50 Miles-o-Fun

So the 50 took place on Sunday, with clouds hanging low and a threat of showers in the afternoon. BikeHubby and I got up at 4:30 a.m., so that BikeHubby could preride part of the course. Have to make sure that every twig and leaf is off the trail and that the rocks are polished, you know. BikeHubby got home around 7:30, just in time for the first Bloody Mary of the morning.

It wasn't until around 9:30 ish that the fun started. Runners first began to go through, followed closely by the first mountain bikers. The first three mountain bikers through were right on each other's tail - something I had never seen before. The trail leading up to the house is filled with switchbacks, which usually separate people pretty well. But these three were linked. And fast. And serious. We cheered loudly as they went by, acknowledged by the 'bike wave', consisting of one or two fingers lifted off the handlebars in our direction.

Many bikers came through, along with many runners - some having fun, some in pain, some serious and some you wanted to take off the course and load in your car.

In the early hours, with the first group of about 20 or so going through, one of the bikers yelled to us and asked if we had a beer. As he looked up toward us, he went off the trail and endo'd into a bush. His partner, riding in front of him, stopped to raise his fist and yell "Classic, man!" We were laughing so hard that we could barely cheer him on. One guy went by doing a wheelie and one guy yelled that he was the oldest guy on the course. YAY OLD GUY! We saw many friends come through and we made sure that they knew we were behind them all the way! It was great seeing so many levels of aptitude on the course. There were pro bikers, marathoners and then there were the group of "Mom Bombs", novice bikers, and people who had never raced. There were kids in full BMX dress, looking like they were about 12, and a few old people, pedalling along. It was great.

Bikes broke down, people broke down, but all in all, it was a good race. The winner came in at 4:10 - amazingly fast for that course.

The Vermont 50- Maybe some day, when I grow up, I will be someone that is cheered on to the finish!