1st place - Chris -- A record breaking 59 minutes!
2nd place - Andrew 1:08
3rd place - Trev 1:12
Geoff - 1:19
Michael - 1:24
Danny - 1:31
Wayd - 1:48
Don - 2:00
Mark - 2:01
Doug - 2:03
Chain Jams, flat tires, bloody elbows and slashed shins--This was our best race yet!
We got off to a great start with Andrew returning after a two year hiatus and newcomers Geoff, Wayde, Mark and Chris ready to ride. It was clear early that Chris had some legs; after being cut-off on the treacherous switch backs under the bridge by Trevor, Chris and Andrew quickly took back the lead and soon were dissappearing into the mountains, far ahead of the competition.
Danny hit a snag early when a rogue redneck strayed from his home on Hillbilly Hill and sprang from the bushes in Monrovia park, sneaking in to jam Danny's chain just as he was trying to pass Michael; Danny then waisted critical time chasing the always elusive and never seen Hillbilly through the woods. He finally gave up the chase and borrowed the crew bike Marco was using.
After the transition area, it was to the waterfall and it was raging, all took the plunge, soaking their shoes in order to reach behind the mammoth falls in search of their soul. With heavy feet they slogged back down the trail for the second leg of the race and the dreaded Hillbilly Hill. At one point it was rumored that a Hillbilly leapt from the trail attacking the leader, Chris and sending him tumbling down the mountain side; but that rumor was later put to rest as Mark admited he had close-lined Chris in order to gain some time.
Trevor and Geoff battled it out for third place as they raced up and down the backside of Hillbilly. After climbing the first gate together, Geoff took a strong lead on the climb, but was reeled back in by Trevor Kinevil, and they touched the back gate at the same time. It looked to be a duel to the end, but Geoff jammed his gears, and took several minutes to get back going, Trevor was thankful as he continued his fruitless pursuit of Andrew.
Andrew might have made it a race with Chris, if not for bad knees and a Hillbilly knife slash causing him to have a flat tire for the second half of Hillbilly Hill. Both men high-tailed it up and down Hillbilly at breakneck and record breaking speeds.
Michael stayed strong through Hillbilly Hill, and despite being taken down by a Hillbilly and crashing on the same corner as last year, he held off the pursuing Danny, who could just not make-up the time on his undersized bike.
Wayde's triathalon training payed off, and he kept a steady pace throughout, avoiding Hillbillies and fellow racers to finish without any painful events.
Reed, Don, and Doug looked steady and strong as they conquered the famed mountain, but a Hillbilly lunged from the bushes, snagging Don's rear tire and sending him tumbling, leaving a nasty gash down his leg. We feel it was the same Hillbilly that tossed a boulder at Michael's head, causing him to crash.
Even though we've never seen these Hillbillies (cuz they move like greased lightening), the proof is in the pudding, I mean no way could gear and chain jams be user error--well maybe--but definitley no way you're crashing on the same corner two years in a row...Hillbillies, it has to be the Hillbillies.
Back at the house, and secure from rogue Hillbillies, the swim portion was smooth sailing, nobody drowned and Chis finished the race strong breaking all records with a sub-hour time.
Soon the beer and pizza was flowing and all had a great time!
Next year should be a whopper, If Septimus can get his running up a bit, and if Murph returns to fight for the crown, and Vick finally after five years of saying he'll train--does...and shows up...and if he brings last year's runner up....it could be a battle!!!
Thanks Marco, you are the man! Thanks for all your help.
