Two W’s produce a W
Wenger and I lined up last night with little chance of emulating Wheeler and his streak of three straight in May. We were without Mr. Wheeler himself as he was tasked with destroying his beloved sleepmaker and packing up his Nolan Ryan memorabila and prized TO popcorn kernel. As is well-documented by now, Ian is playing humpty dumpty, if only there had been hydrocodone and Shiner in 19th century England. Luckily Dr. Fullerton of Prolo Austin and Dr. Bomben of Performance Health Austin are going to show all the king’s horses and all the king’s men how to put a triple fracture back together again. In the meantime, Wenger and I had to be a bit measured if we hoped to win June’s opening Driveway criterium.
With a field of 50-60 featuring many of the regulars in town plus one Philly registrant (McCarty) and the lower course run up the corkscrew, we’d have to temper our enthusiasm until late in the race. It provided for a fine spectacle as groups moved clear all night long before the field came thundering across at 35mph. I also pulled off a feat I’d long fantasized about; pedaling through the top of the corkscrew. I think others have tried it and met gruesome fates like atomic faceplant and run into your neighbor and get cursed at. There were also some compelling primes offered in the race, like a Polar HRM. After all it’s never too early to start Christmas shopping for Wheeler.
So with three to go Wenger and I got off our butts and bridged to the main split. With a hair over one to go Wenger launched up my lefthand side and was marked momentarily by Stefan. The ennui of chasing Wenger down overwhelmed him as he passed through the S/F and Wenger was free. Except THSJ had other plans and as a train of three materialized for their finisher, Wenger was no longer distancing us. I scooted into position just as the final THSJ rider launched at a considerable distance. At the appropriate time, I did a sprint for 2nd place… then politely apologized to Wenger as I sailed past him for the win. 1st and 3rd was the final result. On my way home, Wenger and I checked out various eastside real estate and chatted up the several Austin Flyer’s grabbing a bite at El Chilito. See you next week.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:49 am
wait. sleepmaker- destroyed? the end of an era.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
‘fraid so. I gave him saws on Sunday morning. This was no mere amputation though, it was full dismemberment. *tear*
June 10th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I am afraid Sleepmaker is officially burried in the depths of garbage somewhere out there. I witnessed the dismemberment and I can honestly say, my eyes were as dry as the texas summer. For Wheeler, it was the end of an era.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Sleepmaker was more than just a couch, he was a friend. I’ll never forget the many moments we shared: playing Madden for hours on end; wrestling, drunkenly; and of course, sleeping, from 4:12 in the afternoon to well past sunset. When sleepmaker died, I felt like a part of me died along with it. R.I.P. sleepmaker, I’ll never forget you.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I never liked naps until I met Sleepmaker. She was warm and welcoming. Post-ride relaxing. Pre-game drink mixing. “Predators at War” watching. Sleepmaker was there no matter when you needed her.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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