Let me start of by stating that since I knew what to expect (because of last year), the second EB was much more enjoyable.

The ride started out a little slow because a certain kilt wearing Mojo (bikemojo.com) places bike maintenance last on his list of cycling priorities (I’m noticing a pattern here, with the kilts and the lack of bike maintenance)…which put Cody behind in getting ready…which put the start off a little. No bother, with DLST, the sun was out and most of us could ditch our lights.

It was a little cold at the start, which made the creek crossing in WC a real waker-upper, and WC doesn’t make good chamois butter, so I’m pretty sure 90% of us started out with wet socks and chamois, at least I thank someone for the Swiftwick recommendation. Then the big red shaggy m-effer Jeff (on a SS) takes the lead once we get on the road. I’m assuming this was to set an even pace, but the pace down to the GB was a little faster than last year, although it was not as punchy. The group got a little strung out, but not too badly.

Once we hit the bathrooms at Zilker, the ‘ride’ was on. Five of us hit the trail at a pretty brisk pace (Travis, Iain, Cody, Greg and I). Dave E then caught us and passed us, until the second water crossing. [BTW, the crossings were not very enjoyable unless you consider how pleasant a bubbling (babbling, whatever) creek can be on your experience of nature. Really only the dam crossing encountered the boys (and also the chamois).] With Dave calling himself a female body part, we cross the creek a third time, and away he goes. At this point, Travis also takes off with Iain on his heels. I manage to stay on Cody’s wheel with a newcomer: Mike. The three of us make it up the HOL to catch the leaders. I walked most of it, but Baron rode the whole thing with a dab.

At this point I’m wondering where Sean, Druber, and a few other strong riders are. I will find out later that once the first group took off, the majority of the riders hung out at the Zilker bathroom. I guess they were powdering their noses for the camera? I’m still not sure but maybe someone can fill us in on this one. I am positive that if you had not taken your morning constitutional before the ride, that bathroom was a good opportunity .

So we hit 360 and make the light. We can see the lead group out in front. First one hill, then another little one, and we catch them. There is some confusion about where Dave is, maybe he stopped? Nope, he’s still in the lead. So up Courtyard with some of us walking bits, and then up CP road to CP itself. CP was in great shape (although it seems to have had a lot of traffic on it lately), here I start to drop out a little, with Dave, Greg, Iain and Travis making it out of the park ahead of Mike, Cody and I. TONS of Mojos in the parking lot, cheering us on (some of whom should have been on the ride with us (there’s always next year))…thanks y’all! Jeff throws a water bottle at me when he finds out I’m already done with my lap. I remind him how efficient I am on a geared bike (hehe). I see Tim and James there. They seem to be doing well.

So we hit the CP climb out of the park and towards 2222. Mike and I stop for water, and Cody takes off. I will not see him again until the finish, and in reality I should not have stopped. I know better for next year. Mike and I make it to St. Ed’s without incident. Somehow I lose Mike on the climb. Again, I will not see him until the end of the ‘ride’. Riding out of SE’s goes smoothly, although someone had removed the arrow heads making the course marking there just pink lines…oh well. Up Yaupon, nice and slow, and I enter Thumper. Oh man I’m not a fan, mostly because I only ride Thumper on these long ‘rides’ and never just for a quick jaunt. A couple of riders catch me in here, but I manage to stay with them for the most part, and end up leaving with one of them who turns out to be HH’s Dustin, sweet.

Thumper ended up taking me a 1:15, costing me time, but at this point that was a pretty good time considering the number of cramps I was dealing with. I was staying ahead of cramps in both calves, both quads (including the inner groin) and my right forearm…WTF? My forearm is cramping? My back and neck were also killing me. So I told Dustin I would ride with him if he let me listen to my tunes for a few minutes to help me better go to my “happy place.” We end up crossing 183 at Oak Knoll and missing the Riata turn, so a little back tracking and we get to Parmer…then to WC.

My sweet wife is there with coolers of beer, but no one has finished the WC lap yet, so we dump the camelbacks and hit the loop. Dustin ends up doing the root drop in front of a couple of ladies who are cheering him on and essentially soaks one, pretty funny. My cramps start up on the climb out and Dustin loses me. The WC lap was pretty numbing and I make my way to the finish. I get all sorts of questions, but I’m in no mood to talk. Recovery drink, a change of clothes and it’s beer time. I had four.

Overall, I’m a little shocked at how well I was able to hang on with the lead group. I think if I had not stopped, I would have managed a little longer, at least through St. Ed’s.   …and to Travis’ point, I need to work on the technical skills. 

Today I’m feeling pretty beat up, but I think I can manage to race at the Dirt derby if it doesn’t rain. I am very proud of the TGR guys for finishing, especially Tim and James who ended making the EB a 12 hour ride…whew, I’m glad I pushed a little bit. My time last year was nearly 11 hours, so shaving off more then 2 hours was pretty sweet, although I didn’t have as much social time. Thanks again Travis and Cody for putting this on, Bill for making me ride last years’ EB and my wife for baking those ridiculously badass cookies!

–Corey