Burnin disappointment....

I met the East Coast Brawler (ECB) in college through cycling. We traveled to races, rode and laughed in his van packed with Push Push on the Bush, LA, Hanna and myself. We had grand times -- probably much like yours in college, so I will not bore you with the details. A time or two some 15 years ago, I beat ECB probably because he was racin' a Huffy. Now he hands me my ass. I had the delusion that this year I might beat ECB at Burnin. Before the start, he says, "I am marking Chambers." Going into the woods, I was 10 or so riders back. No worries because Chambers was 4 riders in front of me, and I knew ECB would be close. First corner pile up; I pass a few riders. Then I get up close and personal with a tree, thanks to not being able to see lines around human road blocks, but I manage to pry my nutz from the stem and get rolling without losing a spot. Another few dabs allows me to squirt by some riders. Get a clean pass before the first climb and see Chambers motoring up. Never get to Chambers til he is fixing a flat. Cross the finish with the fleeting thought that ECB is still behind me. Not so. He is smiling and chillin'. Damn. Once again ECB drops me. He was first into the woods. Iffin I was to race ever again after this ass whoopin, I would do lots of track workouts to improve my chances of makin' it to the woods first.The rest of the day was pleasant as Chad, Todd and I traded laps and dreamed of dinner and beers. Big thanks to Chad and Todd for holdin it down. I got lit up like a Christmas tree and probably talked the balls off a rhinosaurus. If that rhinosaurus was you-- sorry.