Crashing is an unfortunate side-effect of bike racing. There’s a sense of impending doom about it all, an apocryphal cloud that gets heavier and more conspicuous when the authentic rain clouds appear. Bike racing could recycle prescription drug labels: WARNING: MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING INJURY OR DEATH. 2017 was one of the most … Continue reading Crash
Stage 1: Here we go! Finally.
Race day began early. 6 am to be exact. Al pinched my Aeropress the day before and hadn't returned it which forced me to down more sugar coffee than I would like to admit. Even Ben, who admittedly drinks vile coffee, said he would rather drink instant coffee than what’s served. Cafe 43 instant coffee … Continue reading Stage 1: Here we go! Finally.
T-1: Rule 4 meets Rule 2
Cliffhanger alert! Today was not relaxing and we knew that going into it. Back it up to the previous day's nightly meeting, Tomaz had passed out a bunch of race gear and filled us in on the following day. By the way, if anyone wants a Qinghai race backpack, a 2XL polo, a 2XL rain … Continue reading T-1: Rule 4 meets Rule 2
T-2: Not A Lot
Today was your typical pre race day. I woke up around 8 and punched out an Aeropress before going to breakfast. This turned out to be a real win because the ‘coffee’ machine in the dining hall spits out 1 part milk, 1 part coffee, 2 parts sugar. After breakfast, we gathered for a short … Continue reading T-2: Not A Lot