The Ephs-on-Wheels were all set to tear up the road this past weekend, when all of a sudden shocking and terrible news arrived via email: the Dirty Jerz was under water. If they wanted to race, they would have to bring a canoe.
Disheartened and frustrated by the lack of competitors to shell and spectators to wow, the Ephs could have just stayed in the Ark all weekend and bemoaned the lack of racing and sunny weather. But quick thinking on the part of Coach Cruz and Captain Lumby resulted in a Wonderful Williamstown Winter Wrace Weekend extravaganza.
On Saturday, time trialing up Petersburg Pass. Just like the Alpe d’Huez hill climb stage in the 2004 TdF, but more intense. Amy, Erik, Henry, John, and Todd all martyred themselves on the hill while Cruz sat comfortably in his warm Honda Element, giggling with malicious glee. If a jersey had been awarded for gratuitous drooling, Erik easily would have snagged it.
On Sunday, a battle of epic proportions against the elements. Coach Cruz led a small group of determined warriors on a sortie from the Ark which included killer climbs, sphincter-tightening descents, and a breakfast of snow and road salt. The Ephs staggered back into the ark three hours after leaving it, frozen, covered in mud, but filled with whatever the opposite of existential dread is.
To put things in perspective, the Yale ITT boasts of grades of around 15%. Rabbit College Road, arguably the main attraction of todays ride, has a section topping out at 25%. How’s that for steep, Yale?
Next weekend…nothing for the team. The ECCC schedule continues with the Philly Phlyer, which Amy may be attending, but which is pretty out of the way for most others. Erik, Ian, and John will be trekking down to South Carolina for the first week of spring break, showing those fools in the Williams Track Club that wheels are far superior to running shoes. Expect updates bragging of epic rides (can you say…century?), beautiful beach weather, and general tomfoolery.