The Joe Martin...(part 1)

Forewarning, this might be a long blog...

This race has been on my mind to do for a long time. Granted i haven't been racing for all that long, but the statement "i have wanted to race Joe Martin ever since i started racing" is true. I don't know if there is some sort of bike conspiracy list out there, but i swear, from the moment i bought my entry-level, sora/tiargra component combo Trek, i started receiving race ads...Joe Martin being the first. I remember b/c i thought "Arkansas? Thats so far away!" Little did i know that like 2.5 short years later, that driving distances would be relative to the level of racing excitement and i'd be saying "its only 10 hours away!"

Coming closer to the actual stage race, I didn't realize the level of racing that is the Joe Martin. Maybe it was an intentional blind eye or just laziness, but i signed up, wrote it down in my calendar, took the time off of work, and that was that. Check the map? Nah. Read old race reports? Nah. Look at elevation and climbing levels? Why? We'll find out when we get there, right? I was really excited for this race, i was being realistic about the road race but at the same time its only 34 miles. a TT in hilly AR, but its only 2.5 miles! A crit with the 3/4s that beat me up in St. Louis? Oh come on, its only 25 mins. I really live in a delusional world...

Planning changed quite a bit in the last week b4 JM, but in the end, Jessi and I headed down to Fayetteville AR the day b4 the stage race was to begin. After checking in at registration, and going through our goody bag, the newly Old Spiced Jessi (aka James) headed to this little Italian place called Pesto Cafe. I was taught a lot on the ride down, for example, pre-race dinner? "More carbs, less fiber". Pre-race brekkie? The apparently race fuel is a plate full of hashbrowns. Oh, and no dairy...but Jessi allowed me a little milk in my coffee. She's very sweet. After checking the "Race Bible", we headed to the registration tent in order to do Jessi's rollout. At the parking lot, the bikes are put together, check, we pin numbers and the whole ordeal just to find out that we parked in the wrong lot and that our start line/registration is 11 miles away. Hmmm...not really what the RB said, but ok. Bikes thrown back in the car and we sped away down some rural AR roads. Once again, bikes out, etc etc...Jessi and i realize we have one bottle of water. I started walking around asking and luckily the wheel truck brought a container. Time for our warm up...i say "did i forget anything...oh i don't know, but i'll figure it out, lets go"...J starts giving me some tips on various things like tailwinds, etc, when i look over at her and say "J? Do you realize that i'm wearing my helmet?" with a look of surprise, she says "well, i do now!" and i quickly turn around, ride back and then start walking as soon as the officials are within sight. Start time in 10 mins.

RR: 34 miles...the field is made up of 3/4 women and Masters 40+ for a total of about 45 women (?) Large all things considering and i was really looking forward to it. the hills were intimidating and i didn't know what i was getting myself into, this being my first trip to AR, but still...34 miles with a large field. Well, the race went decently, i stayed in the front until the first real acceleration, which wasn't a long time, but this is what i expected. Curious about the course? Lots of hills. I can't really say much more than tough climbs, good pavement, and AWESOME decents. I was dropped pretty easily by the main field (which later broke up into 3 groups). A few of us stragglers finally got together and started pacelining. Looking at the result sheets and the times, we weren't far from the 3rd group, but the organization of our little group probably came a bit too late (even tho we definitely made up time coming in). I know I was muttering about the hills and one rider countered with an enthusiatic "Welcome to Arkansas!"...yes, what a way to experience my first trip there...

After the RR, Jessi and i attempted to ride back to the car. Within about 2 miles, i was like "i'm about ready to walk" and J says "if you do, i will too...". that was all the encouragement i needed and i hopped off. a bit of rain started and one of the race organizers pulled up and offered us a ride to the car. the bikes wouldn't fit so J stayed back and we drove off. Some thunder and more rain later, i'm finally speeding away to get J. Another organizer sat w/ J in a nice fancy sports car and as soon as i got there, we threw the bikes in the back, jumped in the car and BAM the hail started! it was so loud, the rain got heavier, the roads started flooding and by the time we got back to the hotel, the weather channel told us about the torando warning in effect. yup, big storms and tornados in AR that day, and the TT scheduled for that afternoon was in question...

blog to be continued...