Rim Wrecker according to "The Mitch"

(We've changed his name from Mitch to "The Mitch")

This race was awesome. It will definitely go into the memory books as one that will not be forgotten and talked about for years to come. We started the day in JC at 0700 with a temp of about 35, windy, blustery and wet (no snow here anyway). The three of us (Barry, Stoney and I) were under way by 0745 after some minor adjustments.

The closer we got to the race, the more snow on the ground and in the trees and the colder it got. By the time we got to Steelville there was about 6 inches on the ground and all the trees had a couple of inches hanging on them, temp about 31. We talking about how much the race was going to suck and those poor bastards that went camping down there the night before.

By the time we got down there and found the campers it was about 1030. Kids were building snow forts and the trees were literally throwing snowballs at us...really they were. All I am thinking is that I hope that I can see all the rocks and that I did not remember to bring my riding jacket, this was going to suck (suck it up Mitch your a soldier...you are use to doing things that suck). It's 1040 Barry and Stoney get dressed and get ready for the Marathon start. 1045 Bob's 69er goes tits up, Nick starts cussin about that "F"ing bike, Bob proceeds to start banging it against a tree saying if he had a gun he would shoot it. Nick ponies up his bike for Bob to use about five minutes before race time. We all ride up to the start to send them on their way.

We head back to the campsite where Nick starts cussin again about Bob's "F"ingbike and says he does not even feel like racing now. Andy decides he needs bacon "lots of bacon" to do this race as Sir Chadwick proceeds to cook. I break out the rotgut whiskey (Woodford) as I figure that will help take the edge off and get Nick in the mood. Nick is in agreement as we pass the bottle around. In the mean time it starts to warm up a little 35 and the trees let loose with the mother of all snowball fights. You had to be there to believe it. There were snowball falling everywhere thousands we stood under the easy up while we got pelted for the next 15 minutes. It was really pretty cool. We took a couple more hits of rotgut and proceeded to the starting line, but not before Andy had a couple more pieces of bacon. "Tornado"

Then the race was underway. It took all of about five minutes before you were soaked and covered with mud. The sun came out and the trails had rushing water down middle. Creek crossing turned into river crossing and the small mud hole turned into mud bogs and Sippy holes one in particular was a hole that was about two bike lengths across and one bike length deep, yeah thigh deep black muck...sweeeet!

When all was said and done we were all glad for this race to be over with. The sun was shining the temp was 50 and the snow was all gone. Team Red Wheel kicked ass with great representation, comradre, 2-first place finishes and a second place finish.

Nick gets to stay busy for a little while fixing, adjusting and replacing brakes as this was one of the most brake eatingest courses that we had ever done.

We all headed for home stopping at the Spare Rib for some chow and war stories. After filling up with gas and getting some ice, I broke out the rotgut and handed the keys off to a DD and we proceeded to talk, drink and be merry. The day ended with a feel of accomplishment, memories and smiles. What started out as a suckass day ended up as a great day for being with old and new friends again. I enjoyed it and look forward to having more fun this year. Until next time... Adapt, Overcome, Improvise

Goodnite John-boy...

(The MItch's race reports are almost as good as Bob J's. Andy has the pic's)

camp before nick and bob show up

the debacle begins

Take a close look. Yes, that’s our very own bike shop proprieter showing off yet another one of his many skills…fire jumping. Evidently a revered past-time for individuals growing up in the mokane area.