The Traveling Circus

Dan Frayer and his traveling circus were at it again. Haven’t seen them at the races? Just look for them under the red striped tent. (Not really, but a tall bearded guy on a pink bike is not too hard to spot either!)

Traveling Circus #8 
“The Hills of Grayling”

DFRAYER HANSON HILLSOn Sunday morning, June 7th, I woke up before the sun to pick up my pal Bill G.  Bill G. and I have been traveling across, around and through the state of Michigan chasing podiums since 2002 when we raced together for Western Michigan University.

It was a quality road trip spent sharing old stories and discussing pre-race jitters with the looming gray clouds in the distance.

The venue was Hanson Hills.  (a big emphasis on “Hills”)

A ten mile cross country loop with fast flowing trail and long grinding climbs.  The first lap was quick with me getting shelled off the back shortly after the start.  I was convinced that I was the back of the pack and I was not interested in suffering for last place so I slowed things down and enjoyed the trail.  At the start of lap number 3 (yes, 3 laps, 10 miles each + 30 painful mountain bike miles) another rider came from behind.  I saw his race number was close to mine and I quickly realized I was not in last place.  This gave me a rush of motivation and I pushed myself as the rain starting making the trail a bit slick in spots.

I managed to keep the bike upright for a 9th place finish out of 12 in the expert 30-39 class