WORS #3 Big Ring Classic - Andy

Wausau, WI
WORS #3 Big Ring Classic Sunday June 07, 2009
by: Andrew Schirpke

Short race weekend compared to the 2 races. We didn’t have to get things together until Saturday morning. We met my Aunt, Uncle and cousin on the highway and got to Wausau around noon. Chinese buffet and then a stop for some water. Checked in and got some kits on.
Headed to Nine Mile and did a lap. The course doesn’t have much singletrack for this race. It was super hot and I only got one in. Thanks to Bill B.(Cactus) for taking the split with me and letting my dad preride sport/comp course. Waited for him to get another one in and we decided the pasta wasn’t going work for us. Headed into town for some Jimmy John’s and Mexican food. Back to the hotel and went swimming for awhile. Then we were on the Netflix for some Office episodes. All sleeping by ten.
Woke up around 6:30am and showered. Had waffles, cereal and whatever else they had. Packed everything up and headed to the course. HOT again and mixed my second bottle with Elixer. Watched the juniors start and began to practice my starts.
Because I’m tied with Oskar he got the call up. I wasn’t on the line and I knew I needed to move up quickly. Got a good start and was up front at the first hill. Went out to fast and I blew up. In the heat recovery takes forever. I picked off some of the 18 under but wasn’t catching anyone in my age group.
By the end of the second lap the later waves of older guys started to catch me. I had to do everything I could to stay with them. I hadn’t drank much of my first bottle and was paying for it. Maybe a camelback would have helped. The course was mostly double and it was like a road race on fat tires. I finished 8th but was just happy it was over. Cheered everyone else on and hit Russell with a few pine cones. Travis has a great picture on Facebook. It was a long day in the sun and I couldn’t figure out why so many racers turned down the SuperSoaker.
The caravan headed south and we stopped at King’s Table in Waupaca for some pizza. Was home and unpacked way before ten. Fun weekend but a short one. Next race is Sunburst. Close by but it’s a ski hill. Up, down, up, down you get the idea.

Pedal Metal

Andy