Gust Avrakotos: There’s a little boy and on his 14th birthday he gets a horse… and everybody in the village says, “how wonderful. The boy got a horse” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.” Two years later, the boy falls off the horse, breaks his leg, and everyone in the village says, “How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.” Then, a war breaks out and all the young men have to go off and fight… except the boy can’t cause his legs all messed up. and everybody in the village says, “How wonderful.”
Charlie Wilson: Now the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
Well, it's been a long interesting three weeks so let me start from the beginning.
Sunday three weeks ago:
The Denver Triathlon four weeks ago changed their course to include 6 trips over railroad tracks where the pavement had buckled so that riding over it created a jolt to the bike and rider. I never thought about checking my equipment after the race for signs of trauma. Fast forward to the night before the sprint. As I was filling the front tire I noticed that there was a crack in my 808 front wheel where the tire is glued onto the rim that had gone through to both sides. Since the race was the next day and I couldn't do anything about it, I just hoped the wheel would hold for one 17 mile ride.
The 5430 Sprint should more accurately be called the world sprint triathlon championships based on the level of competition. Any error in your race will move you off the podium. With that in mind, I tried to push the pace from the gun. I had a great swim, leaving the water with a sizable lead over my rivals. Not more then half a mile from the reservoir's entrance I hear the unmistakable pisst pisst pist of a tire going flat. It's my rear tire and I hop off the bike and cover the hole with my thumb to allow the tire sealant inside to cover the hole. Every time I moved my thumb I heard the continued sound of air escaping. As I am fiddling with my tire I watch the other competitors pass me and I can even swear I hear one of them laugh as they pass. Once all the air was gone, I turned around to walk back to the reservoir and then home. Two dozen steps later a mechanic's truck pulls up to me and offers a replacement rear wheel. It takes me a second or two to decide a poor result is better then not finishing, so I accept the wheel. Now, the new Zipp Firecrest wheels are considerably thicker than their previous wheels so we can't get the wheel into my frame until I release the rear break. This allows the wheel to fit into my rear triangle so I attempt to get back into the race, but the wheel is flush with the left brake pad. I stop and get off the bike again and the only way I can seat the wheel in the frame without it rubbing all the time is by placing the wheel in cattywumpus into the dropouts. At least the wheel isn't rubbing, but isn't in line with the frame. Again I try to join the race that's passed me by and this time the bike is rideable even though the wheel flexes into the left pad on every pedal stroke. By the time I get off the bike I'm spent, but I manage to run into 5th place in the age group. I'm happy with the place considering the hardships, but it's a place that I know takes me out of the running for the series points race.
“How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
Monday:
I have been going to the same physical therapist, Todd O'Mara since my knee surgery in 2008. After looking at the Achilles tendinitis in my left ankle he tells me that it's time to see a doctor and I may need to start wearing a boot. Then Bikesource confirms my wheel is unrideable and since it's 7 years old, it's past warranty.
“How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
Friday:
Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays I take care of the kids all day. Anja wanted to go the the zoo and then I had arranged to take her to my in-laws so I can get a quick ride in. To save time I pack my biking stuff into the car, throw the bike on my roof rack, grab some snacks and head for the zoo. Anja and I were having a very animated discussion about Rapunzel in the movie Tangled when I swing the car into the lower level of the Denver Zoo's garage which has 7 feet of clearance at best. The ripping sound almost makes me puke. I run out of the car forgetting to put the parking brake on, see my mangled bike on the pavement, watch the car roll further into the garage, sprint to catch up to the car, yank the brake, run to my bike, wrap my 70 feet of magic hair around the bike and the frame and fork, "Flower gleam and grow, let your power shine, make the clock reverse, bring back what was mine ..." It's no use. I place the bike in the trunk and the roof rack which was also torn off in the front passenger seat and take off for Turin Bike shop where I bought the bike. En route I manage to get a photo ticket for stopping beyond the white line at a red light. I then find out at Turin that the handlebars, fork, and rear wheel are ruined and the frame seems "OK". However, you can't always tell with carbon.
“How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
I order a new fork and jump back into the car to go to the shop I always go to, Velosoul, Chris puts the bike on the stand to do his own assessment of my race bike.
Note: Velosoul is a small boutique bike shop close to my house that was opened three or four years ago by a friend of mine. Although the shop is under it's third owner, I have remained with the shop. They are too small to really sponsor athletes, but they help me when they can and I am always grateful to them. Last year they tried to get me into a Jamis bike since that is what they sell, with little luck
Not more than 5 minutes later the new Jamis rep comes through the front door on his once every 8-12 week shop visit. I can't believe it! He looks at my bike, we talk about triathlon and our mutual friends in South Florida (I used to train out of Naples, FL), and the shop. I give him my resume, and I leave the shop hoping for the best.
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
I then start driving Anja back to the zoo when I get a phone call from the foot and ankle doc who reiterates that I may need a boot and make an appointment for the following Tuesday.
"How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
Anja and I have a great time watching the sea lion show as well as the new elephant show were I see an elephant swim for the first time.
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
Monday:
First thing I get a call from Velosoul. Jamis is going to sponsor me and give me a Xenith T2!
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
Next Thursday:
My training partner Tracy Matteson (we share race wheels) gets a used Zipp firecrest 1080 front wheel for cheap. I pick it up.
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
The next Friday:
My bike arrives in the shop two days before the Boulder Peak Triathlon and my only chance to qualify for the 5150 US championships
Saturday:
I ride it for 45 minutes. It feels good, but is different then my previous bike. I'm further forward which will be better in the long run, but it uses my hamstrings more and I can feel it. Me on the new Jamis
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
Saturday night:
The new tire I had purchased and glued to my rear disc after the flat gets sliced on glass and is filled with slant and silicone. Here we go again.
"How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
Sunday (Boulder Peak)
The tire held air overnight, so there is hope. I have another great swim getting out in 19:30 and the effort felt easy. I had a huge lead over my age-group. Normally I know that if I can get to the summit of Old Stage Road I should be able to out run anyone who passes me after the summit. I like to start the lead up to the steep climb fairly conservative I that when the climb really starts I have some power to put into it. All goes well with this strategy until I hit the Lee hill. As soon as I get out of the saddle or push hard on the peddles, the new front wheel rubs in the brake pads. I start having deja vu to the last race. Despite this disadvantage I manage to hold the lead past the summit and all the way to the turn onto 63 where there are only 10 or so miles to go. I get passed by two and starting the run I can see one of them. I pass him just after the first mile marker and then set my sights on the lead. I gain the lead after the second mile marker and after the turn around, I know that I will not be caught. I end up winning the age group by about two minutes. To make the day even better, the first two places from the sprint didn't do the race, the third place finisher finished fourth at the Peak, and I am now sitting with a four point lead in the age-group points race!
“how wonderful.” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.”
After these three weeks I will forever be in debt to Velosoul, Jamis, and Tracy. This small thank you can't express my gratitude. Thank you.
I also would like to thank Runners Roost, PowerBar, and Pearl Izumi for your continued support.
Kirk Framke
Kirk! Amazing story - and yay for Jamis for coming through with a sponsorship. Kismet for sure.
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