RR: PowWow from Aid Station #1

[andy aka rut]

Since my photos don't like to show up here, I figured I'd post the link to my gallery and you can look at them if you would like. It is the last album titled something like Pow Wow -08.

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/gall...er=970&cat=500


Like OMR, we (Tumbleweed and I) were up early! My alarm went off at 4am. Luckily my coffee maker has a timer on it and the coffee was ready.
We arrived at the start, like everyone else, in the dark with a light mist of water coming down from the sky. A part of me was really wishing I was out there to ride, but I was there to support this time.

After the start of the ride, several of us headed to Aid Station #1 to set it up. It took about an hour to get the swag bags arranged, oranges and bananas cut, water, Cytomax, ClifBars set up and everything else organized.

Soon the first rider came down Motorway. It was a Warrior member. I don't remember his name but he got off his bike, changed his shorts, put on his running shoes and started running up Maple Springs! I asked around and he started an hour early. He was running the middle leg of the VQ this year. His wife went to meet him at Aid Station #2, where he would get back on the bike and bike the last leg. You rock my friend!

Next was Manny and soon to follow was Fuzzy John on his singlespeed. You guys are simply too fast!

This is not what this ride is about... what it is about is setting goals and doing your best to achieve them! Pushing your body to the limit and beyond.

For all that attempted it this year....

I watched as everyone passed. Some with looks of "this is stupid!" and others with "I can't believe I'm doing this, this is amazingly awesome!!!"

Calvin and Brian ran the VQ this year. Young Troy did the Counting Coupe on a singlspeed! His poor dad was doing everything he could to keep up with him on gears. Troy is only 11 years old.

All the STR members that rode by really impressed me. I did not see one ounce of frustration, anger or bitterness. You all had huge smiles and were there for each other.

I want to bow down to Mechmann. Justin has donated the last several months to training Allison, SDYeti and Dan for this event. I have no doubt Justin could have finished the VQ is under 7 hours, but it wasn't about him. It was about Allison! YOU ARE THE MAN Justin!!!

[queenwilhelmina]

Andy, it was so great seeing you and Heather at A.S.#1. I actually picked up my pace a little on the Motorway knowing you two would be there waiting It was chilly down there, so I know you two worked hard all day too!

Thanks again!

[PacMan]

Nice photos Andy!! I appreciate the write-up for each one too. That made them that much better!

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Soon the first rider came down Motorway. It was a Warrior member. I don't remember his name but he got off his bike, changed his shorts, put on his running shoes and started running up Maple Springs! I asked around and he started an hour early. He was running the middle leg of the VQ this year. His wife went to meet him at Aid Station #2, where he would get back on the bike and bike the last leg. You rock my friend!

That was Bob Rust, bike run bike. Care to try that next year Rut? Thanks for grabbing my jacket at the start and for having it there at the finish for me. It was great to see you, Heather and Drew dog at the aid station. My rt knee started hurting up Maple Springs, this morning, both knees hurt .

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Since my photos don't like to show up here, I figured I'd post the link to my gallery and you can look at them if you would like. It is the last album titled something like Pow Wow -08.

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/gall...er=970&cat=500


Like OMR, we (Tumbleweed and I) were up early! My alarm went off at 4am. Luckily my coffee maker has a timer on it and the coffee was ready.
We arrived at the start, like everyone else, in the dark with a light mist of water coming down from the sky. A part of me was really wishing I was out there to ride, but I was there to support this time.

After the start of the ride, several of us headed to Aid Station #1 to set it up. It took about an hour to get the swag bags arranged, oranges and bananas cut, water, Cytomax, ClifBars set up and everything else organized.

Soon the first rider came down Motorway. It was a Warrior member. I don't remember his name but he got off his bike, changed his shorts, put on his running shoes and started running up Maple Springs! I asked around and he started an hour early. He was running the middle leg of the VQ this year. His wife went to meet him at Aid Station #2, where he would get back on the bike and bike the last leg. You rock my friend!

Next was Manny and soon to follow was Fuzzy John on his singlespeed. You guys are simply too fast!

This is not what this ride is about... what it is about is setting goals and doing your best to achieve them! Pushing your body to the limit and beyond.

For all that attempted it this year....

I watched as everyone passed. Some with looks of "this is stupid!" and others with "I can't believe I'm doing this, this is amazingly awesome!!!"

Calvin and Brian ran the VQ this year. Young Troy did the Counting Coupe on a singlspeed! His poor dad was doing everything he could to keep up with him on gears. Troy is only 11 years old.

All the STR members that rode by really impressed me. I did not see one ounce of frustration, anger or bitterness. You all had huge smiles and were there for each other.

I want to bow down to Mechmann. Justin has donated the last several months to training Allison, SDYeti and Dan for this event. I have no doubt Justin could have finished the VQ is under 7 hours, but it wasn't about him. It was about Allison! YOU ARE THE MAN Justin!!!

That was Bob Rust......he has done the VQ several times and is usually a pretty strong finisher....this year he did bike - run - bike.

[reflux]

Andy - I think it was to you who I gave the lost LED light. Thanks again for taking care of that.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by mechmann

thanks andy.

this morning i told allison that i might want to ride CC next year for time. she was like, what time do you think WE could do it in? she was pissed when i said that if i ride it for time, i am not riding with her!

You're a brave man.

[andy aka rut]

thanks man. At the end of the race, I gave it to Chris.

Originally Posted by reflux

Andy - I think it was to you who I gave the lost LED light. Thanks again for taking care of that.