Trans-Sylvania Epic: Stage 4-7

Those first few days were work... worse than work. As I lugged my bike and wash bucket back to the lodge around 8:00PM after the third stage I realized that I didn't feel like "me" at a stage race. I wasn't the only one who felt like I wasn't being me.

"What did you do with the real Dicky?

"We want our old Dicky back."

Those kinda things.

Sue Haywood even posted on facebook: "Wow not just a bullshitter anymore...you got game."

Meh, I have to admit I'm happier as a bullshitter. Much happier.

Back to racing.

Stage Four: 42 miles/6,500ft elevation Raystown Lake

I suck at Raystown. I've been trying to figure out why. I'm not gonna share my latest theories as they involve force vector analysis and my horoscope. Regardless, I did not defend my leader's jersey in any manner. I tried to enjoy the whoops and de-doos and just grunt out the climbs. If someone of interest came by (Elk, Sue Haywood, Amanda Carey, Rebecca Rusch, etc.) I would try to play along until they dropped me. In the end I lost almost 16 minutes to Straub, and a new stage winner emerged (Morgan Miller).

Stage Five: 28 miles/2900ft elevation Mini-XC's at RB Winter Park

This stage offers four mini stages, mostly downhill with a slight uphill start. It would be hard to make up a lot of time, but if you flatted it could cost you minutes in the overall. Everybody went at it pretty hard from the start of the first timed section, and I was about to enter the downhill in second position until I fell over in front of Straub and just about got run over. I hung it out trying to catch up, but I ended up ripping my Rampage front tire, and I had to nurse my fluffy 2.35 marshmallow to the bottom.

I thought I got the leak to seal, but on the climb to the next start my tire went flat again. I went to throw in a tube, and while fixing my shit in the tall grass I lost my skewer end. Somehow I had thought to pack a spare in my prototype Tülbag, and I was up and running with 30+PSI up front. That did not work out so well. I was bouncing all over the place, and I lost a shit ton of time on the second timed stage.

I decided to not bounce down the trail on mini-stage #3 and #4, so I lowered the pressure significantly. I managed to lose less time, and I also got in front of Grig and Cush (slowing them down and entertaining them in the process). Thanks to Grig's dropped chain on the first mini-stage he ended up third, 14 seconds ahead of my fourth place on the stage. Morgan Miller once again won the day.

Stage 6: 38 miles/5300ft elevation Rothrock Tussey Mountain

Big day. Best day of riding all week. I hung on to second place behind Straub on the first descent, but got caught by Morgan at the end. I had a bunch of rotor noise, so I stopped to address it. I failed. I watched as Morgan pulled away, and when he could see Straub in the distance, he shot forward. I dope-itty-doped my way over the rocks, shredded the gnar on the ridge, and busted my ass trying to drink on a really fast downhill section. I came in third behind Morgan and Straub.

There was beer at the finish. It was only 1:00PM, but it seemed like a good time to start. I still had an eight minute lead over Morgan in the overall, and with the final stage being only 26 miles I figured it was fine to enjoy the evening. More beers while sitting in the creek, more beers with Josh Patterson on the porch, and a few to go over to the awards ceremony.

photo cred: Colt/cyclingdirt.org

Last year all the single speeders rode the last day "drinking parade" style. Morgan was the only one that none of us had talked to about a repeat performance, so I approached him after dinner.

"Are you racing or drinking?"

"Racing."

"Fuck."

I did not let that alter my game plan. Back at Eagle Lodge we had a kicking campfire and a fridge full of beer, so we stayed up late, drinking and laughing.

Stage 7: 26 miles/3,360ft elevation Bald Eagle Little Poe

I woke up feeling a little rough, but I managed to get my shit straight before the start. I stayed close to Morgan keeping a close eye on him, and on the long, rocky Jeep trail descent I made a pass. I was stoked to think I'd keep my gap, but my aggressive behavior on the descent had a price. I flatted... in front of Morgan... and he saw it.

Meh.

I was calm as I tried to get it to seal, and even calmer when I threw a tube in. Eight minutes is a long time, but I knew he had the mental advantage of seeing me flat while I had the mental disadvantage of being the "flatter." I was also left in a no-man's land behind the serious racers but ahead of the party pacers. I chased alone, sprinted around the lake at the finish, and checked the time.

I lost almost ten minutes and my second spot on the podium.

Meh.

I shoulda just went out with the parade pace party. Born to bullshit.

More TSE tomorrow.