Pix 1 & 2

Race Day was pretty darn cool.  The Start was moved from the original location due to mud!  I still dig the American and LiveStrong flags waving and the Gary Fisher banner made it another picture moment for me.  The podium included the Texas Flag so that had to get captured as well.

Shots 3-8

I was being allocated to Station E as a race course marshal.  Essentially my role was to take care of safety and call the leaders out as they passed.   I had no idea where Station E was located nor did I ask, as I had coffee and breakfast taco’s on my mind after being briefed at 7:20am.  Was I pleasantly surprised when I was dropped at Station E.  On the ride over, the ‘mule’ driver drove right by Lance’s ranch home aka Rancho Juan Pelota.  Trek trailer, some folks chillin, and so forth.  When I got to the drop, I was damn near in Lance’s backyard.  So each picture reflects the view from Station E in each direction…

Shots 9-13

After I was relieved, I made my way back up to the Start area just to catch a shot of the riders before being sent out to make their runs.  I then made the general pass through the vendor area and once again tried to catch the scene plus the gorgeous backdrop of TX Hill Country.   Shot 13 is the Finish which is hard to make out from the side angle I elected to shoot.

Shots 14-17

This is where my day got most interesting.  I walked the Start area seeking a cleaver spot to catch the Pro/Cat 1 0-99 class begin their race.  I ended up settling on a spot that offered a ‘rock’ to sit on, as I had 25 minutes to kill.   Picture 14 is the hole shot winner, next frame captures Lance (4th cyclist) but running 5^th out of the hole.  Now what?  I’m asking myself; that could be a bad picture I want something else to show the world I was at a cool event.   At this point I’m thinking down over the hill dude, they’ll be looping around in 2-3 minutes…  Frame 16 capatures a couple early front runners and frame 17 offers a not so great photo of Lance in action.

By this point in time I’m thinking I won’t get this opportunity too many times in life; I better position myself for the best and nearest spot to catch a solid picture of Lance riding in his inaugural mountain bike racing event.  BOOM, go to Station E.  I had learned from working the Cat 2 gig earlier that it would be at least 10 minutes before they would be at Station E.  Bingo!

The Shot

Lance giving it hell!

Needless to say, I was poised for another cool shot on lap 2 but Lance never made it back around again, as he had a flat and retired from the event…

Frames 19-21

I had a suspicion Lance would make an appearance at awards time.  Trying to figure if/when and so forth I over heard Ted from Mellow Johnny’s telling law enforcement the skinny on Lance and family coming down to hang at the podium.   I made my way to the left side of the podium and waited.  Within minutes the whole Armstrong Clan came rolling in on the previously mention ‘mule’.   Lance hinted to an ongoing Mellow Classic, maybe a Spring/Fall annual thing.  He also thanked many of the folk I had met and worked with on Pre Ride and Race Day.  He also explained the flat tire…

Photo 22

Remember me stating I had eaten breakfast tacos and had coffee earlier.  I also purchased a cool lid while waiting for my cup of Juan Pelota Café to brew up.   I expected Lance to quickly be escorted back to the mule and jet.  Nope, he was signing autographs but making his way to the mule in a smooth manner.   At this point in time, I’m watching folks flip out trying to get close to Lance but I did have my own interest in an autograph.  Bam!  Mellow Johnny’s Classic lid I was wearing… popped into my head.   I’m running out of time, the law is getting stingy; Lance and Clan looking to bolt.  But I was very fortunate as he signed the bill of my cap. 

To Lance it was merely another item being presented.  To me it was my special lid, originally purchased because I knew only 48 hats like this were in existence.  And I’m kinda like that; you know when you can get your hands on something unique and special, you gotta pull the trigger.  I feel the same way about good people and good times!  Cherish’em.

j a c k

PS, here’s how I knew only 47 caps were available-

@MellowClassic Almost forgot, if you're coming out Sunday get your hands on one of these [yfrog photo reference removed] 48 made & 47 left as JP found the stash 8:03 AM Nov 21st from Twitterrific