WORS #11 - Wolf River Rendezvous

Ted competed in his second to last WORS race of the 2009 season at Bear Paw Outdoor resort. This was a new course for the WORS series.  Ted convinced my brother, DJ, to make his WORS debut at this race and he agreed to race in the Citizen race (a 2 lap race and a total of 10 miles).  I decided to stay at my parent's house for the day with Valerie and my dad...which was a very good choice at 37 weeks pregnant!  My dad was very happy to spend some quality time with his favorite granddaughter too and both Valerie and I were able to take naps.

My mom, my sister, Kelly, and my brother, Dan, tagged along to watch DJ race in the morning.  He was SO nervous all night and all morning before the race.  Both Ted and I kept telling him that was a good thing and reminded him that Ted still gets nervous before a race.  I would be worried if he DIDN'T tell me "I'm SO nervous" as we drive to a race.  DJ decided to ride Ted's GT Golden Bike...which may have possibly made him even more nervous as everyone was stopping him to check out the bike before the race.  Ted even introduced him to Don, the WORS director, as well as several of the Elite racers he competes with and some of his Fond du Lac Cyclery teammates.  I've been told several people were impressed he chose this race for his WORS debut, because it was a very tough course.

Here are some pictures of DJ and Ted before the Citizen race as well as some pictures of DJ during his race...

Getting nervous...

 

Why, oh WHY did I let Ted talk me into this...

 

Dan and Kelly waiting for DJ to come through the woods

 

DJ coming through the woods...almost too fast for the camera!

 He's a hard-core mountain biker now!

 

Happy to finally make it to the finish, I'm sure!

Adrenaline rush making him think for a brief second that it wasn't so bad after all...

DJ put forth a great effort and we are all proud of him for taking on the challenge, despite very little training beforehand.  And, of course, Ted and I are trying to convince him to try out some more races next year.  He said it was one of the hardest things he's ever done (though both he and Ted agreed they'd rather do a mountain bike race or run a marathon than give birth - ha!)...but I think once the memory of the pain wears off he will consider doing another race. 

Ted's race was in the afternoon and only Dan and DJ stayed to watch his race.  (My mom had to drive Kelly back to college - thanks so much for hanging out with us, Kelly - we really enjoyed your visit!)  Here are some pictures they took during his race (or rather, pictures Dan took while DJ was sleeping off the pain and exhaustion of his first race!)...

 So sleepy...

 A rare pre-race smile...mostly because this was before DJ's race and he had some time to relax before thinking about his own race...

Bring it on!

A typical start to an elite race

A great action shot taken by my brother (thanks, Dan!)

Elite Men Overall Finishers

Ted finished FIFTH, which puts him in FIFTH place for the series overall results - a great accomplishment from his 14th place series overall finishes the past few years!  Way to go, Ted!  Only one more race to go...and a possibility for Ted to secure a 5th place position in the overall series standings...it will be an exciting last race!

And, for your viewing pleasure, I will leave you with a few pictures of the beauty that is Wisconsin in the fall...

Double rainbow on the way back to my parent's house

Fall colors

Fall colors