Another in-your-face, season-ending race result (!!)

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