Traveling pains

Pain drives me. It is my friend. I do not always get along with it but with friends that is natural. Last week my friend(pain) injected some. For the most part  the Alabama trip was beautiful. But due to lack of bicycle delivery to destination( this was a world championship race) two of us had to rent bikes from local bike shop. I grabbed the brand new never before ridden Niner Air Nine offered to me. Pavel got a close second with his Niner full suspension albeit: Used.
           But used and tested can be a good thing. My beauty of a bike had difficulty with the rear tubeless tire staying sealed to the rim. Flat tire came on after my first smack on the rocky and rooty course. A few CO2's and no tube later I just depressingly rode on the rim. At the World Championships. Far, far away from home. Very slow moving with lots of time to think (when pain appears) I thought about the run and figured I'd add a dose  more discomfort (the kind I really prefer). And that I did.
            In the pics are the bikes we shagged from local shop "Cahaba Bicycles". Great "Coates Cyclery" like- cool family vibe.
       With no team uniforms (and most race related necessities) we trained in board shorts (maybe that's underwear for Pavel) and borrowed running shoes. That is Roberts bike case being loaded as we laughed and kiddingly asked: Where's ours??
           Robert Little (fellow Team USA and amigo) was born and raised in Vestavia Hills which was only 10 miles away from Pelham. We drove through his old neighborhood, visited his high school and like a couple of 15 year olds challenged each other to a one mile race on his alumni high school track. That was a kick. And the sort of pain I prefer.

       Although we got holed up out of the gates and had to unexpectedly stay overnite in Dallas enroute, bikes lost, race gear too, flat tires and all............. we had one bitchen time. When life hands you lemons: Make lemonade. I made the best I could. And that tangy sting I felt earlier in the week? Getting weaker. The party goes on. Hard and heavy. Pain can be your friend...................................