Wow Russ, how did you manage to keep your bike so clean??

That race could sucka-ma-bawls. I was doing okay holding my own through the slippery stuff while everyone else was struggling and crashing around me, but when the mud turned to baby poop, my bike wouldn't go no more. The bottom VPP link on a santa cruz is most definitely NOT made for clearing mud. I had to remove the back wheel two times to get it cleared out. At the 2nd lap I decided that 28th place was not worth the damage I was doing to my bike, and walked out.

I spent 2 hours at home last night cleaning, scrubbing, detailing and relubing. Probably needs another 2 hours today.