It was time to head north after we finished Nationals in Idaho. Amanda was off to Oregon for the High Cascades 100, while Colin, Andy and I were off to the ProXCT finals in Missoula, Montana.
Colin takes aim
Andy was born and raised in Missoula and, as I've come to find out, is now the unofficial mayor. Alright, maybe 'mayor' is an overstatement, but with all the trail tours, introductions and activities we've had since we got here - he's got to be on the city payroll. Either way, rolling with Andy has benefits.
Looking up at a turn on the descent.
Andy's folks, Bill and Cindy, aka "the SuperFans" are hosting Colin and I and a few other Montana ProXCT pilgrims for the week. And they've gone from SuperFans to SuperHosts. The cupboards were stocked for our arrival. As were the cookie jars. Unfortunately for my waistline, Cindy is a stellar baker. It's either that or there's an odd gravitational pull to the cookie jar here.
It's not often we have a week in one spot in between races. Usually there's travel time in between that keeps the schedule hopping. But having a week based out of the Schultz's house has been awesome. There's been time to train, rest and other stuff...Time to jumper cable the legs. with the portable massage therapist Globus.
We checked out the course on Wednesday. The Missoula cycling community rallied to get this up and running. It was almost entirely all new trail as of late last year, but the organizers have made sure it has been run in enough with the local town races that the course rides like it's been around for years.Much of the talk is about the 'A-line' that is still under consideration by UCI as to whether or not it will be in the race. (It will likely be there.) But it's a good 4' drop with gap that makes you nervous just contemplating the moves. I've watched JHK ride it, but at the moment I'm thinking...B line.
Though the A-line is the highlight, it isn't the only fun part. The course is steep and punchy up and steep and twisty and fast and chutey down. It will be a good race to ride and watch.
From the top of the A-line
Thursday was a full packed day. Andy was up at 5a.m. for his live spot on 'Missoula Today' talking about the race. (I told you this guy is the mayor. Check it out here.) Afterwards, Andy and I rode the "Ewok Trail" with a local kids camp and and witnessed the two-wheeled funny-ness that is inherent in any kid event...including a Blok eating contest.
Then Andy and Colin did an easy spin with the Arizona Devo team who is also in Missoula for the race.
But that's not all...no Thursday would be complete without shooting clay pigeons. Andy grew up hunting so he lent us his expertise and shot guns for some target practice today. It took a few rounds but we all got better. I think it's safe to say....Clay Pigeons, Beware!
And after spins and shooting, to finish the sport of downtime triatholon is of course...ping pong. We had a mini-tournament last night. Adam from the Jamis team and RM Choc Factory MTB manager Joey rounded out the tourney ladder. Part of the motivation to win was the loser of each round was subject to "Welt." The victor gets to take ping pong aim at the loser across the table who stands butt-to-table facing the other way with their back exposed. If ever there was a more aptly named game...
Today it's back to ride the course. We've had some rain this week so the course should be nice and tacky. The pro women race at 3pm tomorrow and the men race at 6. Starting at 7 is the after party which has as much anticipation surrounding it as the race.Troy takes misses his shot at Welt.
Let the games...continue!
Andy and Joey in the Match Royale
