where my turkey at?

As I've stated in my two previous posts, Creek to Peak was incredibly muddy. In fact, with the exception of Big Bear, every race I have done this year has been muddy. 3/4 muddy races. I'm no wizard of the mathematics, but I think that with 75% of races muddy, I would have been better off using mud tires than hardpack race tires. Crossmarks are not terrible in the slop, but they do leave a lot to be desired. And as much as I love my rampage up front, it does not hold well when the trail gets really wet.

I have read great things about how well Michelin XC/AT's work in the mud, and I do have a pair of them, but I just can't bring my self to put them back on my bike. I hate them. So much. The traction on wet roots and rocks is just awful. Me thinks I need to try some of these or these. Maybe a nice stout would do the trick.

And again I was not riding smoothly, and I was starting to think about washing the mud off myself before the first hour was over. But I wasn't until after the race had ended, or more accurately, until today that I realized what had really gone wrong.

I forgot tender foot. 

From Worthless Garbage

Upon realizing that he was no where to be found, I rushed to my bike room to check for the little turkey.

From 2009 Racing Season

1 keet (I don't have the par yet), 1 stanley, 1 small grey willis dinosaur, 0 tender foots.

0 tender foots. That's one tender foot less than there should be on that table. In a panic I sprinted to the shrine of the water demon for council.

From 2009 Racing Season

"Beolow in me mouthhh" exclaimed the water demon.

So blow I did

From 2009 Racing Season

The sweet melody of the water demon song was heard for miles around. I paused after playing the tune, but alas, tender foot had not come. I began to get suspicious. 

From 2009 Racing Season

This lump of a cat has been known to eat things larger than a tender foot. I contemplated squeezing his stomach to see if tender foot would cry out, but thought better of it. I must continue my search. Hopefully the small squeaky turkey will come back soon.

From 2009 Racing Season

I'll be watching this creep. Something about him seems shady.