OK,
I realize that a DNS isn’t a very hard-hitting result for the last
effort of 2012 (and for the record, I did actually “start,” twice). It
was literally quite soft-hitting. I
pulled a typical Wander at Ernie Simpson Time Trial, but I still managed to wake
up the next morning like, “Booyah, I showed up to my last race of
2012! In
your face, losers!” Here’s how this gloriously soft-hitting
season-ender happened:
While warming up I broke a cleat and couldn't clip in. I continued to warm up barefoot while a friend jury-rigged it, cautioning that I could only clip in one time before it would fail again. Uh oh, I don't know how to unclip with the other foot, so this resulted in a low-speed crash at the starting line, right in front of some of the same officials who have seen such awesome performances as Parkesburg. Whatever, the soft landing didn't hurt, and I lost my sensitivity to embarrassment at some point last year. So I took off, and my perfectly executed rest week definitely helped my leg flail extra violently when it came unclipped from the broken cleat. I didn't crash this time, but tried once more before calling it on Racing Season 2012. Ho hum. I went back to the car and ceremonially absconded another toy unicorn in the
possession of a new owner, while she was busy winning.
Closure on 2012? You betcha. Time to recover and get ready for
off-season training.
Ok I think I’m ready.
2012 Racing facts and outrageous claims:
Stupid Mishaps: 7
Concussions: 0
Money spent on fancy cycling goods and services: Less than last year.
Mental blowouts: Greater than 0 but fewer than last year.
Good individual results: A few.
Good team results: Many.
Did bike racing save the world this year? Again, nope.
Did training help to manage my insulin this year? Probably.
 |
| Despite the mishap, the beautiful course was worth the trip |
