Whittier Report

(via Dave Benson)

It is all Jonny G's fault. Bill did his part by partying hard with the Woodcock crew at their team windup on Saturday night. So hard, in fact, that the dynamic duo of Olli and Don did not report for duty at the start line on Sunday. Mission accomplished. But Jonny G failed to execute the second part of the plan--namely an FGBC sweep of the podium in the men's A race. The Cricket and I clawed our way onto the bottom two steps. We left the top one for Jonny. Apparently, he is afraid of heights.

The Cricket felt the win was his for the taking. He had a decent lead with two laps to go. But the clay build-up on his cleats left him unable to push as hard as he'd have liked. He was angry at the finish line. Very angry. Like carpet F-bombing angry. It was actually kind of nice to see.



At the end of the day, Paul had more hops.



In the kids race, the J-Train demonstrated his superior remount form.

(via KK)

The kid's form is smoother than most of the A field. Perhaps we should have him lead a clinic on Tuesday night.

The other kids made us all proud too. They rode a short course, but it was all up and down.





B-Rad took the hole shot in the B race. Things went downhill from there. There are rumours of a broken hand. We really hope those rumours turn out to be unfounded.


With Cam's broken hand last week and Gary's broken nose today, things are getting rough out there. Be careful boys and girls.

Jonny G and I spent a good part of the B race at the mud clay pit from hell. We waiting for someone to spill so we could document it with photographic evidence. In the end, we left home disappointed. But we were still treated to a diverse exhibition of different approaches.

The Mennonite Lady kept us entertained with several near misses:


Notice how she's also laying a beat down on Artur. Of course, she won again. But that's hardly news by now.

Cousin Adam just straight up attacked it. He had a good race. Third?



The emergency preparedness award goes to Marc (aka Auckland's Dad). He knows that the river can rise suddenly. After this past spring and summer, we are well aware that it can happen at any time. Had it happened again today, Marc would have been prepared.



Finally, we are saddened to report that our goal of sweeping the Ridley frame draw prizes did not come to fruition. The Fraggle did her part though. She walked away with a sweet new frameset. Dallas and Morgan each got one too.

Big thanks to Gary and Co. for a sweet race and prizing with which we shall not attempt to compete. We hope your nose is okay. Obviously your new bike is still too heavy.

Lots more A race photos over at Dave Benson's gallery. Stefan Isfeld has a gallery too. Good stuff. My favourite is this one of Gianni the Grass Track Czar running through the mud: