Once again the time comes to suffer needlessly riding through the night, on a trail that no one would ride if not for this race.  To be ridiculed by friends, family, and Co-workers, and for what?  Realistically we know that our chances of winning are slim to none. So why?  Self satisfaction, for the love of the sport, I like to tell myself that it’s for the challenge.  But really when I think about it I believe that we all just have more than a few screws loose.  I’m excited to ride again this year, our team is one man different, but I think we will be better all around!  Matt (the Big Sexy)Jemmett is going to be strong as an OX from towing in a bike trailer fat tourists on vacation in Alaska.  Jason (Sneaky J) Brudnicky is our new team mate; he is going to be freaking amazing!  Chris (Franken C) Huggard…Oh Chris, once the plastic surgeon is finished putting Cs face back together he is going to look mean! And we can expect to see him ride Crash (his beloved Felt hard tail) like the champ that he is!  And me Yes Brett I know I’m fat, thanks for reminding me every chance you get.  I’m the slow poke in the “Four Hole”, the only other guy with as many screws loose that they could find to make a four man team.  I hope not to be the weakest link this year.  Last year my goal was to make it more than 1.37 miles in to the race (that was my previous best in a race…) and not have a “DNF” on the board at the end of the day. My goal this year includes that, and not to go into a full body cramp at the end of my fourth lap.  I’m just happy to be riding and with a little luck and God willing hopefully we can win a few baseball games…errrr….I mean race well.