2nd MNSCS race and ramblings

So I've challenged myself to ride as many of the MNSCS races this year as summer entertainment. The second race in a series of 10 was held last Sunday @ Afton Alps our so called ski hill up here in Minnesota. While it's lack of altitude or shall I say incline does not pose a threat during the winter months when I occasional ski there...riding up the hill numerous times on a mountain bike after 4 days of rain was not the best use of my time. Lets just say I jumped out to a good start being in the top 6 for the first lap but soon found my legs to be a be inadequate on this day. The course not only proved to be wet, muddy, and down right treacherous on the descents. I ejected from my bike on the first lap in a rock garden that was more like a mud slide. After picking up the pieces I made my way through the rest of the race without incident (I cannot say the same for Newman). In the 30 to 35 year old class I finished 10th and 44th over all so I guess it wasn't the worst day on the bike. Newman who is world renowned for having bike issues incurred a flat tire before the race even started by riding over an old lift ticket thingamajig that hangs from your coat. While the tire was repaired before the race started Newman soon found this to be the least of his worries. Shortly after finishing the race I noticed Newman had beat me to the finish line which could have happen but I didn't remember him passing me. Come to find out his rear derailleur ripped completely off rendering the bike useless. Newman's bad luck with the bike continues.

In other news I was out for an evening bike ride through ST Paul and witnessed a gentleman free climbing a retaining wall (weird) and a 14 year old boy boxing with his dad in the park ( straight out of rocky). I also found a tape measure on the ride today but did not pick it up. However, if anyone needs a tape measure I 'll ride by there tomorrow and get it for you.