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Sometimes foresight and planning for a trip actually works out the way you envisioned at the outset. I’ve been to Europe in the spring enough to know that you had better spend as much time as far south as possible. Sometimes this type of “logic” backfires, but not this time. Spain was sweet, hot and sunny, Belgium was a bit of a reality check, wet but never that cold. Scotland was the pinnacle of crappy northern European spring weather. On the drive from Glasgow to Fort William, arguably the most scenic, definitely the most unique trip from airport to race site on the World Cup schedule, we were a bit surprised, and a bit alarmed at the snow level in the Scottish Moors. It appeared to be around 2,000 feet. Not very high above the race site…. Should be a good weekend. Tara, freshly arrived from SoCal, looked unimpressed…
We checked into the standard lodging available in Fort Bill, a quaint B+B situated above the Atlantic, grabbed our bags and groceries and set out for a nap. Unfortunately, we were informed of the rule prohibiting the consumption of any food items in the rooms, or anywhere on premises outside of breakfast. Not optimal for a couple of guys who fill days on the road with sleeping, riding, reading and SNACKS… Oh well, at least it’s warm and dry. Always good qualities when the cold and rain seems to have settled solidly into the region, with no sign of leaving, regardless of the wind suggesting otherwise…
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Saturday race day rolled around soon enough. We would definitely be fresh after a couple days of lying in bed (or on the floor in my case), which would be a pretty valuable asset given the fact that it was about 50 and raining HARD when the gun went off. Skinny racer guys gave ‘er up the first 1k long gravel climb, me holding on fairly well and heading into the woods around 30 or so. Carl was once again mired in the field on the narrow road, entering the woods with young American Sam Schultz on his wheel somewhere around 100 as they both commented on their less than optimal positioning… Hopefully Sam stuck around long enough to witness Carl somehow going over the bars while already walking his bike down the “Black Death”, jamming his Dual Control finger solidly in the process. Let’s pause for a moment to comment on the Black Death, as Carl lovingly dubbed this 200m section of course. The only part of the 7.5k loop that wasn’t painstakingly constructed by the Forestry Commission with the amazing moisture of the region’s soil in mind, this descent quickly turned into shin deep black mud with broken only by stumps remaining on the naked hillside. Impossible to ride down (I tried once), kind of scary to run down, same for walking too… The rest of the course was mint, owing to the Foresters, regardless of the inches of rain falling. I made it (on foot) down the Death and settled in somewhere, feeling allright for a change. I thought I heard, in a thick Scottish accent, “the American coming through in thireeenth” so I got all fired up and passed some guys. Next lap I definitely was told by Kashi Leuchs (sitting out with some pulled muscles from the shitstorm in Belgium last week) that I was in THIRTIETH, confirmed by the scoreboard. I decided this was a good time to have a snack and regroup, no longer chasing down the “chase” group. I wondered if Carl was being similarly misinformed. Turns out he was receiving no information at all, simply riding hard when we wasn’t freezing cold and surviving the rest of the time. After some reflection I decided that the best way to get in shape was to ride hard and chase down every guy I cold see. Decent plan, good for morale and netted me a 23rd place finish at the end of it all. Carl ended on a warm lap for 66th, also good for morale, although he claims to have extra reserves if he simply knew if we was racing for 50th or 100th….
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Thus the short European Adventure ends. Kind of getting in shape for me, kind of remembering how to race in Europe for Carl, all just in time to head home. I’ll be doing some massive singlespeed rides in the hills around Bend, getting back to the old school and hopefully in shape by association. Carl is still saying he’s going to start the Mount Hood Classic, a five day road stage race, on Wednesday, I wish the boy all the luck in the world with that. I’m just gonna singlespeed and barbecue some meat.
Oh yeah, after slightly below average struggling lately I’m 27th in World Cup Overall, Carl is holding the distinction of the very last guy in the proper WC standings, holding down 109th proudly
Thanks for reading, Adam and Carl, Team Giant
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