I was going to do the Red Wing mtb race but I didn't feel like getting up ealy enough for a 9:00 start. Sam went and there was like 5 other people there anyway. No competition. Since Doug was complaining about no mtbers showing up at the cross races I opted for the royal spanking from the roadies. The race was held in Rockford, sraight west from Plymouth. Wenk,Jay,Justin, and myself were representing the mtbers. Wenk had a cross bike though, while Jay justin and I had straight bars. I had yet another bad start. I got caught up in the mass going into the first sharp corner and everyone funneling down. That was finr though because I rode like a small child for the first half of the race. I was seriously thinking of quiting untill I saw Dan Swanson on the side of the trail making sure his helmet still had a serial number in it. I thought, "you know, roadies can quit when they think they can't handle it , but mountain bikers suck it up and finish the race if they and their bikes are able." Especially when its only an hr long race and no ski hills. Thanks For the motivation Dan I owe you one. Oh crap, Dan was the one to lend me the $20 so I could race today. Dan is the nicest person I've ever met. During the race you suffer but when its all over you look back and remember how much fun it was. Like when me and Todd (A teammate and H'Woods shop hand) were duking it out in the middle of the race. He went down on a corner and was laying on the ground in front of me, I didn't want to run him over so I slamed on the disc brakes and went over the bars landing on top of him. On the next barrier section I went to dismount as he was going to pass me and I gave him a classic Chuck Norris roundhouse kick sending him into the weeds. My goal was to not get lapped but that didn't happen. With 2 to go Dewey Dickey and Aric Harland passed me. I was cross eyed by the end of the race and had to suck down all the water I could find, it was uncross like weather for sure, upper 70's and upper 60's dew points made it feel like summer. I had a good time though. Oh, did I mention I beat Dougs brother.

Here is a guy from the Red wing downhill race who was having a rally bad day