Bedrock & Paradox

I dream of a hard and brutal mysticism in which the naked self merges with a non-human world and yet somehow survives still intact, individual, separate. Paradox and bedrock.

In the bag

PMC is done, finished, never to be again (unless someone else takes over the name). I don’t plan on living in AZ next fall. It’s too damn warm for November, shorts weather this time of year is just weird.

But really, I’m cranky because I’m sore as hell right now. Endo #2 really took a toll; pretty much everything hurts, my right shoulder most of all. Don’t do that again!

The race itself was very good. We had a diverse yet dedicated group of ten head out, all fairly seriously, to take on the challenge. I didn’t envision so many having issues finding the books themselves, and thought my directions were pretty good. And they were, but tunnel vision and different minds don’t always get together as they ought to. Results posted.

It was also a bad day for mechanicals. Many flats, a broken pump, a magic gear that lost its magic, and for me a torn tire and bent big ring. Miraculously, the 1 cm tear in the Resolution didn’t result in a flat, due I think to the same slime tube being in it for the last 3.5 months and being welded to the tire’s interior.

The highlight for me was the evening sociability: pizza, beer and the camp fire. Bike racers are just good people. Silly, but good. Hopefully I’ll be riding with Dave up in Flag soon, and Chad and Scott in a few weeks and/or next month.

Almost December? Practically. Christmas shopping, long runs, future plans. Will Camp Linda break my spirit and give me cause to buy a GPS? I’m trying to hold out…

In conclusion, putting on these things is a bit stressful for me. I like things to succeed, and while I’m content (not necessarily overjoyed with all aspects), I do want to recognize the stress it brings, and in general the way I like to do things. Look for the KMC next year to be a very low key affair, with minimal organization. A date, route, camp, and optional sign out and in are all I see as necessary features. More important questions include; who will bring the grill this time?

Dave and I did discuss a Flag race of some sort, though that will likely need to wait until spring or summer. Or just be damn cold.

To the future.

DaveC

4 responses to “In the bag”

  1. Enel Avatar
    Enel

    Is it possible for you to post the Topo witht he check points. I am interested in where you guys went.I went up to the campsite this am on my ride, but most folks had already jetted off.

    Reply
  2. Blair Avatar
    Blair

    I’m sweatin’ through my knee warmers up here. I’m thinking Calgary… 35′ today, but back up into the 50s later this week, at 22′ Yellowknife is a bit much ~ sigh

    Reply
  3. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Eric, no maps (I just had photocopied quads), but here are the locations:1: In the rocks on top of Spruce.2: In the pine needles south of the 307-377 juncture.3: Buried in a wash down by Contreras road and the moto trail. (with a six pack of beer!)4: In a cairn in the northernmost wash crossing of 62.5: Just north of the Little Granite TH.6: Buried on the west side of the road into GB, a bit off 332. This one was problematic.7: 100 meters down the wrong (north) side of 308 where it meets 345 out by Williamson Valley.8: The turnoff for the Whiskey 50 and 25, in a tree.No one but me visited #8 on race day. Team Mike was the only team to actually find #6 (it had moved about a foot left when I went and recovered it today), Scott was the only guy to hit #3 and to find #7 (Team Mike looked on the bit of 308 towards the TH), and everyone took longer than I thought they would finding every checkpoint. Que cera!I was pleased to discover today that, not only did Scott drink one Bud at #3, and carry another back (if he had carried the whole sixer he would’ve beaten Paula!!), but he also ate one of the Wearther’s I stashed in the bag, and left the wrapper.

    Reply
  4. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Congrats – looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Sorry we couldn’t make it.Forget x-mas shopping when you have the ‘net at your disposal. I haven’t been in a retail store in years. The parents and sibs always get a big ol’ gift packet from Stahmann’s – they just love it. http://www.stahmanns.com/ ;-)

    Reply

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