Jack's next race was in Sun Valley, at Galena Lodge. Jann and I dropped Jack off in the morning, and then had four hours to spend before his race time of 2:30. As we drove back to the campsite, we commented on all the people parking cars along the highway, which on other races has been prohibited. Hmm.
We had taken our bikes too, so we rode up the Harriman Trail, up the Wood River. We ate lunch up at the race venue, then rode back down and took the shuttle back up to watch the race. During lunch, the announcer said the Forest Service would cancel their permit, stopping the race, if people didn't get their cars off the highway. The afternoon races were delayed about an hour while people parked their vehicles in designated areas.
Finally, the start time approached.
It was windy, and dusty. Grit was in our eyes. Suddenly, a front moved through, and the winds got much stronger. Trees around us started to crack and fall over. Well, not actually right around us. Across the way on a hill pretty close to us though. We saw about five go over. They almost (again) canceled the race, but it calmed down again.
Jack, starting in the Frosh A heat.
Starting his two laps.
One of the trees that went down.
Near the end of lap 1.
As he passed us at the end of lap 2, he said "I crashed." See the blood on his knee?
Not much damage, but he did go over the handlebars, and down a hill, so he had to climb back up to his bike. He dropped about 5 people in the standings before he could get going again.
He was a little shaken, so he forgot to gear down for the sprint, and the little guy from Jackson passed him on the last straight. Nice panda.
