6/12 Hours of Tsali 2013: Race Recap

This past weekend, some of the crew decided to trek up to Bryson City, despite a 60% chance of rain and an 85% chance of being miserable in their decision, and try their hand in the 6/12 Hours of Tsali Race. The Swedish Eagle and KB chose to represent in their respective 6 hour solo fields, Little A stepped up to the plate to take on the 12 hour solo, and the Epod joined on to a 4-person team in the 12 hour field as well.  Myself, Spank, and Sir Chadliac were in tow as well to drink our faces off work the pits.

The race started off well, but around 6 hours into the event, rain decided to move in.  Needless to say, things got pretty nasty out on the trails and after about 10 hours of racing, the organizers decided to pull the plug early.  Smart move in my opinion, I'm sure the trails were taking a beating as were the bikes ( oh and I guess the people riding the bikes too).  Now, while I would love to go into great detail about the mental trials each rider faced in their endeavor to do well, reach personal goals, and pedal through the rain apocalypse, but I had a LOT to drink the pits were very busy!  I think it's best I recollect the race via imagery.

RACE Results:
Swedish Eagle: 2nd Place, 6-hour Solo
KB: 5th Place, 6-Hour Solo

Little A: 2nd Place, 12-Hour Solo
Epod (On team "Coming in Hot"): 1st Place, 12 Hour 4-Person Team

Congrats and Great job to everyone!!!

 

Little A and KB.  This is the last time we would see them smile for the next 12 hours...



 Creeper Series...

Sweagle and Taylor (Coming in Hot team member) discuss last minute race strategies.

Pit crew ready for action. (I think this was actually "early" in the morning and we were waiting for the 10:05am drinking horn.) 

Master Chef Spanky mans the grill for a lunch break.

A completely destroyed Swedish Eagle after 6 hours of fury, but second place in the bag!!

Little A, hesitant to take my advise to go out on another lap. I told her if she did the lap now she would beat the rain...  BAHAHAHAHA.

Well at least she's still smiling.

Professional support.

Side Note: as we are always in the market for interesting team members, I would like to ask that Beth and Jim HOFFMIESTER submit your applications to us immediately!  Thanks for your cooperation.

Brendon (Coming in Hot Team Member) after his first rain lap.

 

Epod thought he would avoid the rain laps. Negative.

Aaron's (Coming in Hot team Member) rain lap and also the last lap to secure first!

Little A on the podium for second place!

Epod gives his best "Magnum" pose on the team podium for first!

Sleeper Series... Sorry, Spank, we had to. We love you.