Escape to Crystal Lake

I was there! You're right. Great little race with a kick a$$ bike course!

About that bike course...

So I did that race last year, for the first time. Never rode or drove the course before the race, just looked at that map.

So I get into Beulah on Friday night and show the wife and kids the course via the car. No problem.

Race morning, miss the first turn --go out of my way a couple of miles --with about 10-15 other people. AAARRRGGGHH! Worst part is, as I passed the intersection where I should have turned, I knew something wasn't right. But,

1. there were no signs, volunteers or race-specific pavement markings directing us which way to go
2. although there were pavement markings on the road at that intersection, they were "orange" and the race director had told us at the premeeting to ignore those markings, of course he also said that sometimes those marking would be correct.

In any event, I got to do some more hills --WHOHOO! Lucky me.

And then the run seemed short, but that's fine by me.

No chip timing so no idea about time/placement. Other than those things, I still like that race a lot. And oh boy, that bike is challenging (to say the least).

I missed the first turn too - but less than a mile later I realized my error. Other friends went up to five out of the way.

Given the oops on the bike course and a cramped stomach on the run I still set a sprint PR.

I'll do it again next year, definately!