Cowbell Damage Report

After the Cowbell it was time to assess the damage done to both me and the bike. Apparently my Thomson faceplate figured out a way to get to the rocks on Saturday:

I have another faceplate laying around, but I think I'll leave this one on to remind me of the good times.

As I went over the bike I noticed my rear tire was low. I stuck it in a tub to check for leaks, but I never saw any air bubbles. Looking closer I saw the tell tale Stan's burp sputum on the sidewall, and I remembered rolling off the side of one of the skinny bridges early in the race. I put a gauge to the tire, and it came up with 10.5 PSI. Now I am more convinced than ever that my brain had actually melted because that means I never realized I was rolling around with incredibly low pressure for hours. I knew I'd suffered some brain melt, as Big Worm told me when I was quitting/not quitting I wasn't speaking clearly and quite possibly another language. Even when I got home The Pie said I was slurring my words. I was wondering why I had such great traction going up that final loose, rocky climb on the last four or so laps (and also why my bike felt slower than normal).

How am I doing?

This is bending nicely again (as if I had a choice with my line of work). It's still sore and a little swollen, but nothing that won't be healed up in a week.. I think. My shoulder is still sore and I think the stress of the race gave me a nice cold sore and a swollen lymph node. Definitely the signs of making great bike race.

Even with a Master's podium I'm still a bit disappointed. The wreck took a lot out of me, and I faded away from folks like Dejay, Eric Hagerty, Dave Hall and a few others I had my eye on. My lap times were downright miserable after the fall, and... blah, blah, blah. Wrecks happen, and I need to get over it I guess. Live to fight another day and all that shit.

One week till I leave for Colorado. Nothing packed, some things still in the air, and I get to watch my bruise go away to pass the time.