It was a BAD DAY out there! Really bad. Terrible rain and wind. Here is a report from my friend who raced today (Mind you, he has done many HIM's and IM's! He's near pro level.):
What's worse than Buffalo Springs when it's hot and windy? Buffalo Springs when it's windy and raining. Those descents were absurdly dangerous. Tons of flat tires and DNFs. At a certain point they had to start sending out trucks to pick-up bikes for people who came back in ambulances.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside thoroughly used-up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"