do over...

You don't often get do overs in life. '05 in Providence was a huge learning experience. The conditions dictated every aspect of our time there. Wet, cold, frozen, sloppy to throw out a few terms. '06 was a rare opportunity for the above mentioned do over. Same venue, but what a difference! Weather in the 50's & dry the whole time we were there. See below: short sleeved skin suit, yep it was nice. (photo credit FOG).

I ran into Marshall at the Chicago airport, we hooked up again once we got there, built the bikes up real quick & headed for the venue. Same 7 mile journey as last year but not crappy weather. I'll call the ride a tour through urban Providence. We got to the course around 3 or 4 & jumped on for a pre-ride. It was awesome! So this is what the course looks like, it looked vaguely familiar from last year but it was dry & fast. They didn't change anything, why should they? Everyone felt like they hadn't seen this venue yet.

40-44 race I was in the 16th, 17th, 18th row? I can't rememeber but it was way back there. I clawed my way up to a 19th place finish, ok...

35+ B race...again way back there. Marshall was in the row right behind me, the 2 of us blasted around the course on a mission to pass, pass, pass. Marshall grabbed a 7th & me a 9th. We had the lead group in our sites, maybe 10 seconds up the road. Another lap & we would easily have made it to the front. That was a lot of fun. I remember passing like 30 guys on the first corner after the start & then diving into a left hander by the pits & passing another huge chunk of dudes. The ground was crazy tacky & my tires were sticking like glue. At one point Marshall took a creative line & blasted through some kind of barbecue pit instead of taking the established line. Too much fun...definitely a do-over:)

My roomates...

Don't mess with this guy...

Bill & FOG representing...

I'm jealous you folks throwing down in Portland today...Midwest in the house! Good luck guys, kick some...

Later,

TK