Chequamegon Fat Tire and changing seasons.

Its the time of year that all of the racers look forward to. Its the end for the die hard roadies, and the Cross guys are licking their chops. For me its simply September, and a chance to shed a few pounds before Chequamegon.

The last few years I have headed up to the Northwoods with the SRAM crew for some fun. After all, Lenny always loved it. I have a very fond set of memories of being picked up at midnight Friday night, driving the 7 hours north in darkness into the middle of nowhere. Getting in just as the guys were waking up and making breakfast. We got about an hour of sleep, Scott handed me a few pancakes that i literally ate out of my hand, and we headed to the start of the 40 mile MTB race.
Later that weekend, after much underage drinking and a loss of undergarments at a local strip club, 3 of us packed into Lenny's Honda CRX. Yes, that's the one with ONLY 2 seats. Don't ask, but was not too bad stuffed in the back!

Now I head North to remember the fun, honor Lenny, and loose a few golf balls in the annual Lenny Parisi Memorial Northwoods Open. We are a bunch of hacks aside from Scott, but its fun to not keep score, goof off and tell stories. This year did not disappoint. The non golf crew was back at the 'Shangri-Lodge' after a short recon ride and got started making dinner. Kudos to JP and the crew for some super tasty steaks, pasta, vino and all the fixings.

Race day was pretty warm compared to past years. I was able to start in shorts and short sleeves for a change. I started my usual DFL, passed some people on the road and started my off road journey at Rosie's field. I had time splits in my head hoping to shave of another 10-15 minutes from last year. I took advantage of some really nice September weather and had a lot of commuting miles under my belt, a few fast rides as well. I was down 8 lbs from Fat Tire last year, so things were going well. I passed the time check at OO, even faster than I though, and after about another 10 miles at Fire Tower Climb, I was beginning to think i may have a shot of sub 3 hrs. I did start to fade with about 5 miles to go, but just then a Tandem came by and that was just the ride i needed. I snuggled up on their wheel for the next 4 miles, they left me on a section with about a mile to go, but i was home free from there. I crested the final climb, bombed down the ski slope of the Telemark and rolled in with a pretty impressive 2:58:37. Pretty sweet.

Chequamegon gave me 28 hours on the month, and I was hunting for around 40. I decided to honor the changing seasons and get the cross bike ready to take on the riding duties. Monday morning was some pretty wet roads, and Tuesday was worse. I did get to ride in and out on Wednesday, but today i am punched in the work excuse.

I am hoping to get it in tomorrow, even though i will need to have a rain cape ready for the roll home. SKS race blade fenders will do the job of keeping me dry if the skies open. I doubt i have a shot at 40 hrs now, but 35 seems reasonable.

I am down 7 lbs from where i started the 'off season' last year, and hoping to shed some more before i have to start the indoor regime!

Cheers!