dead fuckin last....

I got dead fuckin last, but there is a story, and it goes a little something like this, a little experience would have gone a long way. So it was raining cats and dogs last night, and not the usual warmer rain, cold to the bone, kind of cold. So I arrived at the registration point, and irish pub near Safco field and yes the seahawks had won so it was mobbed with rabid fans, not really my cup of tea, but and interesting culture clash. Paid my 5 dollar entry fee and was handed my first manifest, with locations and addresses, being new to the area I asked around to get the idea, lets just say information was not that forth coming. So I just listened and got and idea of where the points were, there were however secret locations to be revealed at other locations. This being a press release party for Cranked magazine the theme was other publishers mainly the stranger, the seattle weekly, The Seattle PI, and the Seattle times along with others. So Red Bull was consumed, it was free after all, no vodka for me, others decided that was necessary, I imagine it helped them to stay warm. Justin the promoter, I had met him months ago at a Brewfest, wished us well and sent us on our way. It was a mad dash to the first checkpoint a mere 4 blocks away, to get a signature, I lost time here getting my manifest out, then it was off the the next checkpoint, running redlights, ducking through alleys, over slick as snot trian tracks, and the continual pounding of the rain. So I took the obvious route and was doing alright passing people and such. Note the next time I race one of these with secret stops I will think counter intuitively so that I can get the flow right, seems to be the way these things work. That and bring a real map of the city, laminated no less. From the second checkpoint it was off to the third checkpoint, trying to pick up items needed on the way. ok third checkpoint off the the fourth, up to capitol hill, should have come here second, would have worked out better, get to the fourth check piont, re think things and take off to the book store, I have a copy of the stranger check, seattle weekly check, auto trader check, now all I need is a copy of Real Change a magazine only sold by the homeless. Shit where am I going to find one of those, ah well it will happen. Off to another secret location right next to checkpoint two. shit I am going in circles. So all I need is the real change. Ride by the bar where the race finishes, not many bikes but I dont stop I need a full manifest. Anyway here is where I go from doing well to Dead fuckin last. Many folks finished without a real change and placed, this would have been handy to know, I could have finished 45 minuetes ahead of when I did, instead I rode around downtown, up to capital hill and finally down to Pioneer Square before getting a real change. I was happy, I had fun in the rain, and felt good. Next time I will if one shy of something finish or at least check in to see. I didnt crash, it was raining like I was going to need an ark, we are currently in a spelll of 27 or 28 days of rain, man I am getting used to being wet. So I had a few drinks met some cool people and got a my first spoke card as well as my dead fuckin last momento. Which you will have the pleasure of viewing in a few short lines. the important thing was I showed up had a great time and am becoming part of the excellent bike culture here in Seattle. With out further ado I give you
thats on the top tube of the fantastic crappy mountain bike frame that will go on the wall of the garage with a big DFL over it, to remind me that the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the ride. What a blessing to be dead fuckin last.