Chris "Krash Man" Pope

Got up at 5:30 and it was a chili morning. Loaded up my gear and the bikes. Brandon (good friend) got to my place at about 6:00 and we where on our way to Heber. The race started at a park about 100 s and 1000 w. This park is the last major exchange for the WB Relay. We wanted to get an early start but that didn't happen. The race started at 8:00am. The first 9 miles was very easy and slightly down hill. Then we had this big climb up to soldier hollow. This was my first awakening that the day was not going to be all fun and games. On the way down Brandon was going a little fast and couldn’t brake fast enough and ended up in a ditch with a bent front will.  It wasn’t bent just a little, he broke the main frame of the rim.  We hitch a ride with support back to the start and headed to the only bike store in town.

            The bike store was not help.  The rims they had were either the wrong one or way too much money for Brandon’s’ budget.  So I did the rest of the ride with out him.  Boy does that suck to Krash in the first 10 miles of a century.  At least I didn’t krash too. 

            I left the start to try and ketch up with some of the other riders.  I took main st. out of Heber north until I met up with the course.  It was now 10:30 ish and I didn’t want to be out on my bike all day.  In the end I only cut off about 4 miles.  Once I met make up with the course the next 2-3 miles were all up hill and it hurt.  The course went through Frances, Kamus, Okley, Wanship, and almost to Coalville.  On the way back the route went some different way and I was happy for that because some of the hills I came down doing 35-40 mph I didn’t have to go back up.  At about mile 94 I hit the top of that killer hill I had to climb up.  Max speed down that hill was 44.9 mph.  I feared for my life just abit when my bike started to shake as I increased my speed down the hill. 

I finished around 4:30 but actually out on the road for about 7 hours.  I had a blast and the view was relaxing.  Biking has helped me relieve my need to run and has been a great cross trainer.  I think I will keep it up and do another century next year.  If any one wants to join me let me know.

For race route and elevation see: http://web.bike2bike.biz/Rides/HeberValleyCenturySept272008/tabid/111/Default.aspx