Saturday was the 8th annual Run for the Bridges, a fantastic event that has raised a ton of money to help replace the aging and fallen bridges in Wilderness Park over the years. Gary and I are on our 4th year volunteering; making sure that everyone goes the right direction and has a good time. Sarah and Todd were recruited about two years ago and they have been a welcomed addition to the shenanigans.
While probably not the coldest Run for the Bridges we've been a part of, it certainly was the snowiest. With several inches of snow still on the ground and temps hovering just above freezing everything was turning to mush quickly, getting to our designated positions within the Park proved to be quite challenging at times. Once in the Park we found the horse trail, turned Deer super highway to be the easiest and fastest route to the bridge.
The plan was to get there with plenty of time to setup and get ready before the runners hit the trails but with the softer snow slowing us down more than expected that didn't quite happen. We did get to our designated post before anyone started running but not as soon as we would have liked. On the positive side, the forecast the night before was calling for rain all morning. As luck would have it the forecasters were wrong in our favor this time and there was not a drop of rain for the start of the run. Actually it was pretty nice as far as temperature was concerned and standing around in the fog was kind of cool.
With a new start/finish line and a overhauled route, this map became a vital instrument in making sure that runners made the correct turns.
Todd and Tracy had brought some hot cocoa with a splash of Bailey's in it and I had just enough time to get a little into my Surly Silipint cup before the official start of the race. These cups are pretty amazing, it's mid boggling to think nobody came up with the concept sooner. Made entirely out of dishwasher safe silicone, they are the perfect vessel to throw into a pack or bike bag and take along with you on a ride. The Hoffman's cocoa and Gary's coffee really hit the spot and helped to keep folks warm from the inside out.
I think the snow on the ground and the threat of rain in the morning kept the numbers down this year but those who braved the elements and decide to come out and ran anyway were all grins. As a bonus, despite Mother Nature's best efforts to throw the worst at the runners, I don't think there was a single twisted ankle or injury of any kind yesterday, not an easy task as the trail was very slick at times.
Gary brought a stove and eggs, Todd brought bacon and so it was shortly after the start of the race that the smells of Wilderness Park breakfast was wafting in the breeze.
We didn't get many runners that wanted to stop and eat, preferring instead to just take in the smells but the 7 of us at or near the bridge were pretty well fed that morning. This might become a regular happening in the years to come, between the food, the music and the general positive vibes going on out there; it was like a mini party in the Park.
We weren't the only ones living it up in the Park however, some of the runners were kicking it up a notch as well.
With the weather being what it was and the numbers being slightly down this year, we finished up about an hour faster than we normally would have and we were still on this side of noon. That ended up being a pretty good blessing as the rain was starting to fall off and on the closer it got to 11 am.
Gary, Todd and I decided to take the trail that had been packed down by the runners out instead of going back on deer highway, that was a good call as it was much easier riding as long as you stayed on the ribbon of packed snow.
The snowman will show you the way. Well we were technically going the "wrong way" since we were heading out of the course but you get the idea. We headed toward Pioneers to pickup Sarah if she was still there but we found the feed station abandoned by the time we got there so we continued on, just the three of us.
The Jamaica Trail was still a mess and we ended up walking most of the 3/4 mile to the pavement, man was I glad to see that smooth, snow free cement.
We rode it all the way to D Street and back to Gary's house as much as we could, 4th was just a sheet of ice with standing water on top; not what I would call an idea surface for riding on two wheels.
Gary had to get home but Todd and I rode up to Method to meetup with Carlos and Roy for a quick adult beverage before heading over to pickup our super soft, super comfy Bohemian Sto Mil hoodies and then ending up at Yia Yia's again for a slice of pie. Perfect end to a perfect day if you ask me, can't wait to do it again next year but hopefully with some nicer weather.
