The BIG race

Kevin and his brother Cody, pre-race.

 Corey's big race of the year is the Park City Point to Point.  It's an 80 mile mountain bike race with huge amounts of climbing and technical trails.  It's what he trains all year for.  The night before the race we woke to huge rolling thunder and wild rain.  The week before there was talk of the trails being dusty and miserable, now there was talk of postponing  the race because of lightning and mud.
     Thankfully after about an hour of deliberating they decided to go ahead with the race.  I was really glad since we'd gotten my parents to come over at 5 am to spend the day with the kids and I simply didn't want to arrange the day all over again.

     Corey's had a great year biking this year so there was a lot of pressure for him on this race.  It's crazy how nervous and excited I get for him.  This year he asked me and his Dad to "crew" him.  This means we meet him at the aide stations and re-fill his bottles, give him the food he needs and help with anything he wants.  He stops at two aide stations for less than 2 minutes and it's an 8 hour race so there is a lot of waiting, expecting, crazy rushing and then cheering him as he speeds away.

Drew, Corey & Nick

     Stan and I went to a spot where we could see Corey before he got to the first aide station.  It's funny how I've come to know Corey's biking friends and know how they compare to Corey, their different riding styles and strengths.  At this first spot Drew, a Pro rider, was way in the front, then came Nick, very strong and then, quite a bit later,  Corey.   It made me a bit nervous, but Corey is an endurance guy and gets more strength as he goes so I knew it'd be okay.  They all were splattered with mud and wet.  We were cold ourselves, but they were all moving so Corey says he wasn't cold.  At the first aide station Drew came in looking good and was gone.  Then a bit later Corey came in followed closely by Nick.  He looked strong and didn't want much, especially to loose time.

The Podium

     We had much more time at the second aide station.  It was fun visiting with the other "bike wives."  We all get this whole obsession with mountain bike riding and it was nice to visit with everyone.  I knew a lot of riders this year and it made it fun to have so many people to cheer for and help.  Corey's Dad became the expert chain luber of that aide station since everyone's chains were in need of cleaning after riding the crazy muddy trials. 

Russ and Corey at the finish

     The finish was awesome.  Corey rides a singlespeed bike which means he chooses (obsesses over) one gear and that's what he rides the whole race, no gears to switch to make it easier, he just stands up and pushes through it.  It's an amazing and challenging way to go and Corey's really good at it.  This year his goal was to finish under 8 hours.  They cut about an hour off the course so it's hard to compare, but he finished in 6 hrs and 38 min. He finished 11th overall and won his division.  Amazing.  I'm so proud of him for working so hard and balancing his riding with a big family that takes a lot of time and attention.  Way to go Babe!!
     Thank you Mom and Dad for taking the kids for the day.  It's fun to have a day to think only of Corey and to support him.   The kids had a great time with my parents going to the Aviary, out to eat and spending time together.