Six Gap over the Magic Stick

***This is book two of the Magic Stick series, please make sure to read book one Jack Rabbit and Search for the Magic Stick

Six Gap over the Magic Stick

I have learned not to knock the wisdom of the MTB crew. The night prior to
Jack Rabbit, I learned invaluable advice that I was determined to try out
for Six Gap. 1) Avoid fruit and yogurt at all cost before a race/ride. 2)
Magic sticks with the trigger point technology are just that....MAGIC.
After my jog through the spectacular Jack Rabbit course (Ladies...we should
give this race a try next year!), I spent well over an hour using my magic
stick (minds out of the gutter people) to roll out the knots in my legs to
prepare for Six Gap. The magic stick did it's MAGIC people!

I have to happily report, that the knowledge that I learned from Fruitless
and M.E. was spot on! They know what they are talking about. Six Gap was
AWESOME. The weather turned out perfect for a 104 mile ride in the North Ga
Hills. Lindsey, Andy, and I disembarked at 7:30 am Sunday morning for an
adventure. Before we even made it to Gap #1 (Neal's), Lindsey and Andy
asked me if we had already climbed our first gap. Unfortunately...no. We had
just made it passed the infamous Rock Pile and had a little to go. Lindz
planned to do 3 Gap, and Andy and I were going to do 6 Gap. Our deal is to
always climb at your own pace and meet at the top. I knew when I passed a
group which included Andy in it and he didn't look happy, things may not go
as planned. Sure enough, Andy's legs were wiped out by heavy squats from
Cross Fit....damn XFit!! I told him that if he wanted to do 3 Gap, now was
the time to make the decision because the turn off was in the middle of
descending Neals. I lost my buddies. They turned on Wolfpen and I
continued on to complete 6 gap.

At this point I decided to get my miles and hours in for training, don't
give up no matter how difficult, listen to some good music, and make some
friends. I don't have company on the Ironman...need to keep that in mind
here. Jack's was typical...rolling hills, a pain in the butt, and keep
moving. Rest stops were packed and people were blocking tables, so I
bypassed and kept on trucking. Good thing is riding with Super Freak, I
know the route and know the places I can stop. Unicoi was a great climb,
nothing spectacular about it, other than I knew that the 50 mile mark was
about half way down. Whoohoo. I met a friend at this point, but I'm pretty
sure I pissed him off when I said I didn't know how people did this ride in
6 hours...he said he could do it in 6 1/2 and took off. LOL. Then...the
dreaded HOGPEN. It's a 7 mile climb with the steepest elevation that makes
you want to cry...and makes you want to walk or run because you can get up
it faster that way. I know I saw 3.7 mph once. The remainder was typically
4.0 mph. OUCH. I was DETERMINED not to walk...I always have in the past,
but damn it, I didn't want it to beat me. This was the climb to make
it...then it's all downhill from there....and I freakin made it. I almost
cried when I reached the top...okay I did tear up...saw Super Freak and
Frisbee and knew it was in the BAG!!! Of course all they wanted was for me
to get them food from the SAG stop. No glory.

The next two Gaps were Wolfpen and Woody. I was ready to get back to the
car and hit the road, so it was all about just getting it done. My legs
felt like Magic the entire ride, so I give cudos to M.E., Super Freak, and
Fruitless for the good magic vibes! Total of 8 hours on the bike for Six
Gap....and I'm tired.

I know I've talked most of you into doing Six Gap next year, so we should
have a great showing in 2012, right?

Jogger

Jack rabbit and the Search For the Magic Stick

Cast:
Josh Fix as Super Freak
Bill Riddle as Fruitless
Dave Muse as Oracle
Mitch Mercer as M.E.
Amy Fix as Jogger
Lane Fix as Frisbee
Steve Jullian as Mex
Clark and Suzy Neal as no shows

The tale unfolds at an undisclosed location in Lee County, Georgia. M.E. and Fruitless meet and start loading up gear and a new secret mix. They point their vehicle north and the adventure begins. As the pair discuss strategy, Mex calls to give them details of his ride at Dauset of the prior week. Apparently, Mex took a twenty minute break to show a photographer the finer points of camera angles, fishing techniques, coupon clipping, and cake baking during a LAP! The photographer said "hey, man aren't you racing?...you need to go!" After that disturbing phone call, they hit the Atlanta city limits and decided they needed a magic stick. First stop was Performance Bike. "Hey man, where are the magic sticks?" asked Fruitless. "What?" responded Clark the clerk. "It's on your website!, do you not offer the same items you advertise on your website!?". The look of total fear came over Clark the clerk and the traveling pair decided to take their business elsewhere. REI! Yep, they had the magic stick and backpacks. Fruitless offers his expertise "You pack it, put it on your back and go". With the newly acquired magic sticks, Fruitless and M.E. head to the Cleveland GA Huddle House. "What would the Oracle do?". ... No meat! The night before the race.
They took his advice. After arriving at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee, the two broke out the magic sticks and started the magic! Super Freak, Jogger, and Frisbee came into that scene and almost turned around and headed home. Fruitless and M.E. assured them it was ok and encouraged the to try the magic stick....all three did and the magic was shared by all.
Race Day
The pair found a site next to Sean Fitzgerald. Howdie do-s were exchanged then Sean said "Hey man, are you ok? I witnessed the heaving from Tribble Mill and that was frightening!". Yes, Fruitless is ok. With the tent erected, Fruitless left the scene to " Have a few moments of prayer". Oracle set up his chair against the erected pop up and more wisdom was shared. "The most important night of sleep is the night before the night of the race." Super Freak, Jogger and Frisbee rolled in and pre race routines ensued. Jogger set off on a quick 10 miler, Frisbee wanted to show off his tossing skills and Super Freak was ....well, all secrets cannot be shared. 1 minute before the race, Frisbee looked at Fruitless and pointed out everyone had left the scene but him....Why? Fruitless dashed to the starting line. The course had been extended to 10 miles this year. The start line was on a paved road a mile from the trail head. With the gunshot start, Super Freak tucked and lead the pack to the trailhead at roughly 32 mph. The conga line lasted about 4 miles when a little carnage began on an up hill tree/ rock/ camera happy flashing dude after the rock garden climb, the trail the went skyward to the top of jack rabbit mountain, more walkers...on the first lap! Then a fast, downward 5 miler of roller coaster twist and turns that had everyone smiling at the end of lap 1. The pack broke apart with Super Freak turning a 38 minute lap, Oracle behind him, then Fruitless with his pack of dancers that fell apart on the double climb and then the rider in front of Fruitless was removed from the trail when an angry deer thrust his stag self into the rider and sent him sailing down a 20 ft ledge. Fruitless yelled to the stunned rider as the deer was relatively unfazed hopped off into the wilderness. He was "okay" so the ride continued. By the fourth lap, Super Freak passed M.E. with a bell ring and "you are doing great!". By the 5 th and 6th lap the trail was packed hard and wide with sweeping turns that would have made Talladega proud. By the end of the 70 degree day the results were as follows:
Super Freak. 8 laps (80 miles in 5 1/2 hours!) 1st place..duh! Expert
Oracle. 7 laps 10th place Expert
Fruitless. 7 laps 1st place Clydesdale
M.E. 6 laps. 5th place. Beginner

The story continues in the series finale November 12th. Stay tuned.......