warehouse racin, no hobo's

So the stars all aligned that I stumbled across a link a couple weeks ago for a warehouse race in Lexington, seemed interesting. The Ateam's new Lexington insider, Turpin, also had the 411 on this event. Curtlo was informed and the plan was set. Neither of us (me or John) knew if this was gonna be a blowout or 12 dufuses standin around all trying hard to look like they didn't care about looking cool, like a reverse Zoolander walk-off. But there was the promise of beer, a chance to see turpins new digs and eat his food, that was enough right there. So I packed up old blue (the single speed) complete with 1.5 slicks and a citron colored front rim, Curtlo with his Schwinn fixie, and we headed 60 miles due east.

It was not what I expected, it was more. We arrived while the silly race (an oxymoron of sorts here) was goin on. My favorite was a Stingray with a 12" front wheel and road drops. Lovin it. I saw Bill Crank and a couple others from Pedal Power and Pedal the Planet and asked for a little direction on what we were supposed to do. After signing in, Curtlo raced in the second heat with Turpin (who went with the spandex option, nice work). The course utlilized 2 warehouses, a couple sidewalks and various bits of parking lot ending with a stair-step runup to the finish. It was a hoot, like a cyclocross race (minus the dirt) with music pumpin, beer flowin, and people hollerin. The difference being there was hardly a bit of carbon fiber to be seen, I bet pair of Zipp wheels would prolly match the combined price of all the bikes raced that night.

My first race was the 20 feet or so I did on Jims back for the tandem race, the distance pretty much sums up how well that worked. Then I raced the third and last heat of the "competitive" races (top 2 for each went on to the finals). Good start, givin that 39x18 single speed all I could, it wasnt enough muscle to keep up with some dude on his fixie. After washin out on one of the slick corners in the second warehouse, I conceded and rode it in for second (plus the breadbowl of soup, fries, burger, green beans and coffee I ate just an hour + before were threatening an upheaval). Once that was over, I sat and coughed up a lung (hardest effort I've done since October) while the non-competive class ran their five laps.

The finals were next, I still felt pretty gross, but I had to go. I gave it a good effort for 4 laps, then let fixie dude and Bill have at it, I didn't really want to barf and I didn't have the gears to match them anyway. The crowd def kept me goin as it all turned up to 11 for that last race, people were screamin like mad. I held on for 3rd and enjoyed those last 5 laps much more without trying to race. All in all, a pretty great event. Kentucky Ale provided a few kegs of free beer (which I assume really helped with the turnout) and they even gave out some prizes after at a sleezy little bar in the hood.

I was amused the next day to read on the race's forum "I know fixes aren't the coolest bike to ride this year but they're still pretty f'n fast- pro mtb man knows this now." OK, I guess he just wants to think he's on the fringe and has turned a blind eye to the fact that every hipster duffus is sportin a fixie. I suppose word of "who I am" circulated via the Pedal Power or PtP guys as I wasn't wearing a my usual "I'm a Pro mountain biker, kiss my butt" sign or even spandex for that matter. And I will also guess that being a pro instantly marks you – it says you should win and every start line is serious business; that my goal was to come, kick ass and give it 110%, even though my bike choice would kinda prove contrary to that. He makes it sound as though I had some doubts as to the power of the fixie. I thought about posting "I'm bringing my A game next time!" but I really dont care, I'd rather go back with the same bike and goal as last time, just ride and have some fun. Although...I may throw on a 14 tooth cog just to make it a bit more interesting...ha ha hah.