General Discussion Triathlon Talk » The accidental race Rss Feed  
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2014-04-12 11:11 AM

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Champion
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Alabama
Subject: The accidental race
Spring has sprung, the weather is gorgeous and no matter how hard I tried I could not come up with a plausible excuse for not going for a bike ride. Being prone to excess, I resolved to NOT overdo it and bike too far for my winter-hibernation physical condition but divine providence would intervene. I headed out to my shop to dust the cobwebs off my bike and when I aired up one of the tires the valve stem broke and it went flat. Crud. It’s been a long time since I’ve biked and even longer since I’d changed a flat. But it all came back to me and I fixed the flat and was soon on the road. I decided to bike 28 miles which would be half of the distance for the race I’m scheduled to do this fall. But at 13 miles out I made a left turn on my normal bike route and found myself smack in the middle of a race! It was the Heel and Crank Duathlon. As I rode along in the race I asked one of the bikers what the race was and he said it was a 3 mile run – 13 mile bike – 3 mile run. Cool! I just happened to join them right at the start of the race in Bell Mina (a quaint little town named after the Belle Manor Plantation that was pronounced “Bell Mina” but southern folk). Instead of turning back at 14 miles into my ride I decided to continue to ride along with the race!

I began to feel guilty for ‘participating’ in the race although I’m not sure why. After all I reasoned, this was MY regular bike course and they were the ones on my turf. But I didn’t have a race number and I was wearing ear buds and listening to music which was probably a rules violation. They went from Bell Mina to Swancock Road then cut off towards the river to make a loop. I’ve biked this route hundreds of time. There is a really steep downhill on a very rough chip-seal road. Right at the crest of the hill I heard a female voice say “on your left” and I thought, ‘fat chance’ as we started to descend and I grained speed and probably hit 40 mph and she never did come around me. Well, until the next uphill. The downhill is where us old fat boys excel! I continued to ride with the race guys as we looped back to Swancock and were heading back. And then I saw the reason I was out there.

Up ahead I saw two riders on the side of the road. They were working on a flat. I pulled up to see if they needed help. One of the guys was struggling trying to get the tire off and the other guy was holding the wheel. Neither guy knew what they were doing! I asked if they needed help and the one holding the tire said, “He needs some help, his hands hurt and he can’t get the tire off”. I quickly got off and took the wheel from them. I had just ‘practiced’ this a couple of hours ago! I had the tire half off the rim, the old tube out, put a little air in the new tube, put in the tire and put the tire back on the rim in record time. I then aired it up with their CO2 cartridge and put the wheel back on the bike. Soon they were back on their way.

The one who had the flat rode on ahead and the other guy pulled up beside me and thanked me for helping. He said, “That man has ALS and that is why his hands were unable to fix the flat. I think this race raises money for ALS. I’m pretty sure God put you there today to help him.”

After riding with the race for about 10 miles I cut off and took a shortcut back home. I am spent. My legs are toast now – so much for my resolution to not overdo it today. Oh well, it was a fun ride (race) and I was able to help someone and that is always a good feeling.


2014-04-12 11:24 AM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Subject: RE: The accidental race
Thanks for a positive story!
2014-04-12 12:12 PM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Member
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Franklin, TN
Subject: RE: The accidental race

Great story!  Good luck in your 70.3...you've earned some good karma.  I feel your pain about the 1st ride of the season..mine was last weekend.  Ouch.  I've been running in the off season so at least that's improved.

2014-04-12 9:59 PM
in reply to: JoelO


113
100
Subject: RE: The accidental race
Good read! Thanks for sharing.
2014-04-12 10:02 PM
in reply to: JoelO

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Extreme Veteran
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Hollister, CA
Subject: RE: The accidental race
A random act of kindness and a workout! Nice!
2014-04-12 10:32 PM
in reply to: EV3110

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Master
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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: The accidental race
Very Cool. Race bandit turned SAG support!


2014-04-12 10:47 PM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Veteran
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Redding, CA
Subject: RE: The accidental race

Great story! Sounds like a fun day and tomorrow's soreness will be a positive productive soreness.  

2014-04-13 12:09 AM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Member
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Pearland,Tx
Subject: RE: The accidental race
Good Job Mike!!!

ALS(Lou Gerig ,Blazeman) is the saddest among neuro degenerative onset is
consistently progressive.

2014-04-13 6:45 AM
in reply to: reecealan

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Champion
10154
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Alabama
Subject: RE: The accidental race
Originally posted by reecealan

Very Cool. Race bandit turned SAG support!


LOL. Perfect title for my post. Wish I'd thought of that. :-)
2014-04-13 7:26 AM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Member
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Subject: RE: The accidental race
A good ride, a good deed, and sore muscles. The recipe for a perfect day.
2014-04-13 8:43 PM
in reply to: b2run

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Veteran
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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: The accidental race

That. Rocks.

Thank you!

Matt



2015-03-25 7:46 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: The accidental race
I just got an invite to volunteer for this race this year.....as an official volunteer, not accidental volunteer.
2015-03-25 8:37 AM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Deep in the Heart of Texas
Subject: RE: The accidental race

Thanks for bumping the story - I don't remember reading it last year.

2015-03-25 8:54 AM
in reply to: Rogillio

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Master
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: The accidental race

Originally posted by Rogillio I just got an invite to volunteer for this race this year.....as an official volunteer, not accidental volunteer.

After reading your original post, I think you HAVE to volunteer. 

Thanks for sharing.

2015-03-25 11:17 AM
in reply to: #4980590

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91
252525
Subject: RE: The accidental race
Great story....reminds us of what we should be thankful for
2015-03-25 2:42 PM
in reply to: NJBIll

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Extreme Veteran
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Greenwood, South Carolina
Subject: RE: The accidental race


Great story! Loved that you stopped and helped the guys change the flat.

I always stop on my rides if I see someone changing a flat. I was on vacation in the Isle of Palms in Charleston, SC once and stopped to help a local change a flat. He gave me a great recommendation on a restaurant and it is still one of my favorite all time places to eat. Karma.


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