Mitch and I just got back from maybe the toughest, windiest race we've ever started. There were 8 guys from the QuickStep development team and they pretty much hit it from the gun. The first group was away before we could could say Bobs your uncle and with four of those QuickStep guys in it, it wasn't coming back. There were two long sections of the course and on each one the wind was absolutely howling across the road. It was patchy weather with alternating drizzling rain and sun so the roads were wet and it was absolutely insane. Guys were going as hard as I have ever seen them go and as soon as a gap opened it was pretty much over.
I'm embarassed to say that this was my shortest race yet, despite ripping my pedal off in a previous one. I made it a lap and a half, and then droppped back thinking I had a flat. I didn't, and chasing back on almost killed me. I was sitting in the third group, absolutely suffering and I figured I'd call it early and live to fight another day.
Mitch, even in his sickened state still stuck it out longer than I did. I'm bigger, taller and covered in hair, but Mitch is defintely more manly than I am. He made it a good six laps into this deathmarch of a race, and managed to sling a few of our boys up the road before ducking out. I heard him coughing so loud in his post-race shower that it sounded like he was giving oral birth. I hope the drain isn't clogged with phlegm. Sorry. Thats gross to write about, but it was even grosser to hear and it's important that you know that Mitch is so stoked to be here racing that he'd insist on getting on the bike even if he was cross-eyed and bleeding out the ears. He's an absolute trooper and with a bit of luck he'll be back to normal in the next few days and ready to rip up some more Kermiss.
The plan now is to head to the grocery store so we're not stuck eating white bread and meat for the rest of our stay. I must be growing up or something, because I'm finally ready to eat some serious vegetables. Tomorrow we're hoping for a break in the weather so we can get in some long miles and maybe check out the French coast.
Despite some spotty weather and some humbling racing it's still just an absolute dream to be here. Thanks to you all!
1 comment:
Mitch, this was a gut-wrenching post that conveyed the heart break of bike racing more clearly than anything I've ever read. What a tribute to your depth of character if you actually try to accept your "extreme disappointment", look at it as a microcosm of life, and learn from it.
You are amazing and I'm glad Ryan has you in his life!
I'm wishing you a speedy, speedy recovery so you can live your Belgium dream for at least a few days. Kate Parnes
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