The Lake Hope XC Race!

Two states, one venue.....


Tookie is also rocking the SUNLINE V-1 handlebars that Vegas Bob and Bert are running. I may need to get me one of them there bars!














The Amino Vital product helped both guys get through the sweaty jungle heat with no cramps. Thank god for branch chain amino acids!














The NOMAD was on display, while the "work NOMAD" was filled and ready to rock for the post-race shower and bike cleaning.












The rain last year made this race a greasy mess (not a problem for guys racing XPEDO PEDALS). This year, it was dry and faster than Heath Ledger's male masseuse when he found the body on the floor! Oh, what? THAT was wrong? That was the one that made you mad? I said "hotter then a preacher's d**k at a Boy Scout Convention" and got nothing, and the Heath Ledger joke got you upset? :)













Sean Cavalluchy ripping up the trail on his KARMA and NEVEGAL combination. Both the guys chose the KARMA in the rear for this race, and it seemed to be just the ticket!















Jeff was in this position (engine for the train) for the duration of the race, until he went for a drink and plowed into a tree....with less than five miles to go.































Sunday was a great day to race in Ohio's Lake Hope State Park....especially for me, since I was just heckling and working on bikes/taking pictures! Sean Cavalluchy and I drove down and brought some family with us, and we met Mr. and Mrs. Tookie (along with the recently 5 year old "daughter of Tookie", Lane). The trail was a far cry from last year, when a day-long rainstorm made it slick and greasy for two hours of racing. Jeff and Sean started the race together, but Jeff's aggressive Pro SOLO schedule saw him jump out right away and lead his group for the entire race. Jeff was rolling his KENDA KARMA 29er tires, and that was a great choice for the trail! He would drag his class leaders all over the course for all but the last four miles.











He had briefly reached for his bottle, side-slipped a root, and rolled right off the course..victory easily in reach. Losing six spots instantly, he managed to re-pass one last guy ona narrow singletrack before the finish. That placed him one spot off the box, in 6th. Sorry Tookie, I know you had it sewn up bud....maybe run your HYDRAPAK next time like Lanie does!


Sean was ready to roll, and managed to stay within a minute or two behind Tookie for the majority of the 17 mile race.














I saw him at mile 8, then at mile 13 he launched a sweet jump! Unfortunately, the landing is every bit as impoprtant. He took a spruce tree to the eye and a stem to the 'nads...and that was it for staying in the podium hunt.














He re-mounted his bike after a few minutes of NOT being able to breath, singing in a high-C note, and moonwalking. He finished, rolled to restroom, and pee'd some blood for a bit. It was a Herculean effort to finish the race after that whack to the sack, and I was very impressed with his desire to finish that race.

Great work boys, and thanks to the families who helped me feed and photo the guys!

See ya'll soon...
Peace out peeps!