Thursday, August 07, 2008

Boone Flat Tire Festival

I raced at the Boone Flat Tire Festival last weekend, or at least I tried to.

I was trying to pack "low key". What that really meant was that I neglected to pack a spare tube. Oops. At the staring line I was telling Kyle about my predicament, but that I was not worried, because I had never had a flat in a race . . . hisssss.

Holy Crap. I have come to realize that I have supernatural powers from time to time. I can predict one thing, and know that the opposite will come true in a short amount of time. But this was the shortest time that I remember between a boastful proclamation, and fate's inevitable smackdown. I swear, my tire started going flat as I was uttering the words.

At Kyle's urging, I followed the Expert start to my truck to fill my rear tire. I made it back in time for the Sport start. However, my tube would onlt last until halfway down the first decline. Good thing I had on my walking shoes!

BTW, this was my first ever DNF.

Now, some pictures.

There were a couple of friendly rodents at the race . . . a badger and a squirrel.


The Nebraska crew was well represented.


As was the Iowa City crew

Kyle puts on a great low-key race.

If Kyle was there, Taylor can't be far behind. Hey Taylor, "Nice Bike". She used to be mine.

Team mate Bruce Brown held up will in the heat, thorns, and other challenges.

Team mate Scotty looked much better at this race then he did the last time I saw him (RAGBY).

Shortly after I took this picture, I gave Greg a ride home. He didn't want to do it, but his tire wouldn't hold air either.


This guy should win some kind of Iorn Man award. He came though on the first lap riding on a flat rear tire. He finished the second lap with NO front tire. I don't get it. I really don't. Try riding a lap at Boone on just a rim some time. I REALLY don't get it.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.

2 comments:

Carl Buchanan said...

Flat tires...okay. No tire!?!? Wow.

Paul Varnum said...

Carl,

Yup. THat was messed up. Imagine what that guy can do with two fully inflated tires!