Name: Clayton (means of the earth) Wagner
Bell`Birthdate: 06/17/1983
`Zodiac:
Gemini`Occupation: M4-future Metaphysician/Wilderness
Medicine
`Quiver: Niner SIR 9 fully rigid SS (UFO), Fisher Superfly (Duce), Specialized Tarmac (Twitch),
& Yeti 575 (Chewbacca)
`Favorite Trails: Womble, OT, Syllamo, Deer Creek (CB), 401, Monarch Crest, Rainbow,
Wasatch Crest, Mid MTN, Gooseberry Mesa, Porcupine Rim, Mohican
`Favorite
Race: SS Worlds!
Ouachita Challenge, Syllamo’s Revenge, Fat Tire Festival, CARPe diem MTB Festival`Best Finish: DFL @ 2009 SS Worlds; DFL @ Breck 100; AR Marathon Series: 2009 & 2008 <29 State
Championship, AMBCS: 2008 &
2007 Xpert Runner-Up, 2006 Sport Championship, 2005 Beginner Championship
`Favorite Riding Food: Chocolate protein bars, Odwalla & CLIF bars, bananas,
raspberry Hammer Gels, CLIF shots, & Honey Stingers
`What are your riding goals: Ride
from "The Natural State" to the Pacific via OT, OK, KS, CO Trail, UT, Sierra Nevadas, Burning Man, No Cali, Redwood
Forest`Why do you ride? If
you have to ask I'll never be able to explain it.
`What
advice would you give to a beginner rider? ` "Great
things happen when men and mountains meet,
this can not be done by jostling
in the streets.”
- William Blake `
“It is not the mountain we conquer, instead it is ourselves.”
- Edmund Hillary
Worst Wipeout:
Day 3 @ the American MTN Classic in Brian Head, Utah. After
2 days, 100 miles, and >10,000 ft of climbing I find myself with a 4 hr lead in my class; all I have to do to get the Class
Champion Jersey is just finish. Instead of playing it safe, I decide to take advantage of my 6" of travel and try
to keep up with some of the semi-pros (bad idea). Well I'm riding faster and flowing better than ever before, I'm
totally tuned in. Then it happens... I glance down as I flip my shock to wide open and look up to discover
that my bike is off the trail about 1 ft to the left. Not a problem except that I'm going downhill >20mph and there
is a 1 1/2 ft flat faced rock right in front of my tire. I try to bunny hop over but the rock throws my bike
sideways. I magically transform from Clark Kent into Superman and fly threw the air in an unparalleled full body
extension endo only to have a 20 lb boulder catch me as my face breaks my fall. As I stood up I was so pissed,
I just ruined my chances at a great finish and my front wheel is shaped like a taco. I spit in disgust and copious
amounts of blood and saliva flood from my mouth. Feeling with my tongue to inspect the damage I realized
that one top front tooth had been completely obliterated; its twin was hanging on for dear life by the roots and
the tooth itself was aimed directly at my uvula (dangly thing in the back of your mouth). By serendipitous
encounter, the awesome race photographer happened to be following me and helped me look for my missing tooth. My
body began to go into shock so I decided to take advantage of the adrenaline rush and ripped the remaining front tooth
out by its roots! That hurt really bad, really really bad; I even let our a warrior's yell as the small
nerves were severed. I think the photographer was impressed because he gave me his bike to ride so I could
get to the next aid station. Our cleats were incompatible so we traded shoes too. The next 5 miles of
trail were rough and I was having a lot of trouble getting my flow on after the horrific carnage. As I pulled up
to the next aid station my Dad ran towards me to see what had happened. Apparently a medical crew had been
sent in to treat my trauma but I rode away before they could reach me. While at the aid station I realized
how badly cracked a bottom tooth was; so I proceeded to rip it out and handed it to Dad along with the front
tooth that I had previously pulled and rolled in paper. His eyes were wide but he was impressively calm and collected.
I took a few minutes at the rest stop to gather myself and try to get some goos and fluids in me. Fortunately Dad's
bike was on the Element so I took his bike and race tested my new clip-in Keen sandals. As I hit the fire road I was
toothless and determined to finish the race and claim my Winner's Jersey. I figured why the hell not, my mouth
is already "FUBARed" so I can either play the victim or do something extraordinary. Over the following
40+ miles with over 5000 ft of climbing I was able to pass 25 riders. I counted each one of them and gave a bloody toothless
smile as I went by. Think I gained a little respect that day after racing for over 4 hrs w/o front teeth and subsequently
winning my class. We've been wanting to take Bell & Company MTN Biking national, now there is a lot of people
from all over the country who will remember our Hi-Vis jersey.
