Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Gentlemen, start your ... tire pumps

We’re down to four days before this year’s Fireweed. My friend Maura and I are signed up for the 100-mile race, and I’ve done all of two rides this year in the 60- to 65-mile range.

The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and an 85% chance of pain.

Maura asked me during Sunday night’s ride if I had a plan for the race. I said yeah, I’ve got a plan: a big breakfast, a fistful of ibuprofen, and a steady pace. The people who own heart monitors can have a race. I’ll be doing the Fireweed 100 tour.

So I guess I’m “tapering,” as the serious trainers call it. Taking it easy. Thinking about cleaning my bike, or at least the drive train. Trying to figure out if it’s best to go up to the start at Sheep Mountain Lodge and camp out Friday night, or haul my ass out of bed to drive up at 6 a.m. with friends.

Right now, a tent and a couple of Friday-night beers sound pretty good. Maybe I should find that four-person team I’ve been hearing about.

I have it on good authority that the 50-mile event will be run by a team on a four-wheeled quad bike—two riders in front, two in the back. And from what I hear, they’re trying to figure out how to mount a keg on that sucker.

If those dudes need any zip ties or duct tape, I’m willing to share if they are.

4 comments:

Michelle said...

Good luck, Tim! a kegger on a bike...yum! My kind of ride... although now I have decided to wait until the end of a ride before I start consuming. As sexy as chick scars are, the cost of collecting them gets me down sometimes and it seems like beer is involved sometime before the actual scarring event. :)

Amber said...

So is the Keg for you like the carrot is for the horse? To keep you moving?

Tim said...

Hey, I didn't say I have access to the beer. I'm just passing along the sordid rumors I've been hearing!

I'll make sure I have an Alaskan Amber waiting in a cooler back at the finish line, though.

Jill Homer said...

Wow ... I'd say that keg bike would make a good motivating carrot to chase, but I'm guessing you'll be way out in front of them.

Have fun! Wish I was there.