I am finally home and putting things away and at the same time watching Sunday Night Football. I arrived about an hour ago and sat down to enjoy yesterday's winnings a big sandwich from Starky's. Starky's is a sandwich shop in Bozeman that makes a pretty big and tasty sandwich. More of that later. I thought I would get out a blog to announce a winning effort and what I had to overcome tin today's Cyclocross race. I better get to the story because I still have chores (grocery shopping) to do tonight.
I left off from my last blog as the sun went down in Big Sky and I was about to head out to find a camping spot. Well I did find a camping spot but only after climbing about 4,000 feet into the mountains. The snowy peaks were right next to my window as the partially full moon lit them up for me to star at and fall asleep. I awoke to a pretty frosty morning and a big trip down the hill to the road back to Bozeman.
After a small stop at McDonalds (hey it worked for me yesterday) I arrived in Bozeman to look for a little park on Main street. I found it without getting too lost and again i arrived early. I took Marcy for the run around the course and she gave it a big paws up. There was one interesting section where you had to dismount and run down some layers of rail road ties. The terrain included everything but mud. There were sidewalk sections as well as a small hill climb.
At the beginning of the race I felt a little uneasy and told myself to just go out and have fun while at the same time try to keep with the leaders as much as passable. I was also nervous about my chain dropping problem. The race started and the pace seemed reasonable. It seemed that no one wanted to go out on their own so I took the lead. Later on my competitor said that I passed so fast he decided he couldn't follow.
I did not feel as strong as it appeared and the usual hard breathing and pain arrive right on schedule. I attacked the first hill climb and zipped across a street. I kept getting lost and I could feel the competition catching up. I was like a confused rat. I jumped off my bike to do the run down and heard a weird clinging sound. I thought, "shoot there goes my chain again".
I put the bike down and the chain was not off the ring so I jumped on and peddled off. The clanking got louder and louder. Obviously I had broken a spoke. I was very disappointed that I finally had a chance to win and I would DNF. I rode on.
I rode as if nothing was wrong because what could I do. As long as that back wheel would turn I would peddle on. On the next lap I went to the climb hard and the spoke went into my chain and derailed the chain. I put it on. it came back off. I lost about 15 seconds messing with it trying to get it all working again. Finally I got going again.
Each lapped I prayed that the wheel would hold up. I caught and passed numerous A racers and on the one lap bell I felt like I was going to win. I rode it in and felt very lucky the back wheel held up missing spokes. Lucky for me the spoke wrapped around the other side away from the chain ring and I was able to keep going. I won the race!
This race was not as lucrative as Saturdays race but I did get a new floor pump. It would of been nice to get gas money. The big reward was finally getting some results for this seasons hardships. I calibrated at Starky's with a big sandwich. I was able to get two sandwiches, some tea, a bag of Boulder Chips, and 2 monster cookies with my gift certificate I had won the day before.
Unfortunately I could not find a wireless hot spot to blog earlier so I now site here blogging away and ready to wrap things up to go grocery shopping.
On the way home I stopped in Butte and drive um Montana Street and then over to the college. I was looking for a coffee shop to blog in and grab some coffee to keep me awake for the final leg home. After driving around sight seeing Marcy and I grabbed some gas and headed home.
Well that's about it! I am happy to announce a win and a second place this weekend. What is next … finding a new wheel. This one is probably done for good. I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Boneshakerbike 
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