Two Mile Run Ride

20140820

Two Mile Run Ride

So which is it? ...a RUN or a RIDE?

As it turns out, it was BOTH!

"Two Mile Run" is a creek....

...and "Two Mile Run" is a race, located just north of Franklin, Pa, part of the Ride the Wilds (RTW) Summer Series.

Got it?

Good!

Anyway, on this perfect day, we had SIX riders entered:

24 mile Expert Division:

Hannah Brewer, Kirk Morrison and Henry Dimmick

16 Mile RTW Series Course:

Mike Maher, Rich Allen and

NEW Ag3r rider BOBBY IRWIN!

"Selfie" by Sierra Maher

So the RUN part of the race was a LeMans style start, where Mike dreamed that ALL the bikes placed at the start were HIS.....(insert sinister laugh here!)

Image by Sierra Maher

At the sound of the HORN, we were OFF...although this picture reveals that Henry and Kirk were not in much of a hurry! Hey boys, this IS a race, you know(?)!!!

Image by Sierra Maher

Meanwhile, at the FRONT, this picture shows BOBBY is at his bike long before anyone else, demonstrating yet again, that there is no better adrenaline booster that racing in NEW KIT :)

Image by Sierra Maher

With the riders disappearing into the woods for the first of their 8 mile laps...

Hannah's Strava Trace

....Sierra Maher set up camp in the LAP CHUTE area to do hand-ups of water and food for the team as they passed.

Meanwhile, the day's first casualty was Henry, with a part in his gears CRACKING even before HE did...!!!

The result was the same, however, as he could put NO POWER to the rear wheel. The result? Following the THEME of the day, a TWO MILE RIDE into the woods, followed by a TWO MILE WALK back out! = DNF

First through the LAP CHUTE was Bobby ...riding so fast that Sierra could not get a picture of him from the front!

Image by Sierra Maher

Next (through the chute?) was Hannah ...although, she was "caught" here taking the LONG WAY down the paved path, rather than through the grass and Lap Chute. (check her Stravas trace above!)

Looks like she may prefer the PAVEMENT after all...(???)

Image by Sierra Maher

Next up, was Mike....placing massive expectations upon poor Sierra to deliver him this PERFECT TECHNIQUE hand-up!

She WILL be invited back :)

Then came Richy, who using his outside manners, made quite a mess of his water hand-up!

As Kirk came through, he was jealous to learn that Henry was the first to come up with a "mechanical" excuse ...to avoid riding the 24 woodsy miles!

Image by Sierra Maher

Back on course now, Bobby found himself in a two way battle for the win.....

...while Mike defied gravity with his turning style...

...Hannah played SHADOW games with the cameraman...

...with Richy finally "seeing the light"....

...and the better course markings (this year).... to NOT get lost (like he usually did on this course!)

On the other hand, as Hannah headed (into?) the LAP CHUTE after her second lap, she AGAIN took the pavement back into the woods.

"ROADIE"

Image by Sierra Maher

As the Sport race drew to a close, Bobby stayed tough into a two-up sprint to the line... getting outgeared by just a few feet to take a WELL DESERVED 2nd Place!

Look how BLOWN he looks!

Image by Sierra Maher

Next into the FINISH CHUTE was Mike....to take 10th Place...

Image by Sierra Maher

....clearly (distorted) from his massive efforts!

After Richy finished in 14th Place......

....Hannah came through at 2:59:07, beating the 3 hour mark for 1st Place Expert Woman (12th Place Expert Overall).

At this point, we all just sat around making fun of Mike...

...and Hannah's (dirty) new socks!

...until BOOM, Kirk came blasting onto the scene....crossing the final bridge heading into the finish.

Unfortunately, the race promoters made a VERY TIGHT time cutoff for all Expert finishers...and Kirk missed the Closing Horn by...

...placing him in 16th Place for his efforts.

This is Kirk saying "What the Heck"....

...while Mike acts the dutiful teammate, replying "I know, right?!!!