Fort Davis Hill Climb

Fort Davis Hill Climb

This morning was a little over a 6 mile hill climb to an observatory just outside of Fort Davis.    The hill climb started at 9 am but we got our butts up and moving around 7am.  Last night I conned the guys into watching a chick flick.   We all still got a good nights sleep.   I don’t think I head butted Johnny but once.

We got to the check in around 815 to get our numbers.   I heard there were two girls that were thought to be pro’s but not sure if they were or not.   I did not think I would do all that great in the hill climb after the two days of cycling I did.  I warmed-up a little by riding the first two miles of it.   I pushed pretty hard wanting to get some blood flow going and wake the legs up.   I also sort of planned my gearing for the first part of the section.    There were 3 places that got steeper on  this part and I planned on riding the last bump the hardest.   Wow I sort of planned…haha …whats wrong with me?

We all lined up to start and off went the gun…not really but we were all off.   Within the first 200 yds there was a break in the group.  I was on the back of the first guys.  Johnny was too but then made  a comment “yall have fun.”  I knew he was pulling my leg.   I did get up out of the saddle and start working it.  There were two girls ahead of me but not far. I got to sit back and study them….well I was not sitting back but I was studying.  Johnny was next to the lead girl and they were starting the third bump.  I took a breath and hammerd.  I went into the little ring for about a minute but then back into my big gears and pretty much stayed out of the saddle for the rest of the big climbing.  The last 1.5miles is a 19 percent grade.  I checked my back before starting it and did not see any other girls.  Not then I planned on taking it easy but I did not want to get passed in the end.  I worked my way up this last part of the climb.  I was sort of fading towards the end but out of the corner of my eye I could tell someone was trying to catch me.  I sat up again and worked it all the way to the end…not getting passed.   It was Johnny.   I had a feeling he was right on my butt.  Yesterday he said something when he went by me at the top of bear mountain.  He said “all the way to the top!”  I could hear him saying that to me in my head today at the end of the climb.   He did not get a chance today.

I ended up winning and I don’t think I did to bad among the men but not sure.  I won 75 dollars.  When I knew I had a chance of prize money I was excited.  Before the race I had planned on any money I won going into my puppy fund.   There is this girl named Cat that I met 3 years ago that lives in Midland and has a pet salon.  Well she sells puppy clothing and has good taste.  I had planned on giving her the money to send me some puppy clothing.  I saw her the first day I came to Fort Davis.

I guess you could say I am crazy.  What motivated me to keep riding and winning the money was the idea of dressing my dogs up.   Yes I am one of “them.”  Those kinds of people that dress their doggies up.  I can think of worse things to spend your money on like beer.

Author did great at the hill climb as well.  We call this weekend a JAS weekend.   We will most likely do it again.  JAS is our first initials if you did not figure it out.   Usually it is just Johnny and me so we call those S and J rides.   I love my buddies and we had a great time last weekend.

The Germans-  so we are on our way home now.  I have some company that arrived while I was gone in my house right now.   Marcus my friend came over to do the Texas Time Trials and brought a friend of his named Michael with him to crew.   They are at my house now waiting for me so I am sure we will have a little glass of wine this evening on my patio.  Marcus crewed for me at the Race Across the Alps.  If  you ever read that race report…he was cute guy that had to pull my pants up every 3 switchbacks up Stelvio pass.   He did ultraman last year so he is one of those buddies that I will always be friends with.   I have him for two weeks so it will be nice.  Hmmm 3 people and 4 doggies in one house…crazy.