You probably heard that I was a victim of a hazing incident at the University of Santa Cruz. It started 4 laps into the University Road Race. It was the result of a number of brutal attacks from numerous riders. I really cannot comment on who was taking part, because I just had my head down and was trying to imagine myself in a better place. I fought back initially by hitting a PR for four minute power levels, but was forced to succumb the very next lap. I completely fell apart and was summarily dropped on the floor, kicked around by the next group of riders, and then dropped again. After a few solo laps of the course, I was caught be a group of riders who had likewise been victimized. I eventually was able to recover from the beating, and finished the race in fine form.
Special thanks to Laura for handing up water bottles, and to Greg, Chris, Clark, and Todd, for partaking in the madness. With their presence, it was not a lonely experience.
In case you had not figured it out by now, this was a sanctioned bicycle race, and had nothing to do with any incidents of assault, battery, or physical violence (even if it felt like it).
