An Ode to Buckwallow

I saw the weather forecast for Sunday and it made me very unhappy. Rain. And rain every day leading up to more rain. Last year we found out for certain that Buckwallow joins Albion Hills as a race course that doesn't handle water too well.

I give you Exhibit A:

This year the course follows many of the same trails and boasts some extra rooty sections (+ rocks of course) that really put racers to the test once they become slickery. On the bright side, Buckwallow gets so wallow-like I won't have to worry about changing over to my mud tires -- tire selection just doesn't matter when you're racing in soup. But that's probably just my laziness talking. Tire changing is about my LEAST favourite bike chore in the whole wide world.

That doesn't mean I won't make other preparations.

Tonight for example, I just finished an "Ode to Buckwallow" workout. I started with some 30/30s (my favourite!) to remind myself what real kick feels like. And then, I did a trail ride through the don in which I purposefully dismounted and remounted every 2 or 3 minutes, running for 1 or 2 minutes with the bike. Something tells me this is going to come in handy on Sunday. To complete the experience, it even started to rain on me as I was finishing up.

I will also go to the shop and buy a new chain and new brake pads. This is a good idea for two reasons:

1) The surest way to ward off rain is to do everything in your power to be extra prepared for it. So if I buy these expensive items in anticipation of the carnage rain (and resulting mud) would bring Sunday, it will surely NOT rain.

2) If that doesn't work. I'll already have my new brake pads and chain before the shop gets cleaned out like after Albion Hills Ocup. Ha, I'm so clever.

So get ready to get dirty Buckwallow racers. It's going to be a gritty, grinny good time. Peace.

Buck, 2008 -- All done.