Sea Otter Mud Run!

After driving for hours and setting up camp, Taylor and I headed for the KENDA trailer and the 'Otter Expo area. As usual, things were slow for Thursday. The clouds were looming, and the ground was a sickening and viceral glop. Great for wreking drivetrains, bad for four hour Pro races! Friday was not much better, with King James and I heading out for our Pre-Ride of the XC course with a little push from two time NORBA Champ Mary Mac and her coach. We loved the course, even with Deadly Nedly Overend crushing us like roaches on some steep climbs. We were fortunate enough to be among the few who managed to get off the course before a few hours of rain. VEGAS was not so lucky. He arrived late from Sin City, and went out on course late. The pics he took of the course were so sloppy, I could not recognize the areas I just rode through!
Upon James and I's return, Taylor was battling a raging wind/rain that devastated our campground. We were forced to pull ut and head for town, sleeping on the floor of James' nine million dollar per night room in Monterey. The next day was fine, and I awoke early to reestablish camp. Jay, Conor and Taylor all jumped in the Backbone shuttle vehicle (my truck) and we headed for the dh practice. Hmmmmm...was it nice and dry for them? NO, as a matter of fact, it wasn't. With face plants and muck-filled shoes filling the day, the guys managed to hit four runs before having to call it a day and clean up the bikes. The rest of my day was spent roaming around and doing my thing, selling good ol' fashioned rubber to the masses in Jim's spankin new KENDA trailer!
Sunday was all business, as Oscar Rodriguez waas up first in Beginner XC. Looking fitter than ever, Oscar and his homeboys headed out on a beast of a beginner race. I did not see the boys again until 10 am or so, but they all looked happy and actually stronger at the end than in previuos years. I guess hauling around all those children is making Oscar a playa'!
After seeing the beginner xc finish, I ran over and met Vegas at the DH course. Taylor, Conor, and Jay all flew past us so fast, Bob only managed one real pic of Taylor! The guys blasted down the course, and finished in the low twenties out of ninety-some-odd Semi-Pro's! Not bad, especially when you consider that Conor has been nursing a broken hand, shoulder injury, and maybe even a swollen prostate and chapped nipples! (ok, I added that one in..)
Next up was Vegas Bob in expert, and he took off on the newly suspended Litespeed.
After starting his race in the rain, and it only getting worse throughout the day, Bob's legs succumbed to the 40 mile, 6,000ft of climbing death march. At three miles to go, both legs said "No Mas," and cramped up beyond help. NEXT YEAR BOB!
Anyhow, I'd like to thank all who attended and did not race as well, like Bert, dawn, and James. Their presence helped me to elevate the team's profile with sponsors, and even landed Taylor and Bert in an upcoming film! Anyhow, great to see you all out there...except Wehe and Schwanke...and hope to see you all again in a week, at "Smelly Bonelli" for the Cal State race and Armenian BBQ!

Cap'n Chris