Finish Line

Today was the Ravensdale Road Race (9 mile course) put on by my friends at BUDU Racing. I had volunteered before for this race and decided to do so again this year. Due to numerous factors I decided not to race today. I would have had a free entry if I volunteered for half day, but opted to volunteer for a full day for more free entries at the weekly Pacific series.
We have had a very unseasonably wet and cool spring with record low temps and rainfall, and today was no exception. It was in the mid to high 40's with steady light to heavy rain with a FEW, and I mean few breaks in the rain.
There were 8 races held in 2 shifts (4 each-8:30 and 11 am) at varying lengths. I got to the staging area at 7:30, signed in at the volunteer table, got a safety vest and flag and rode my single speed two miles to the finish line. No one was there yet and I spent 15 minutes sitting on a rock in a cold steady drizzle. Soon, the timing guy showed up and we set to work to set up his amazing tent. He has been doing most of the timing and photos at the finish for the Washington State races for the last few years, and he has the set up down to a science. He even had a small propane heater which was so nice. One bad and scary incident before the racing started were 3 HUGE pickup trucks that were racing down the road, doing about 70, well above the posted 45 mph. Fortunately they all narrowly missed us and fortunately the racing had not started yet and there were no riders on the road.
I spent 6 hours at the finish, most of it out in the cold and rain. I swept the finish, helped direct traffic, took in discarded bottles and rain jackets, rang the cowbell for the bell laps, flipped the lap sign, answered questions, and cheered each and every racer on. I was so impressed with everyone, from the Men Cat 5 and Women Cat 4 to the Mens 1/2s. The women's 4 was won by a solo break with several minutes lead, and the Mens 1/2s had a 10 man break with over a 5 minute lead. Some of the races ended in very tight finishes, with a couple of riders nipped at the line. Every time I felt a bit miserable due to the weather, all I had to do was see the face of any racer and see they were hurting so much more-yet were out there doing what they love. I love to volunteer when I can and so was motivated to continue.
I also got to hear all the races on "race radio" and that was a blast.
I am so happy I got to volunteer and know I will do it again. It feels so good to give back.
I do have a 17 mile tt tomorrow that includes 2 very good climbs. I just hope today's volunteering didn't take it out of me:)
Night......