Had a great day at Mid-O yesterday with Pat and John. The forecast was looking good so we all signed up on Sat and by Sun morning the forecast was showing a 60% chance of rain. Pat and I drove out Monday after work and got a room at the Travelodge for $47 (I believe that's the least I've ever paid for a hotel). It seemed pretty clean but the mattress on my bead was pretty saggy. I'd stay there again, but would probably spend a few extra bucks next time to go some where better. When we got up Tuesday morning the forecast had improved to a 40% chance of rain but the skies were pretty grey and it looked like we'd get rained on for sure. We pulled into the Mid-O pits right behind John who had driven up that morning. We ended up getting really lucky with the weather and rode a dry track all day. With the cool temps the track was really slick the first session but the traction improved all day long. By the 3rd session it was 1-2 warm up laps and then drop the hammer. It was probably the fastest advanced group I've run with STT. I had some guys make some close passes on me, but they were all clean and controlled. For the most part there was lots of open track and I had a blast mixing it up with John and Pat (who were both riding very well). I spent almost an entire session chasing Pat while running low 1:49's / high 1:48's. My lap times were improving almost every session and I ran two 1:46.98's in the second to last session. That seemed to be a pretty quick pace for me and I was feeling pretty good on the bike. I think I was starting to make sense of the track and my riding felt quick, but easy, and I felt in control with no sketchy moments. I had a great last session of the day and felt like I ran my fastest laps of the day, but someone took the transceiver down so I don't know what my times were. I did have some strange cold-tearing on my front tire during an after lunch session. We got so lucky with the weather and it turned out to be a great day!
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