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There
we were, a mass of riders assembled across the road, waiting for
our start time. The time at the start line is like no other. Full
of excitement and nervous energy, you don't want to wait, you want
to start now!  Right
now!! You must wait though. Some people like to talk during this
time, others stand there quietly, lost in their thoughts... waiting.
There's one or two that like to use the time at the start to try
and unnerve their fellow riders. Discussing how that climb that
you ride in the granny gear is a middle ring climb, how they rode
the course the day before and completed a lap in 35 minutes, when
you know it will take you 45. Finally, the race official arrives
with the start list and begins roll call. The last minute stragglers
show up and wedge into the pack. A hush falls over the group as
the start time approaches. The nervousness peaks, a million butterflies
in your stomach. The starter gives the 30-second call and 50 riders
clip into their pedals at the same time. The snap of pedals engaging
cleats explodes, flows through the group and tapers out. Silence
for a heartbeat, then another. Someone behind you lets out a very
stoned sounding "Coooool", a laugh goes through the group. The starter
gives the five-second warning, and before you know it, you are off,
100 knobby tires howling on the pavement towards the single track.
Finally the wait is over.
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