gainesville 6 hr rumble: 1st

This past Saturday the 13th annual Gainesville college 6 hour mountain bike rumble took place.Previous years I never really took much interest in doing this race.Long drive,end of the season burnout and lack of funds where all contributing factors in my decision.Last year ,however, I made the drive up there to try and sell some raffle tickets and decided right then and there that this year I would do the race.Local,grassroots and tons of fun.On top of all that the proceeds went to charity.Sweet.

I had originally planned on doing the 6 hour race as a solo rider.Not my strong suit by any means(too short and way too fast)but figured what the hell.Then on Wednesday a buddy of mine called and asked if I wanted to do a two man team.After thinking about it (for a nano second) I agreed.Since he too is a Clydesdale we decided to enter the Clydesdale category.Our team name?"Team sand bagger."Our goal was to rip the legs off anyone who got in our way.

The day prior, rain doused all of Georgia pretty well so I didn't get to make it to the venue for the traditional pit set up and pre ride.That was ok though since I was pretty familiar with the course.I've ridden the place many times and was pretty confident there wouldn't be any surprises.Saturday morning we arrived bright and early to set up our pit.

After getting everything set up,registering and siting around waiting forever the race finally got started with the lemans start.Luckily my team mate(Big Chris) agreed to do the run.This way he could watch his son (Brady)do his first ever race.

Brady ready to rumble


Racers getting to their bikes after the lemans start



The plan was for Chris to do two laps and then I would do two.After those 4 laps we would then decide what our strategy would be for the rest of the day.

Our plan went off without a hitch,no crashes or mechanicals.Each and every lap was scary consistent with both of us doing 30 minute laps for the 6 mile loop.In the end we ended up with 11 laps.Even though we were in the Clydesdale category we ended up riding more laps than any other two man team out there that day.Not too bad.

Couple pics from the day.

Podium shot


My team mate "Big Chris"


Me making my way through the field portion of the course.The combination of 30 mph winds,soft ground and thick grass made it a struggle.