With so much going on this weekend and a hefty workload at Specialized, I decided to check out the Wildflower Triathlon over the weekend. It helped that the trip was relatively short, with only a two-hour drive south from Morgan Hill.

The Wildflower venue is stunning and I could clearly see what this event is one of these legendary global events. It was cool to be there first hand. I stayed in a house with Terenzo, his girlfriend Kelly, his bro Dino, who is on a running scholarship in Oregon, his girlfriend Megan and other friends. It was only towards the end of the weekend, when one of his friends Phillipe asked me my last name …. It must have suddenly clicked with him, but Phillipe and I used to do battle ten years ago in the USA! We had a good catch up recalling the good old days! He told me that a few faces from those years gone by were still racing in the pro scene and doing well ….. It was nice to hear him say that I was one of the men to beat back then! Not any more!!!!

Although, watching the triathlon, which I really enjoyed, I did wonder on the drive down, if it would be something I would miss i.e. competing! The answer is that I am very happy where I am right now! MTB’ing has filled the gap left after my tri years!

Being accustomed to the bike race scene now and the driving associated with following a race, my gold rental (PT Cruise type thing) was found following every move on the bike, that is until some marshal on a motor bike and I had words ….. In California they didn’t seem to appreciate my driving style! Conrad told me only this morning, that there’s a few marshals out there who think they are GOD! Ah well, I kept quiet from there on, heading back to the transition area, got my Stumpjumper out of the car and followed the run, giving encouragement, while trying to keep well clear of the men in the yellow jackets! Terenzo was doing so well, but his young body, obviously tired from the efforts of the weeks gone by, had a tough day on the run. His course record still stands though …… Good job T. I have to say spending time with Terenzo this week has been really cool. He’s a real gent, dead sound and a good laugh to be around. I had a great time.

“The Caveman” as we say in Ireland is some man for one man! Well done on his first XTerra of 09 and to Dan Hugo on his third position.

Houffalize was a mixed affair with Rafa crashing out in 4X, Lene suffering from a bad start and finishing 12th, Todd laid out in bed with flu, Susi also with a flaky chest resulting in 12th. Burry too wasn’t feeling well in the days building up, but seemed to be better on race day. He had a bad start but the fighter in him pushed himself back up to 4th … WOW! The kid is impressive. He also won the U23 and is dominating those standings.