April, 2010; Le Tour de Tick

Subject: Stressing about Weather – kinda like Death and Taxes.
OK, I know the course sheds water well, I know the Crew has, & continues to design / re design elements to avoid problem areas & damage to the trail, but stressing over the Weather… will it ever not be a part of event planning? I don’t think so.
The week leading up to the most awesome weekend in the world was perfect, a sprinkle here & there – just enough to have the course in perfect condition… then came Saturday; wave, after wave, after wave of narrow storm fronts & then, as we watched the intense rain taper off, (with about 15 other wannabe pre riders), we decided to walk a bit of the course; it looked good, we saw the sun peak out…Game is on! Sleep well, no worries.
As the morning grew up, while sipping on Starbucks and chomping on Nathan’s, we watched the parking & registration areas start to rapidly fill up, a new stress arises, oh Shiest! we are gonna be slammed! Oh well, good problem to have! The Crew at Registration, Food & Scoring pulls together, final check by the Course Boys – thumbs up from all - the beginner groups grow & grow – nothing to do but kick back & let the awesomeness flow.

Wow, WOW! – huge group of Beginners from ladies to kids to old guys! Off they go for their respective laps being led by the crazy 3Hour Marathon classes, knowing that swag from Kuat Racks, Paceline Products, Trek, Bicycle Specialists, Hammer Nutrition & Sock Guy await – some are wearing their new Le Tick Backpacks while others are already drooling, thinking about the grilled Nathan’s dogs, Boulevard Wheat & Pepsi awaiting them at the finish
Throughout the day the music and camaraderie build & grow, our “Track Stand Benefit” for Kaiden Brenfoerder starts off slow but picks up steam & the interest in those funky Trials Bikes draws the curious & challenges the willing. The Sport & Expert classes build, flexing, warming up, gettin’ ready to challenge the fastest lap record & battle for bragging rights, awards & cash provided by Merrill Lynch, Mikes Lawn & Landscaping & Transport Trailer Service of Joplin.
Once all have done their time on the Bicentennial Trail, mummers of “amazingly dry”, “Big Daddy was sweet”, “great course”, “my son had a blast”, “where is the Beer?”, “how many hotdogs did you eat?”, “when are you gonna raffle the bike, Rack & Jersey?”, “my daughter had a blast!” float above the fun in progress. The awards go off almost glitch free, the swag starts flying, the Boulevard flows & stories of the day build, plateau & taper off as handshakes, hugs & see ya next year slowly fill the air.
Stress or not – we had a blast & thank everyone for their participation, whether you were a Sponsor, Spectator, Racer, Family or Friend - if you were here, we are glad you came – if you weren’t – we missed you. Thanks to all & especially those that help bring the Le Tick awesomeness together!

Much Love to: Our Sponsors, Racers, Trail Crew & the MDC.

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