to me, was that there was certainly some serious talent from Westchester at the event: it could have been dubbed the "Westchester Worlds" as regular XC racers mixed it up with some of the local world class level super honches who do not regularly pin the number on Sunday. It was great to see this kind of talent- although slightly disappointing was the number of DNF's by the local honches. One in particular I am sure would have been top 5 had he had not flatted- he was lucky enough to get a tube from a passing racer and still managed to finish in the top 20.
Some came in lycra. Some came in flannel. Some came with fancy carbon bikes. Others brought what they brought and did just fine. Some came with fancy hydration packs. Some just stuffed a plastic bottle of water in the back of their dickies. It highlighted that it takes all sorts to make it happen.
The experience was setup with a test down the "Monster" trail, up "Ned's", across the road to "My Favorite trail" and finishing up on the great "Rambler" trail. It was the true bare knuckle boxing that is bleu- this years course created havoc with roughly a 10% attrition rate. Not to mention that my number plates in several instances came back to me bearing battle scars from what looks like multiple crashes- [i]how do you pierce through what is the thickest plastic readily available to man for laminating?[/i]
Format: Riders set off at 30 second intervals.
With a few hitches in registration- I can only say that it was like herding cats through a revolving door as responsibilities caused cancellations, but with almost every person who cancelled a new person would throw their hat in the ring- I was unable to get the full compliment of 40. Nor was I able to fill crucial classes that make the event the event. We moved forward regardless, creating a new class, as I was unable to get 5 single speeders: The half octogenarian class that is the 40 and up. In the next couple of years I will be there with you guys- just not as fast.
One thing is for sure, winners were worthy and best efforts by all were given.
Thank you participants for your time and energy: The process, the effort and idea were all vindicated by you- I had hoped for this, a gathering of like minded people for an event in the woods.
New friends made: Check!
Old friends seen again: Check!
A few laughs: Check!
Need to create art: Check!
Fulfill the need to create bike gathering: Check!
Gracias people.
On a personal level, it was one of the best days of my life- connections made, enjoyment seen and general enthusiasm by all. I normally do not smile much, but by the end of the day my face hurt from showing my teeth in glee.
Now back to our regular scheduled programing.
-TBR.
Results:
1. Lorenzo 45.15
2. AJ 45.57
3. Lou 49.09
4. Bean 49.40
5. Pete S 50.08
6. Alex R 50.17
7. Alex P 51.36
8. Jamie 51.55
9. Phil 53.51
10. Adam 53.58
11.Roger the Racer 54.02
12. Roger 54.12
13. Ariv 54.50
14. Matt 55.00
15. Tom W 55.31
16. Double D 58.49
17. JP 59.46
18. SPP 61.39
19. P. Deak 63.17
20. Jeffro 63.09
21. Robert 64.33
22. Mike 64.34
23. Chrissy 69.52
24. Keade 70.29
25. Eric 71.42
26. Tony D 73.35
27. Massimo 80.43
28. Soundz 83.25
29. Bruise Magnet 92.13
30. CJ 114.20
