After finishing 2nd overall at the Triathlon at Pacific Grove, I was pretty excited to go to Sacramento to try winning the small Portfest Triathlon on Sept. 17th. I didn't drive the bike course ahead of time because I figured it would be flat and straight. On race morning I discovered some fast triathletes were in the field like, my friends, Scott Shea and Kiet Tran, and Kevin (who took first away from me at Serene Lakes Triathlon). The race was held in a very industrial area (not very scenic or spectator friendly) and I soon found out there were a lot of railroad crossings.

We started the swim in deep mud. The course was actually 30% longer than stated, but I worked hard and had a good swim. Scott Shea was first out and had about a 5 min lead. I made a quick transition to the bike and was determined to make up time and catch the leaders. The first RR crossings had carpet over them. The next few where kind of rough.

I was speeding along at 26mph searching for the lead group. I couldn't see anyone ahead or behind me. Finally I saw a bike and did everything to catch it. Then I hit some gnarly RR tracks which really jolted my front wheel. I was amazed it was still round. I worried a little but it seemed OK. I finally passed the rider which was the leader of the women (they started 5 minutes ahead).

At 15 miles, I saw a RR crossing and a sign saying "Slow Down!". I slowed to 20mph and grabbed my drop bars prepared for the treacherous bumps. As the road dipped down from the levy, the tracks cut across it diagonally and there were wide gaps near the rails. Once over the first rail I remember staring straight down at the second gap. The next thing I saw was pavement rushing up at me. My front wheel, twisting out of my hands, dropped into the groove and shot right. I hit the ground sliding and rolling and managed to scrape my helmet around the entire circumference. When I stopped, I was relieved to see only minor roadrash on the typical 6 points of contact (ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist). Then I remembered watching pro triathlete, Simon Lessing, finish and win the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon after wiping out on the bike and getting major roadrash. I wasn't as bad as him and, amazingly, my front wheel was still ridable! But as I reached for the bike... O W ! The pain set in. My left arm hurt and I couldn't twist my wrist. I sat down holding my arm hoping someone would come to get me. The women's leader, seeing the wreckage, slowed down and offered to help. "No, no, keep going" I said, not wanting her to fall behind. A guy in my age went by with a quick "you all right?". But the next guy didn't say a thing!

I was losing a few minutes but the endorphins were kicking in and I figured I could still place. I put my arm in the aero bars like a natural splint and took off hammering. As I passed the inconsiderate rider he had the nerve to jump onto my draft. I tried shaking him. To let him know he was too close, I launched a snot-rocket... bulls-eye! I heard a "hey, watch it!" to which I replied "well then back off". I surged to 28mph and soon dropped him. The corners where tough since I couldn't grip with my left hand and had to rely only on the rear brakes.

I thought I would try part of the run and drop out if necessary. But the guy I passed was back on my tail. I ran harder and passed a couple runners. By the last mile I was swinging my arms like normal and sprinting for the finish. I was so happy to get 2nd place in my age! But once finishing, my arm stiffened up into a permanent bend. Scott Shea made a sling for me. At the hospital I found out the radius in my left arm was cracked at the head.

I had to wear a cast for 2 weeks and then physical therapy started. I couldn't type so that's why this story is so late. It's healing quickly now and I'm optimistic I'll be even stronger for the next season. It turned out that the race director had tried to make the RR crossings safer by placing plywood over them but that someone followed the course and stole all the boards. Another competitor crashed on the diagonal tracks, completely destroying his tri-spoke wheel, and another one suffered a flat tire.

I definitely re-learned some important lessons: always check the course out first and make sure to cross railroad tracks at 90 degree angles.