During the west Texas drought, in an utter move of brilliance, I manged to ride off into a patch of quicksand in test #2 on Saturday. I learned two things real quickly. #1 is that quicksand will stop a bike just about as quickly as a brick wall and it will make you fly over the bars just like Superman. #2 is that quicksand is stronger than the attachment of the soles on Sidi boots. I actually pulled the sole halfway off of one of my boots while trying to get myself out of the quicksand.

While trying to get my bike out, two different riders stopped to help me. When the first guy stopped, we tried to pull the bike out but it wouldn't budge a millimeter. I told that guy to go on. I dug the front wheel out for about 20 minutes and was starting to imagine that I might be able to actually get the bike out and some point. About that time, another rider stopped by and between the two of us, we were able to drag the bike out of the goop.

I was able to continue the race but it sure wasn't much fun trying to ride with all the mud on my gloves. They didn't dry out until the last test. I think I may have set a new land speed record on my return to town. I had checked in to check #3 15 minutes late so I was seriously trying to make up time on the way back in.

I don't know who the two riders were who helped me but I really want them to know how much I appreciated the help. Thank you!
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Sincerely,
Bobby Southard