Ouch

[SeaCat]

My parents have been working with their local hospital to create and run a fundraiser for their local hospitals Childrens Oncology Unit. I got involved in this and ended up being shanghaied into a bike race. Every time my parents mentioned it the just grinned.

Because of this I trained a bit. I dug my mountain bike out of the shed and started pushing it a bit on the local bike paths. I felt that I was ready.

This morning dawned cool and a bit windy, nearly perfect weather for riding up to this fund raiser. We geared up and did the two hour ride. Needless to say I was smiling when we pulled into the parking lot of the hospital to meet up with my parents. We parked the bike at the end of a long line of other bikes. More than I expected to see at the hospital. We locked our helmets in the cargo box and went around to the side parking lot where they were having this fund raiser.

They had tents and grills set up. The place was crowded. I could see more than a few patients wandering around escorted by staff as we made our way to the registration tent. That's were we met up with my parents and were given our badges.

We were introduced to the local mayor who welcomed us warmly. We were also introduced to the C.E.O. of the hospital who chatted with us before taking our E-Mail Addy and promising to get in touch with us about jobs. (Huh?) We toured the fund raiser and checked out the booths before grabbing some things to eat. Because I was to race I kept it light.

We watched a couple of contests and listened to the people there. Every one was having fun. They had a Three Legged Race and a Sack Race. They had a Blind Mans Race. All were fun to watch. Then they announced the bike race.

I shrugged out of my leathers and handed them to my father as they started introducing the racers. Five Moto Officers, Eight M.D.'s and me. I looked over my oponents and saw they were all fit and in shape. Then they brought out our bikes and we got ready for the race.

I could see the course laid out ahead of us as I climbed aboard and familiarised myself with my ride. A straight way from the starting line to the first turn. A left turn then another straight but uphill. This was followed by another left turn then ran downhill to the finish line. Looking at the bike I was sitting on and then at the track I knew this was going to be a grueling ride. From the comments coming from the other riders I knew this was going to be a rough ride.

I climbed aboard my ride as the starter came out to the line. She raised the flag as I lifted my feet onto the pedals of my bike. Every thing was ready and when she dropped the flag we were off.

I was pedaling for all I was worth as we came off the line. Where I was in the middle of the pack it was brutal. People were pushing and bumping as they tried to get position. I moved to the outside of the pack looking for an advantage as we came up on the first turn. AS I entered the turn I was bumped hard and went down in a tangle of limbs and bike. I ignored any potential injuries as I pulled my bike up and climbed back aboard before starting to chase the pack up hill. Now my conditioning came into play. My feet were flying on the pedals as I closed on the other riders struggling up the hill. Oh we were sweating and swearing as we climbed that damned hill. Whoever had set up this course was a sadist.

I caught up with and passed several riders. Some of them tried to block me but I was able to dodge them as I screamed past them. I was hauling ass as I came up to the next turn. I leaned into the turn while fending off another rider. Oh this was death race time. We were all out for blood as we came onto the downhill stretch.

Now we were making some speed and the fighting got nasty. I was ducking and dodging the other rides as we raced for the finish line. No longer could I hear the crowds cheering, all that existed for me was the rumble of the bike beneath me and the sight of the finish line. Faster and faster I raced as I came closer to the end of the race. Then something went rong with my bike.

I felt the back end slew to the right and fought to keep it upright as it tipped. Before I knew it the pavement was coming for me. I hit hard as I watched my bike sail past me. In that momentary clarity one gets during an accident I could see a rear tire had come free. As I rolled over I saw one of the other racers cross the finish line hands high in victory.

Sitting up I checked myself over for injuries. Shaking my head I climbed to my feet and ran over to where my wounded bike lay on it's side. I stood it back up, climbed back aboard and started pedaling as the rest of the pack closed on me from behind. I could hear an unholy grinding from beneath me as I pushed the bike to it's limits. I knew I was leaving a trail of sparks behind me as I crossed the finish line next to last. I had made it. Injured and bleeding I had made it.

My injuries were attended to by the Emergency staff in attendance for just this event as I accepted the handshakes and hugs from the other racers. Once all of the injuries were attended to we lined up for the prizes. The winner, an M.D. received a six inch tall trophy.

Our bikes, or what was left of them, were lined up for the public to view. I myself made my way down the line of bikes to check them out and couldn't help smiling. Fourteen mini Tricycles were lined up.

My main injury was a small bit of road rash on the point of my right shoulder. The worst injury was a lost finger nail.

Talk about a blast.

Cat