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It's not quite 5am at the start line of the Cascade Cream Puff where 200 riders are lining up to race 100+ miles with over 18,000+ feet of climbing. Brian is ready to roll!
The forecast today was mostly cloudy with 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms. WRONG! It rained all day, with temperatures in the upper 40s. The trails got wet and muddy (although you can't tell from the photos), and the racers were soaking wet and freezing cold all day. 
Here's how some of the Cream Puff staff stayed warm.
This is part of the "Jedi Trail" - the last bit of singletrack on the top loop, leading back to the mid-mountain aid station.
Mid-mountain aid station. Brian didn't have to use this since he brought personal SAG...
Brian's personal SAG. There were lots of vehicles mid-mountain; making it very tempting for shivering racers to bail. Many did. 
Every turn, and every obstacle was marked with orange arrows or ribbon. Three arrows pointing down means, "caution - you could DIE here!"
Brian rolls in after his second 35+ mile lap. The first time he came through, Deb was concerned that it was the end of the day... Brian was shivering uncontrollably, and suffering terrible butt pain from the new saddle. His tried and true saddle had completely broken down a week before; so he was forced to buy a new, slightly different model. The new saddle worked fine on a 20-mile training ride; but on race day Brian's butt did not dig the change. Fortunately, we had Brian's road bike in the van. He took the time to swap saddles - and pushed on. He definitely looked, and felt, better the second time around.
The covered bridge at the finish line! A welcome sight!
Yes! After a long, long day, soaking wet, freezing cold, caked with mud, numb hands and feet - it's over! Bravo, Brian!!!
The race director personally greats and congratulates each finisher...
and awards the coveted Cascade Cream Puff cap!
Actual ride stats for the day: 108 miles - 18,031 feet of climbing.Congratulations Brian!
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
- Lance Armstrong
