Stone Temple 8

Just got back from doing the Stone Temple 8 mountain bike race. Held in Curt Gowdy State Park between Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming. I did the coed duo with my friend Sally Irmiger. Sally did the race 3 weeks out or so, from having a hand fracture pinned. We all got to the park on Friday and camped out. Preride of the course was done that afternoon. These are some great trails. Woods, open prarie,tecnical rocks. All good.
Saturday came and the race started with a Lemans start. I got on my bike after the brief run and immediately got on the wheel of Charlie Hayes. He was going pretty hard ( at least to me) and took the lead . After about 400meters or so I was starting to peel off and a gap was forming which was quickly filled in by another rider. I hung with this group of eight or so riders for a bit but as we made entry into the woods I was losing contact. As we got into the woods, I was working harder than normal and hit a rock straight on. I was thrown over to the right and over corrected, and then was on the left edge of the trail and hit what must of been a tree stump and catpulted over my bars. I got up pretty quickly and looked back to see my bike on the trail. I spotted a train of riders coming towards me and quickly tried to turn the handlebars to get the wheel in the right position. However I turned it in the opposite direction . Then trying to turn it back two times I was unable to get in front of the horde. It seemed like 10 - 20 riders went past me before I could back on the trail . After that crash my bike was all f#$ed up. The front brake was squealing and it seemed like my steering was off center. Got back on the trail and caught up to pack which was like pulling teeth. The first half of the course is rather technical and hard to pass. There was a lot more on and off the bike than you would want. Got through that lap and handed off to Sally.
As Sally took off my wife Sarah helped get me food and get my knee abrasions washed by the medics. Actually they let me wash them . I have lots of practice doing that; I am an emergency nurse by the way . I picked out a chunk of wood from my right knee. Otherwise just gnarly looking abrasions. Also sprained my right thumb. Went back to camp and Bob ( Sally's husband) helped me repair my bike . Readjust front disc brake, taped up jagged edge of broken front brake lever, and corrected steering. Rested a bit and then went back to switch with Sally.
Sally came in with a smile on her face and we fist pumped and and I took off on our third lap.
The rest of the race went on pretty well(no crashes and good trails).
Sally's daughter Heather( 2009 SSWC ) and her husband JHK came up to show support for Sally. When I was going out for my 4th lap they told me to make sure I finished prior to the 5pm cutoff so that Sally would feel obliged to ride another lap. So I finished my fastest lap yet as Sally went out for her 4th.
When I finished I was greeted by my wonderful wife with a beer in her hand for me. Life is good,.
Sally and I finished, had fun, and came in 5th place in the coed duo.

Walt