On race day, we left Bastrop where we were staying and headed to Fayetteville. It was already raining with about a 20mph south wind and in the 60s. We stopped at a local eatery on the way to grab a little pre-race snack. The locals were getting ready for a bar-b-que cookoff. I asked if they had checked the weather. One responded saying his wife was in Austin and the front had already hit there. We now expected it to hit us in about 2 hours. They asked what we were doing. We politely responded, "doing a bike race in Fayetteville." We got a little laugh and a "GOOD LUCK with the weather. We were on our way.
We arrived in Fayetteville and began the debates of how to dress. Basically, everything was going to be wet. Tim, Jason and I headed to the line and then we were off. On the first 22 mile lap of 3, a rider rode into the back of Tim's bike and next thing you know there was a pile up. I just missed the mayhem by about 3 inches. Back in the pack, the race was going as planned. There were some good accellerations on some of the hills. I could tell everyone was waiting for the "weather event." On the backside of the course ( flat alley), rider after rider after rider were getting flats. I noticed that we could not see the huge power plant off in the distance. It was hidden by the rain coming our way.
We were fairing pretty well. Not too long after crossing the line ending the first lap, the "weather event" happened. Now we can debate actual wind speeds and temperature drop. I am sure all of us had our own feelings on that topic. When the front hit, the wind kicked up solid out the northwest and with very strong gusts. We were in a straight line just trying to see something up the road. Yes, Jason wore his glasses. A short time later, the wind and driving rain was not enough....we needed hail. Yes hail. The hail was stinging nicely on the exposed skin now in what I am going to say is 40 ( maybe less) degree temps. I thought I was old enough to know better than to be out in weather like this....much less in it on a bike.
We made it to flat alley and once again riders were popping out left and right with flats. Then, it happened to us. We were in the lead group and Jason got a front flat. I was a couple bikes back from Jason and took a look back up the road. Two riders were standing, waiting for the wheel truck that was nowhere in sight. At that time, I felt Jason had the best chance of producing something for Williams Texas that day. I stopped, gave up my Williams 38 front and sent him down the road chasing the pack. About 20 minutes of standing in high winds, cold temps and rain, I got a front wheel. Freezing cold now, I just wanted to make it back to the van. Jason continued to chase, getting as close as 5 seconds at one time. He gave it his all just watching the pack up the road from him for some 30+ miles. WOW! That was one effort.
Jason arrived at the van after finishing about 6 minutes behind the lead group and shaking violently from the cold. By now, I was past my light hypothemia and proceeded to help Jason get dry and warm.
We headed back to Bastrop where we were staying to decide what we wanted to do. After such a wild ride, happy to be alive and fairly well, we called it a day.
