Mama always said, “karma’s a bitch.”
I joked about first place getting a mechanical so I could catch up. Lo and behold, this bitch can’t get a break.
I got nailed—and not the fun kind.
I was setting a pretty good pace at the start, making sure I didn’t burn any matches. I was feeling pretty okay considering I woke up feeling like dogshit.
We hit Little Frenchy and started descending. Then I heard a clamor. Thinking I just bottomed out, I kept going. Then another ping. Then another clang.
I pulled over. I had a flat af rear tire.
Awesome. So fucking awesome.
I start inspecting and see a nail going in one side of my tire and coming out on the other side. I went through my shit to put in a tube. Then I go to fill it with C02 and wouldn’t you know, the little top thingy was broken and the C02 blasted out a hole that wasn’t supposed to be a hole.
Luckily, this guy (plate 443) slowed down enough to ask me if I needed anything (plenty of people asked but no one slowed down enough to hear my response). He helped me with the C02 then Jackky came up from Aid Station 1 with gels, so I threw those back while he put the wheel back on my bike.
Then I had to burn matches to try to make up time.
Thankfully, Jackky got us some hiking mountain bike shoes and those worked perfectly walking up all the gd trails I couldn’t bike.
I tried not to give up. I tried repeating the shit people keep telling me to make me feel better that I’m in second place: “a lot can happen in six days.”
They’re not wrong, but…
It’s just that the shit is happening to me. So, now I know to never joke about someone else getting a mechanical.
First place kept her position as well as lengthened her gap to 27 minutes. I know I lost at least fifteen minutes to the flat.
This race is relentless. Just when you’re feeling good, something checks you real fucking fast. Something like a bee sting or a lost gel or when your crotch feels like it’s been rubbed down by sandpaper.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom. This is Type 2 fun. While it’s pretty fucking miserable at times, I still found myself smiling at parts and seeing some familiar, friendly faces along the course.
It was also cool to talk to Mike, the Race Director of @breckepic early this morning and then see him on the course later. You can tell he puts this on because he really wants people to go out on a big bike adventure. He understands the competition aspect but he’s also passionate about people going out and having a fun time.
And that’s something I can get behind.
Stats:
Distance: 39 miles
Elevation: 6,866’
Finish time: 5:23:53
Place: 3rd
GC standing: 2nd (down by 27 minutes)
Songs stuck in my head today:
“Bad Karma” by Ida Maria
“Walking is Still Honest” by Against Me!
Good https://is.gd/tpjNyL
Good https://is.gd/tpjNyL
Been playing on h2betcasino for a bit now. The live casino games are pretty good, especially if you like that real dealer experience. Not the flashiest casino out there, but reliable. Check them out here: h2betcasino
Scratch cards always feel like a little burst of optimism, don’t they? It’s fascinating how platforms like 999PHL analyze player behavior to boost enjoyment-check out their 999phl download apk for a smooth experience! A 97.2% satisfaction rate is impressive! ✨
That’s a great point about accessibility in shooting games – often overlooked! Seeing platforms like jl boss app prioritize smooth experiences & security is encouraging. It’s all about lowering the barrier to entry, right? 🤔
What an incredible example of mental resilience! That “never give up” mindset after the mechanical disaster is exactly what separates good athletes from great ones. Just like how legend link ph app download apk users adapt to changing circumstances mid-game, you turned a catastrophic moment into a story of perseverance. Those hiking shoes saved the day!