In the Chain Gang

I have never broken a chain in a race. Not in my years racing Xterra, Mtb, road or cross. I have often thought myself lucky, because it is such a complete ending. I was lucky, until Saturday.

I, like many of the guys, fell in love with the Westminster course last year. it is fast, techy in spots and super fun. I was really looking forward to giving it a run after a good weekend of racing last week. Boulder Racing races are tough for Breeze and I as we are always doing the Breeze Bars table at the venue. Saturday was no different and I found myself with Breeze on course, riding the training, while explaining the fine points of Breeze Bars. I headed to the start a little unprepared, but I figured I could make it further than the 15 feet I made it without incident last year. I was right, barely.

We came out of the start well and hit the grass in a good spot. On the first chicane, Pete Weber went for the inside only to find a tree in his line. He bobbled and a couple guys went down and we were stacked up. I was in a huge gear from the start and made a terrible choice to try and stay on the bike. It would have taken 10 steps and I would have been clear, but I chose to try and ride it. The problem was I was in that big gear and when I tried to go, I snapped the chain. Done.

I went to the pits looking for Breeze's bike, but she wasn't done with it yet, we were only 3 minutes into the race. I found her warming down and mugged her for her bike and headed out. I was at least 3 + minutes down, but I was going to race. I did race, I caught a few people and was turning good lap times. They were a couple of seconds slower than my normal companions, but on my wife's bike and alone in the wind, that's pretty good. I rolled in 27th, not bad, but not good. I was however, to watch the race unfold and watched a huge performance by my man Josh Whitney. He was right there all day and took 11th. Summerhill took the win and JHK and Allen Krughoff rounded out the podium.