Pandas in the Park

Pandas fielded their strongest team this weekend, with 8 riders competing in three different categories. Chris got the most “vertical” with not only a win at Golden Gate, but also taking the BASP leader’s jersey for Master 35+ Bs. With one more race left in the series, CCCP will see Chris defend his top spot from the likes of the lads from Berkeley Bike Club and Sycip. The real question is whether Chris will keep his porn star good looks, finding strength in his mustache ala Samson, or will good taste and hygene prevail? Either way, should be a good showdown that you won’t want to miss. Also in the 35+ Bs, Mark again proved why he is the panda strongman, stringing out the field to take the hole shot. Mark kept the speed up during the race as he made another trip to the podium, claiming 3rd for the day and 4th in the series.

For me, I started the race at the back, I mean way back. The back of the back. According to Julie, about nine places from last place. That would put me at about 81st place going into the first turn. No gentleman’s slide for me today, I was in for some work (VdB: Good, you need to work you luie vet koe.) So I started to work and after the first lap, I had moved up to about half place, where I stayed until lap 3ish. Coming into the backside, word came out that a rider was down in the sand. I approached the sand, cautious and staying left to avoid the downed rider and his attendees. I guess I strayed too far left and smacked a tree with my shoulder. (VdB: Not only luie vet koe, dom onhandig mestkever!) Knocked off my bike, more embarrassed than hurt, I tried to regain my position. However forced to run that section until the gradient eased, I gave up perhaps ten spots, never to be regained. I finished strong (that is what you say when you do not win – you finished strong) and stayed competitive to the line finishing 53rd. Greg finished shortly thereafter in 62nd.

In other races, VdB was pleased with the pandas, though they could still use some work he said. While Christine continued to flex her muscles in the women’s Cs, 2nd place behind the series leader, the Men’s C field saw panda after panda cross the line (Dave -27th, Mike W – 45th, and Mike S – 97th).

“We raced well today, the pandas suffered. Their faces, their teeth were marked with dirt. Their legs, spent. They worked hard. In the end, Chris was first, the rest were last. Nu naar huis en eet je in poedervorm donuts en drink je bier met een rietje.” - VdB