Speed-wise, I was already pretty slow at last year’s TTTT, and that was when I had two lungs, so I had pretty much ruled out riding it again. But when Nelson had to cancel three days before the event, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse Ray, Steve, and Peggy on the mixed recumbent team, Mixed Bag O’ Nuts.

Ray, Steve, and Peggy are great teammates, and I thank them for their support and encouragement, and having me on the team. As for me personally, I guess this was a good test to let me know where I stand. With smart bike riding, I had managed a personal best at the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred, but with these hills in a no-drafting event, there’s just no faking it, and I was 31 minutes slower than last year, doing the same six twenty mile laps. Part of it was missing lung tissue, no doubt, but part was also lack of hill training, I suspect. It has been such a monumental feat to drag myself up hills this year, that I just haven’t sought them out as much as I did last year. I have recovered further than I thought I would this year though, so I won’t complain.

Volunteer DJ seemed to be everywhere helping everyone again this year. Thanks, DJ (but you really need to be riding this event next year, instead of me).

And here are the holders of the TTTT 500 mile mixed recumbent team course record: The Mixed Bag O’ Nutz, Ray, Steve, Peggy, and me.