Rat Race 2 recap...

(blackshaw getting jiggy with it! click the image to check out the photoset)

I'm gonna keep this short but sweet. Killer route, awesome checkpoints, gorgeous day (albeit a tad bit windy at times) equaled out to one massive race. Couldn't of asked for a better time. Overall this race ran extremely smooth, with all checkpoints being manned and the tasks not too taxing except for a few. The funnest check point IMO was the slip and slide on Belgrade and the Alchemy check point (on Edgewater). The worst ones IMO where the fortune cookie check point (a dry ass fortune cookie and no water, do the math) and the one at Mead Park (all that spinning really put a hurting on me). Some people feel the Greenwood Cemetery one was the worst of the bunch. While the spinning didn't mess me up as much as the Mead Park one, the itchiness that resulted from having to roll down that grassy hill stayed with everyone the remainder of the day...

Post race the usual trick shenanigans broke out @ the end point (Covert/Beta) with beer, vegan dogs and other assorted refreshments offered up. After the awards ceremony, a game of bike polo was fired up. It was a Tampa vs Orlando showdown and due to the lack of lights, the scene looked like something out of fight club with parked cars providing almost all of the lighting. I was kind of expecting a blow out because Tampa/St Pete has been doing the bike polo thing a bit longer but Orlando managed to give them a damn good fight. In the end, experience beat out heart but the 407 did manage to win one match in the best out of 5 series. This was the first time I ever saw a game of bike polo and I have to admit, I'm hooked... :)

Massive respect to all that came out and especially to Adrian and Metha for the huge amount of hard work they put in to this. Also, lots of appreciation to all the volunteers that helped work the check points. Some of you guys really made me laugh with how festive and enthusiastic you where in regards to working these things. Lastly, a big shout out to team GPS for not letting me fall back at the end. I'm suffering from a shitty summer cold and was dragging ass yesterday. Kev, Julius, Teddy and Joey stayed with me even though it was obvious I was slowing them down towards the end. Thanks to your motivation and loyalty, I was able to finish this race pretty damn strong...

Race results should be posted shortly so hang tight. BTW if you have your race photos sorted out, hit me up and I'll post them up.


ez!