Yargo 12 hour MTB race, A (very) Dirty Spokes production

Becky and I signed up for the 12 hour co-ed duo and brought the singlespeeds for a day of fun. We parked the truck, registered and set up our site. Space along the race route was limited so we were left with a spot about 100 ft off the course. My brother Dave and his oldest son, Big E, showed up for the race start. I lined up in the back, not to concerned about my starting position,mistake. The race started with a parade lap, and I slowly worked my way forward. 3 minutes in and we hit the singletrack. My poor starting position left me behind a large number of geared riders, who didn't understand the finer points of singlespeeding, like space, momentum and momentum. I know the course quite well and it is a SSers delight. Lots of drop ins and swoopy singletrack that when hit at speed and minimal brakes can equal tons of fun. Behind geared riders I am leg pressing, track stand, leg press, track stand. We hit some small uphills and I make my break for it. I easily pass 10 riders in less than a minute. More climbing and more passing. Now I'm moving along at an acceptable pace. I catch another group of riders. I didn't want to be a jerk, but I got the feeling some of the other riders were unsure how to pass or how to get passed. I just started shouting "pick it up boys" and "open it up through here". Riders started getting the message and would either move over or pick it up. The course was a little muddy in spots from the previous nights rain, but the once it got packed in it was going to be fast. I came in from the first lap, put the chip on Becky's leg and off she went.
I hung out with Dave and Big E, then went to the start line to wait on Becky. I didn't even have my helmet on and Dave yells "here she comes." I throw my gear on take the chip from a smiling Becky and take off. The course is now smooth and wide open. I rewarmup and get in a groove. I may go 2 laps I am feeling so good. I pick off one carrot after another. I pass one guy who wouldn't yield the trail after I asked for a pass. I just sprinted by at first chance, he had earbugs in and obvioulsy couldn't here me. Music's a little loud bro. I joined up with another SSer and we were cooking. Then the thunder rolls and the heavens open up. Torrential downpour. We continue to ride hard on a flowing creekbed. We pass a bunch of riders who were questioning whether to continue. The rain stops after about 3 miles, but the damage is done. The trail is underwater. We press on to the finish. I roll up to Becky and and let her know, "This is going to suck".
Becky has limited mud riding experience so I was curious to see how it would go.
Lap 3: Mudfest
Becky rolls in as I stand and wait listening to stories of riders who just finished. One guy says he passed a girl on a SS who had hit 5 trees and was crying. I was worried for a second and then thought, Becky doesn't cry. She rolls in and the only thing clean was her smile. I take off, mud, mud, mud. Finish and Becky is ready for her third lap. She rolls in dirtier than the last lap. She says she is done and I don't blame her. I tell her we are in 4th and 3rd is in reach, get the lights ready for my night lap and some food. Lots of food. I do another ridiculous mud lap. Spin, spin, mud, mud, climb, climb, spin, spin. I complete our 7th lap, check the standings. I would have to catch 3rd place, who were out on there 8th in order to podium. I asked Becky " you good?" she responded "yah". I agreed. I had some energy left in the engine, plenty of time, legs were spent so we conceded. The 5th place team did another lap and passed us. We ended up in 5th out 8. I would have had to ride 10 minutes faster than my previous daylight lap to podium.
Who cares? My big brother Dave brought wings, a pub sub and beer. I made the right choice.
Becky, post lap clean up



Post race

SirGold is a dirty boy
7 laps, 86 miles, 20 lbs mud, 1 pub sub, 2 bike washes, 4 rewashes.
Becky had the fastest lap (on square wheels, ask Hodge)

Bring on DSG... Team BockandCallSS will bestow its awsomeness on its unsuspecting victims.