What a GREAT final stage!!

We started out at Rafter 6 Ranch at 8:30 this morning in the rain. It was in the high 40s when we woke up, but Jeff and I decided to dress light and ditch the heavy Camelbacks.

The course was mellow, considering what we’ve done so far. Not as much climbing and only 47 km.

We started out on a dirt road which popped us out onto the highway (for 3 km). TransRockies had the right lane closed off so that as we traveled against the oncomming traffic, we had a safe buffer from cars.
The pace here was fast- too fast to hold for more than 3 km. But, I held on to Jeff’s wheel and kept with the group.

About 45 minutes into the ride we caught the 5th place team. (Boy did we want to beat them!) At the first opportunity Jeff and I jumped in front of them and kept up the pace- knowing all too well that if we let up again, at all, they could catch us.

We did good. We had a decent lead… until check point 2. Jeff’s chain sucked into his rear gearing and we just couldn’t get it out. We tried… hard. He pulled. I pulled. We worked at it together for a little while, and then he took off the rear wheel. (It sounds lIke an easy solutIon that we should have done ImmedIately but It’s not as easy to get Jeff’s wheel off. It requires using a wrench. Regardless, we did It. We had to.)

Just as Jeff was finishing up, they passed us. Ugh!!! No way was I giving up 5th today. We jumped back on our bikes, with competitive juices pumping, and began our accent up the next climb. I took the lead about halfway up, keeping my head down, hoping that Jeff would make the pass and catch me on the decent. I could hear the guy on the other team behind me. Then, nothing.

“Jeff?! You there?” I needed to know if we were together. It’s one thing to push together, but it doesn’t make sense to work against each other. If we’re taking this team, we’re doing it together. “JEFF? Jeffy?!”

“Yup. I’m here.” Came the voice from behInd me. “And go as fast as you want!”

That was it! We put the pedal to the metal and bombed the rest of the way into Canmore. Speeding through the Nordic area and down onto Main Street.

We made it!!! crossing the finish line in 3 hours, 6 minutes.

After a great day of riding (along technical, wet, rooty trails), an awards ceremony, and a celebration at the local watering hole… we’re pooped.

Thank goodness for our new friends and their hospitality in Canmore. Life post race (packing the bike boxes) has been so easy.

(Hey!!! This cross walk is for people only! Find your own elk crossing area!)

The view from Amy & Marc’s garage. Pretty nice, huh?)

TheIr view out the front… baby elk visit often.