Vertical Pandas BASP No. 2, Coyote Point. Christine powered away to create some space, taking the lead into the final lap. However, with a RockLobster closing, Christine’s real derrailuer had to abanon the race. That is to say, it broke. True to BASP’s promotional materials, everyone finishes with the help of Cannondale neutral bikes, but the damage had already been done. Although she missed the podium, she finished a respectable 6th.
Which is less than I can say for me. I bounced around and skidded. I was worried that my rear tire could be loosing air, when all it (and I) were loosing was time and places. In the end I finished 54th. Afterwards I speculated that I was running too low a pressure, a mistake not to be committed twice. Despite my luke warm performance, the course was solid and I look forward to returning. Chris and Mark enjoyed pandapodium, battling with the likes of Sycip, Berkeley Bike Club and HUP United to finish 2nd and 4th respectively.
Here are some good pics of the epic battle -
Although not all pandas were wearing white, Dave and Mike rode well, taking 28th and 82nd in Men’s C respectively. Dave then abandoned his bike for the camera, taking some great photos, including an expose on comparison dismount techniques.
In the end, it was Chris who proved to be the fastest panda, reciveing a congratulatory pat on the back from VdB, "Good race Donahue, but remember you still finished last."
als je niet eerste bent,
bent u het laatst
But it is a race, so placing is important. The good news is that VP enjoyed high placements in a number of categories. First up, women’s C saw Fox shoot off the line and charge to second up the run up. She looked strong and could contest the overall lead until a handlebar, pole, tape incident held her up. Despite losing over a minute untangling her bike, Fox motored upward and onward to a solid top 10 finish.
Men’s master Bs saw confusion and chaos, both on and off the course. What we do know is that Shaw rode an extra lap and Jeremiah can glue tubular tyres. What is still pending: who finished where? (not literally, of course we all know that we finished at the line, but what place?). According to eye witness accounts, both Mark and Chris finished in the top 10 and Jeremiah did not get lapped, and Shwe proved extremely photogenic.
Despite the uncertainty of the outcome of the men’s master Bs, the women’s Bs lined up with another cross rookie, Cheryl, taking her place in VP black. Piper and I encouraged the field with leg swinging dance moves to the techo pop, “Let the music move you!” And move them it did, with Cheryl taking an official 9th place (though she may have ridden an extra lap as well?)
If a panda races in the woods, but no one is around to watch, does the panda make a noise? Fortunately you may never need to know the answer to that because of the huge turn out of vertical fandas. The beer, sweets and sandwiches took second place to the friends out enjoying the autumn morning. Technically McLaren Park is hard, but as a member of Team Beer said to me “That’s cross.”