1st Annual (?) Mellow Johnny's Classic

Rancho de Juan Pelota
Dripping Springs, TX
Sunday, Nov 22, 2009

I woke up, hit snooze, and left 45 minutes late. As I was driving the 85 miles to Lance Armstrong's ranch, it was misting/drizzling, and a bit chilly. Mix that in with the 4 inches of rain Friday, I wasn't really looking forward to it.

This isn't part of the Texas series racing, so I figured I might as well cat-up now from Sport to Expert (CAT 2 to 1). I've had six top five races this year so I had to cat up for 2010 anyway. Less pressure, plus the CAT1's weren't racing till 130pm versus the CAT2's at 9am.

This extra time also allowed me time to setup the GTDC tent, chairs and team area.


So after warming up with Brian Zettner (he's been around awhile and I figured he would help calm my nerves), I go over to stage. They called me up about 8 in, and I just moved up and to the side. Having no clue who was who, I opted to stay in the back so as not to spoil any of these expert's starts. Rookie here, just move up there I told em! I saw that a few other of my Spring CAT2 competitors chose this race as well to move up. Scott Long (2nd overall Spring) and Jason Grimes (4th overall) were lined up. Timmy, who took 1st was also there, but he's been racing expert all fall. So the top 4 sport guys were all here.

Dead last going into the single track behind over 30 riders wasn't optimal considering the mud and greasy ledges. Lot's of hike a bike (my left calf is beat to hell cuz I don't know how to cyclo-cross)! With a mere 3 minute head start over the Open Womens race, Heather Irmiger only took 4 miles to breach my 3 minute head start. She flew past me, UNREAL how fast that chica is!

Settle in and start reeling folks in by the end of lap 1, I had passed a few in my group and they repassed me going thru the start finish, only to go to their cars, I guess they only wanted 1 lap. The expert 50+ winner Pete Stewart passed me right as we dropped back into the single track for lap two. That means it only took him 8 miles to breach the six minute gap. Wasn't another 3 miles or so and the first PRO lapped me, yup, the PRO winner Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski flew past me, and right towards the end, second place PRO Bryan Fawley went around. I was sooo stoked that Lance Armstrong didn't lap me! WOO-HOO. Found out later he flatted early and DNF'd. So does that mean I beat LANCE???



Few.Fast.Dirty.
/jt