The start of the day yesterday was much like the Bloomer of 2013.  It was Jon, Brian and Aryn picking the early parking spots and wondering why they didn't sleep in for another hour.  They were there so early that Brian used all three stalls in the bathroom right in a row just to say he could.

Race warm up went much like last year too.  Sit around at the cars BSing while sweating because it was 80 degrees already at 8:30am and the humidity was on high.  While Aryn put his chair in the shade, Brian decided to just follow Jon around and stand in his shadow.

As race time got closer some pre riding was done as well as more BSing with other racers and of course peeing in public.  The starting line was quieter than normal.  Possibly due to many racers still recovering from Lumberjack last week, others just wanting to be home and in bed but mostly because they all knew the next two hours of their life was gonna hurt.  Bloomer is not a forgiving course.  A couple spots to stretch the legs but for most of it you really need to pay attention to what you are doing out there or you are going to eat it.

Jon started off in good position with the front runners but was forced to a DNF when his chain got caught up in lap two and ripped his frame protector right off his bike...jamming his chain.

But even tho his day was cut short, Jon still took time to look good for the camera, which is something that comes very natural to him.

Knowing Jon was having a bad day, Aryn took it upon himself to try and put together a DUB9 like performance for the team and ride himself into a top three spot.  With Mike T out in front, Aryn spent four rounds mixing it up with Stephan Zierman, John Osgood and Andy Fedewa for spots 2-5.

Through 3.5 out of the 4 laps all four kept turning screws on each other and taking turns out front doing their best to ride the others off their wheel.  In the end Aryn fell 13 seconds short of third place and rolled in for the 4th spot on the podium behind his long time rival (and good friend) John Osgood.

Coming off back to back weekends of 100 milers, Brian 'the Bullet' McCabe was ready for a race that didn't require at least 7 hours in the saddle.  He proved his new rigid fork could go the distance at Lumberjack but the big questions was how would Mr Singletrack himself do on a course that was this demanding.  

As you can see by the picture, Mr Calm and Collected proved once again why he is the best technical rider on the team.  He took full advantage of the course and muscled his way up to a 2nd place finish for the day.

With the Holiday weekend coming up the team doesn't have any races scheduled.  Most will be using this week for some fun rides and relaxing buy the lake or pool.  After this weekend Phase II of the race season starts and there will be plenty of action going on into Labor Day weekend.

So kick off your shoes, put your feet up and have a beer....or half a beer if you're like Aryn.  Work on evening out those tan lines and we'll see you all back in action in Midland in two weeks.