Park City Point to Point

     I had to write a post to follow up on my well-wishes to my husband and his big race so here goes.   This year Corey asked me to crew him which means meet him a the various aide stations and get him what he needs, ie: food, water, ibuprofen, etc.  It was an amazing experience that showed me so much more about this race.  I crewed Corey with his good friend Derek who did the race with him last year.  It was a huge relief to have him there because he knows so much about the race and how to fix a bike if need be! 
    I took my camera with good intentions but it turned out to be a lot more intense than I planned on so you'll see all the pictures I took.  It's not a ton, but it'll have to do. 
     The morning was freezing cold.  The race started at 7 am and it was in the thirties.  Thankfully another bike buddy of Corey's lent him his long sleeve jersey for the first part of the race.   Thanks Drew!!  The top picture was at the first place we were able to see them.  We waited and cheered and Derek rode down a ways to a better spot to pass Cor a water bottle. 
    It was actually pretty funny for me to be there with a bunch of bike buddy's and listen to them talk.  All day long I heard strategy, who's doing what, what gears are being ridden, why Corey shines near the end of the race, etc. etc.   Being a biking wife I'm somewhat used to the "talk,"  but this was more than usual and quite entertaining. 
     Derek did a good job of showing me the trails that the racers were riding which was amazing.  In this race they basically go up a mountain and then down a mountain, up then down, up then down, for almost 80 miles.  It's insane to see what they're doing, I was awestruck.  
     Corey races on a single speed which means he doesn't use gears (it's a tough mtn bike thing, guys who need a challenge like my husband do it ).  Part of racing single speed is that it's an open category so a 20 year old on a single speed and a 55 year old on a single speed compete.  The bike buddy's kept splits of how far Corey was from the first guys and would let him know as he came into the aide stations.  The first aide station Corey was in 3rd and about 4 minutes behind the first guy.  He looked good and focused. 
     At the second aide station he was in second place, but a good 5 minutes behind first with about 22 miles to go.  He came in asking for ibuprofen and coke and left looking a bit tired (funny he'd look tired after riding 55 miles up and down mountains!!)  I was excited he was in second place, but didn't think he could make up the time to get close to first. 

     The finish was awesome.  Derek was keeping watch out for Corey and yelled that the first single speeder came through.  I looked up and thought I'd have a couple of minutes until Corey finished when three of his buddy's groaned as he finished....32 seconds behind first.   They felt his disappointment at being so close to first, but I was amazed.   I cheered, his buddy's talked some more and congratulated him.  He spend a little time tracing his steps finding multiple places he could have made up that time, but in the end he was happy with his finish.  He beat his time from last year by almost 20 minutes...not bad.  
     Corey's dad did the race as well.  He did an amazing job in a very difficult race!   We were so excited to see him finish.  Two friends of ours, Kevin Larkin and Russ Paige were both new to biking and finished in their goal times.  Way to go bikers!!!
     To Corey, I love you babe!  You never cease to amaze me at the way you take on your goals and achieve them!!  I'm so proud of you!