Pedaling with no particular place to be...: Ras•poo•teet•sah

As I was having a going away breakfast at my current position, before transitioning into a new role, someone came to up to me and said “I know that you aren’t a hugger, but I’m going to give you one anyway.” I was taken back by this comment because I have never heard that come out of anyone’s mouth to me before!

Me?

Not a hugger?

Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout Willis?!?!?

•••••••

I was gonna write a Rasputitsa race report about how freakin’ out of this world Hiedi and Anthony rocked this year’s event! I mean come on, who else can convince a Bowie cover band from PA to come up to the middle of ‘cold/muddy/still F’ing snowing spring’ VT and play for a bunch of crazy cyclists who signed up to ride in all that said cray-cray that was happening?! Who else can help raise over $10k for Little Bellas MTB Mentor program?! Who else can collaborate with sponsors and vendors, like Colavita, Garneau, and Specialized to name a few, who all love to laugh and rock it out as much as they do?!

I was gonna say how I was kind of dreading the course profile, being a flatlander hangin’ by the seashore and all, but truthfully Mike Rowell’s course rendition this year was really superb! Long, steady, and hard climbs, but not complete redline explosion type climbs. And, with some of Mother Nature’s help; provided just enough ice/snow/mud to keep this ‘mudder’ happy and sunshine to soothe my Vitamin D deficient soul.

I was gonna write up how all the volunteers went out of their way to make sure the riders were safe at dangerous intersections. That they were cheering and supporting their heads and yellow monster foam fingers off. That they were feeding and fueling us with maple and chocolate covered bacon for those that can eat it. That they were hydrating us with bourbon....errr I mean necessary warming beverages to survive the elements.

I was gonna write that I was gonna beg my Teachers to update the grade that I received at the School of Rock & Gravel from F: For a F’kin’ awesome event to an A b/c of my Aero ‘I woke up like this’ hair pointers that Ali Tekrick took note of. Maybe, I could chat with Superintendent Carrie of the Village Sports Shop School District long enough and she would maybe give me a B(eer). But, I may have to warn her to beware of Prof. Powers. Dude takes others hard earned grades (or pizzas) and let’s others have them!

I was gonna write about riders who portrayed compassion, caring, and level headedness; who stopped their rides in some of the most challenging conditions, in some of the most remote spots on course, to take care of other riders, who either needed mechanical or medical assistance.

I really wanted to write about how many women I saw on course. I tried to give as many of them as I could, words of encouragement while riding near them! While our ratio of 196 F to 1036 M riders may not seem like much, being close to 20% of the field is a promising sign that we are slowly getting #moregirlsonbikes in the middle of mud season in NEK VT. I was gonna say that it was refreshing to see so many returning faces, but encouraging to see so many more new ones rockin’ it out there on course!

I was gonna write that this year’s Rasputitsa outdid the other three renditions that I have taken a part of and you are truly missing one hell of a show/event if you don’t go to the next ride/race/party.
But no; I’m not gonna write about all THAT.

What I am going to write about how this past weekend at Rasputitsa, I hugged SO.MANY.FRIENDS!
New and old; ya’ll got a solid big ‘ole hug!

To know me, is to know that I love supporting rad people, help out others when I can, and lend words of empowerment ‘n encouragement in any way possible. I try to smile as bright as I dress, laugh from my stomach and the bottom of my lungs, and if I know you well enough, count on a full and hardy hug!

It felt so damn good to see familiar faces that I usually don’t see ‘til CX season commences! It was also freaking awesome to reconnect with some of the strong and inspiring Bittersweet Women, who I felt lucky to make connections with over a kickin’ winter weekend! Those bonds are so good, seriously! And, I am pretty sure I hugged you ALL!

This is what events like Rasputitsa bring out. They bring out amazing people, a caring/welcoming community, and the real me. This is where I feel the most comfortable, surrounded by other passionate (albeit a bit crazy at times) friends, who happen to share the same fun addiction to adventures via bikes that I do. This is the essence of the Rasputitsa. And, THIS is why I keep coming back.

So here is my official Rasputitsa race report--
Thank you to all of the Rasputitsa-ians: Anthony and Heidi, the Rowell’s, the Pros, the Venue Hosts/Sponsors/Vendors/Charities, the Volunteers, the First Responders, the Towns that we rode through, the Spectators cheering on random desolate roads, the Kids with foam fingers, the talented Photographers, to my Wife for support/grit/love, and to all of the Riders.

Most of all; THANK YOU for all of the Hugs!