Off I go to test out the bikepack time trial waters. A full summary was in the xxcmag.com Feb 2011 issue, but here is a quick overview of what I think is a super new type of riding for me to move on to.
I have a few wilderness fears to conquer first(!), but for now the TransGA seems like a fairly safe first timer unsupported, unmarked course. At this point, my nav skills suffer so luckily I hook up with a similar paced rider who has the maps down...we make it through w/ cue sheets, maps, odometers....not the easiest but we forgo the gps option on this round.
A full description of the 2010 route, rules, participants, results, etc can be found at:
http://www.firstworks.com/tnga/index.html
In general, I learned a lot of things doing this for the first time. The most important is that I LOVE the format. I love that support is completely not in the picture and that your independance is a big part of actually getting through each portion of the route....ahm.....that is if you can manage to nav yourself to stay ON the route:-)
In any case, this was organized awesomely, and gave me some basic skills to put a few more bikepack TT on my future goals hopefully next year!!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wilderness Pack Trip #1, aka bikepacking for dummies
Overlooking Sinnamahoning, Elk National Park
Getting ready for TransGA........is a little hectic. I did not leave much time to prepare when I decided to do this, & along with actually getting some gear I need I also need to learn how to actually USE it!!
Enter the chance to do a nice, long, exciting overnight bikepack trip just west of upper central PA area...LOTS of forest here! yikes, I am pretty clueless but have wanted to try this out for awhile, so I gather up what I think I'll need and what I think I can carry, JP helps get my bike ready of course with some new parts and off I go. Leaving Friday evening for the drive & covert car sleeping just shy of the trailhead parking.
Wake up early to meet my weekend guide, someone I just recently met but has years of experience with bikepacking & is happy to show me some of the ropes. Chomp down our breakfasts while packing up our bikes, he looks over my pack set up being intrigued by the new fangle dangle way kids do things these days as his set up is very different....old school:-)
Our loop is set for 70+ miles day 1, primitive camp overnight, then 30ish back to the car day 2.
I really have no idea what terrain is in store, but overall it ends up to be a perfect mix of gravel forest road, old barely used but well blazed multiuse trail, big climbs, power line, train tracks, and a tad of pavement. Plans include 2 possible gas station stops if needed for emergency, but basically we had other options for getting everything we needed, including new water.
We start at Quehanna trailhead in Parker Dam State Park, head out through Moshannon forest, in a round about way we hit the valley into Sinnamahoning, up through Elk State Park, get camped, & the next day continue thru Elk back thru Moshannon, and back to Parker Dam. At Parker Dam there is sneaky access to some showers so it's a great start/end spot.
Along with the miles on day 1, there were a few stops along the way, including waterfall, some popular swim hole spots, & the Elk Lookout Overview. But the most important stops were for cool flowing springs that seem to be pretty prevalent. I learn how to sterilize the water using the Steripen option & glad to say I survived without getting sick on this first outdoor water trial!
Once at the overnight destination, I was a little freaked out. It was extremely wild, overgrown, and secluded. I was super nervous of snakes and whatnot, and bears smelling our food. The guide was not nervous at all, showed me how to tie food up over a branch, and the spot had a flowing natural spring (no pipe) for us to get extra water needed to cook dinner/breakfast. We eat a little distance from our sleep areas to avoid getting food smell near our beds. Chit chat & rest until dark, then time to check into my new sleep bivy. Now this is new, and a little different than I thought. My bivy choice is very minimalist, super light, it is basically a waterproof/breathable bag you put your sleeping bag right into & there is a little space for a few personal items inside.
Getting settled was fine, but once trying to actually fall asleep I noticed some issues which caused me quite distress and not a great night of sleep. I zip up the bag, intent on keeping any creepy crawlies from entering my domain. First as I am trying to fall asleep I am tired as can be, but can't relax. I try to tell myself I am just nervous, but I soon notice my breathing is very strained & suddenly I start to panic......I grope for the zipper & get it open...I NEED air! I take a few breaths of fresh air & feel better. Holy cow....I am getting clusterphobic!!! This has never really happened before so I am shocked. Now, the bivy does not have a screen option, so the only method to vent it is to leave the zipper open......this is something I have conflict with.....creepy crawlies!!! I struggle for what seems hours, getting fresh air, then zipping up, then trying to leave open just a few inches until I would get too scared then zip it up. Geez, I think i am not going to get ANY sleep in here!!
Then it really gets different, it starts to rain, slightly then harder, then a pretty hard steady pour. Well, time to test out the waterproof claims of this sack. Overall, the waterproof was pretty decent, the zipper seems to let a few drops in I noticed. The only actual fail was that again, to vent it and leave the zipper open the storm flap really isn't enough to keep water from entering so got a tad in when upzipping but nothing too awful.
The worser thing is when it rains it slams the bivy right down on you! No matter how you lay, the bivy is right up against your face!! And even if you have the zipper open, the crushed bivy blocks the air. Oh lord, so I struggle for hours again keeping a stream of fresh air coming in.
Suddenly I see some daylight beginning. Oh no, I haven't got a wink of sleep & the trail today is more singletrack & hike bike I really needed some good sleep!! Working my way out of the bag, it's still drizzling & attempting to keep rain out of bag while getting out is tricky. Also, it leaves you NO privacy for dressing, etc. Gee, who thought of bag idea!!! My guide is already up, dressed, tent packed, and starting breakfast. Oh brother, this is gonna be a long day!! I crawl to the breakfast area, get my hot water for some coffee & start munching bagels while changing and packing up. Again, in the drizzle so everything getting wet.
Finally, after some trouble with my new fang dangle bikepack bag, we are off to the long 10 mile stretch of multiuse, but barely used, blazed trail leading us through Elk National Park. We see no Elk. In fact, we see no wildlife except a bright orange newt & some huge hawks. The trail section is super cool, the uphills are hiking & our pace is slow with the walking and the heavy bikes. After a few more issues with my bag, & the guides instance of broken derailleur, we hit a small town and some pavement & the rain seems to let up. So, the home stretch!!! Gravel, gravel, gravel up through the next stretch of forest, & it's sweet to see the car and know a well needed shower is just moments away!!
Overall, my first wilderness bikepack was cool & fun! The riding felt long/hard for me but good practice. The forests sections were sweet, and I learned a lot already in just one day:
-if unsure where a good spring will be, always take the chance to buy a water when available!!
-before heading to final camp, rinse in a creek....otherwise you will die from your own stench!!
-get a bivy with good venting!!(if not minimalist, a 1 person tent is super cool)
-some extra things are well worth the weight-esp bungee/string!
So, busyness coming up, but hopefully someday again soon I can get in some more overnight trips and start to learn my way around better!! For now though, gotta go figure out a better pack & sleeping method for GA or I'm gonna die:-) Thanks Jeff L. for this trip, and a few pics are posted in the album here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=228051&id=621536207&l=91667abf33
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wilderness 101
Being my 5th time to this, not a whole lot new to say. Always a great organized event by Chris Scott et al (shenendoah mt touring). Once you do something so many times, it's not surprise what the day/result will be like.
I know the course off hand, it does get smoother and faster each year(due to imba trails work & forest permit requirements), as the results this year really showed with basic times improving by about an hour average across the board.
Weather was great, no big surprises, the checks were set up great as usual. The one thing that does change though is the people racing. Most of the peeps I originally met/rode with my first few years are not even racing anymore, let alone coming to this one. While there are lots of newer folks to the scene. It's great there always new people, but I sure do miss those initial ones that helped show me the ropes.
Lots of others out there that have since moved on, and it makes me wonder what I will be doing in 5 years? Will I still be excited to come and do the same 100 miler with a growing field of others I barely know, still pulling the same times no matter who the competition is???
I know the course off hand, it does get smoother and faster each year(due to imba trails work & forest permit requirements), as the results this year really showed with basic times improving by about an hour average across the board.
Weather was great, no big surprises, the checks were set up great as usual. The one thing that does change though is the people racing. Most of the peeps I originally met/rode with my first few years are not even racing anymore, let alone coming to this one. While there are lots of newer folks to the scene. It's great there always new people, but I sure do miss those initial ones that helped show me the ropes.
Lots of others out there that have since moved on, and it makes me wonder what I will be doing in 5 years? Will I still be excited to come and do the same 100 miler with a growing field of others I barely know, still pulling the same times no matter who the competition is???
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Michaux-Curse of Dark Hollow
So, I am up for a michaux time right now. Don't make it here as much as I'd like, but in the mood for the trip, the course, & dealing with the somewhat $$$pricey$$$ entry fee these days!!!
It rained a lot, so we chose a hotel vs camp. The start was dry though, as we busted through the lemans start. The women in the 40 mile line up that I knew would be competetive were:
-cheryl s., sue m, janelle, ryanne p.-there were a few others I didn't know & it was kind of hard to tell who was doing the 20 or 40 miler (lots of DNF today, but those names are not listed in results?). In terms of the course, I had NO idea what is coming up, I don't check out elevation profiles or routes ahead of time. All I know is it's rocky here, expect to hike a little, and it looks more and more like some bad weather is approaching.
Starting with a rolling DH, I just try not to get run over, in less than 10 minutes of trail we start to hit some shorter, steeper and not really smooth sections. A few in a row, then a few more. As I come up on peeps, hhhmmm....lots are walking already?? Bust a move....get through these, they were all rideable for me, which I think helps because it keeps my legs moving and limits that time jumping back on at the top. It also got my heartrate and adrenalin into high gear....a pace that was fast for me but thought I could do for just about the full course. Cheryl and Sue were already out of site, thru the climbs I passed Ryanne and Janelle. Cheryl is gone, Sue I hoped to get a glimpse of, Janelle & Ryanne I knew would be on my tail asap!!!
On it goes, rocky as expected, a busted open bees nest where I get stung early on but just keep moving, back and forth with some SSers until we spread out a bit more. It starts warming up....humidy hot(i wish for rain, about an hour later I am deeply regretting that wish!!!). Hitting a dirt road section/water check is a straight away, no sign of Sue....this is about 15 miles in so I know her pace is moving that I probably won't see her today:-( A quick glance behind, no Janelle or Ryanne??
I get through the road asap as to keep out of sight of the peeps coming behind, duck in the woods & continue through whatever comes up. A few short hike a bikes, etc. It's all good, a short field section where I glance back again.....still no Janelle or Ryanne?? I start to wonder if something happened?
The 20/40 split, a lot of peeps leave the course, the trail is quieter now & I have to force myself to remember it's a RACE even if I don't see anyone else!! Soon I reach the 30ish mile check, but just as I do the sky goes BLACK. Seconds later hail & wind start, lightening bolts are flashing....damn I have a gravel stretch on top of a hill to get thru before the next trail. It is hail/rain SO hard I can't see as I start down the road. The wind is almost blowing me off my bike....geez, I can only hope in the woods it's better!! I see a familar purple shirt coming towards me.....what? Am I off course?? NO! it's just Dr. Don with his ever plagued flats. I toss him my tube & say fix it, catch up, follow me, & if I flat give it back. He agrees. A few more feet I get into the trail, but so does the lightening!!!! Everything goes BLUE, I can't hear for a second, I can't see in the blue...it's like time stopped....holy shit.....am I dead, hurt, am I struck by lightening??? why doesn't it hurt??? Suddenly back to normal, the blue is gone, sounds are back.....huge crashing sounds....no idea where/what they are but I see in front of me is the trail with nothing impeding my way so I figure all I can do is just keep moving towards the end and I pedal as well as I can through the now forming inches of water. I think briefly of Don on the road.....hoping he is ok. I learn later that just feet behind me lightening had stuck a big tree at the base & it had fallen, only seconds from where I had just been!! Wow....THAT was close!!
In the meantime, Dr. Don fixes the flat, sees the tree fall, counts himself lucky & he too wonders if I am perhaps....dead! A bit later he catches up to me and we both say 'wow, i am glad to see you!'...he fills me in on the tree he saw fall. I tell him, no worries on the tube it can't be much further, just go and if I'm not there in 30 minutes send a rescue squad!! I wonder if there is anyone on the course yet behind me...knowing the end was near I could keep going, but I knew the front runners had been done before the storm & anyone behind me was probably getting more of it.
Finally the finish, where everyone was snuggled under one easy up. A weak attempt to get cleaned up/dressed & eat and then to check results & hear what happened to everyone else. A LOT of DNF...even before the storm, some peeps just were not up for the 40 miler of this course. I find out Janelle DNF off course, but Ryanne was still out! Worried, I knew she wanted to finish a long race, but this day had been nasty, I hoped she was doing ok. Shortly she came in, all smiles.....& not one bit of whining!!! Yes:-)
thanks MBM, Gettysburg Bikes, etc. for the event. Great course!!
It rained a lot, so we chose a hotel vs camp. The start was dry though, as we busted through the lemans start. The women in the 40 mile line up that I knew would be competetive were:
-cheryl s., sue m, janelle, ryanne p.-there were a few others I didn't know & it was kind of hard to tell who was doing the 20 or 40 miler (lots of DNF today, but those names are not listed in results?). In terms of the course, I had NO idea what is coming up, I don't check out elevation profiles or routes ahead of time. All I know is it's rocky here, expect to hike a little, and it looks more and more like some bad weather is approaching.
Starting with a rolling DH, I just try not to get run over, in less than 10 minutes of trail we start to hit some shorter, steeper and not really smooth sections. A few in a row, then a few more. As I come up on peeps, hhhmmm....lots are walking already?? Bust a move....get through these, they were all rideable for me, which I think helps because it keeps my legs moving and limits that time jumping back on at the top. It also got my heartrate and adrenalin into high gear....a pace that was fast for me but thought I could do for just about the full course. Cheryl and Sue were already out of site, thru the climbs I passed Ryanne and Janelle. Cheryl is gone, Sue I hoped to get a glimpse of, Janelle & Ryanne I knew would be on my tail asap!!!
On it goes, rocky as expected, a busted open bees nest where I get stung early on but just keep moving, back and forth with some SSers until we spread out a bit more. It starts warming up....humidy hot(i wish for rain, about an hour later I am deeply regretting that wish!!!). Hitting a dirt road section/water check is a straight away, no sign of Sue....this is about 15 miles in so I know her pace is moving that I probably won't see her today:-( A quick glance behind, no Janelle or Ryanne??
I get through the road asap as to keep out of sight of the peeps coming behind, duck in the woods & continue through whatever comes up. A few short hike a bikes, etc. It's all good, a short field section where I glance back again.....still no Janelle or Ryanne?? I start to wonder if something happened?
The 20/40 split, a lot of peeps leave the course, the trail is quieter now & I have to force myself to remember it's a RACE even if I don't see anyone else!! Soon I reach the 30ish mile check, but just as I do the sky goes BLACK. Seconds later hail & wind start, lightening bolts are flashing....damn I have a gravel stretch on top of a hill to get thru before the next trail. It is hail/rain SO hard I can't see as I start down the road. The wind is almost blowing me off my bike....geez, I can only hope in the woods it's better!! I see a familar purple shirt coming towards me.....what? Am I off course?? NO! it's just Dr. Don with his ever plagued flats. I toss him my tube & say fix it, catch up, follow me, & if I flat give it back. He agrees. A few more feet I get into the trail, but so does the lightening!!!! Everything goes BLUE, I can't hear for a second, I can't see in the blue...it's like time stopped....holy shit.....am I dead, hurt, am I struck by lightening??? why doesn't it hurt??? Suddenly back to normal, the blue is gone, sounds are back.....huge crashing sounds....no idea where/what they are but I see in front of me is the trail with nothing impeding my way so I figure all I can do is just keep moving towards the end and I pedal as well as I can through the now forming inches of water. I think briefly of Don on the road.....hoping he is ok. I learn later that just feet behind me lightening had stuck a big tree at the base & it had fallen, only seconds from where I had just been!! Wow....THAT was close!!
In the meantime, Dr. Don fixes the flat, sees the tree fall, counts himself lucky & he too wonders if I am perhaps....dead! A bit later he catches up to me and we both say 'wow, i am glad to see you!'...he fills me in on the tree he saw fall. I tell him, no worries on the tube it can't be much further, just go and if I'm not there in 30 minutes send a rescue squad!! I wonder if there is anyone on the course yet behind me...knowing the end was near I could keep going, but I knew the front runners had been done before the storm & anyone behind me was probably getting more of it.
Finally the finish, where everyone was snuggled under one easy up. A weak attempt to get cleaned up/dressed & eat and then to check results & hear what happened to everyone else. A LOT of DNF...even before the storm, some peeps just were not up for the 40 miler of this course. I find out Janelle DNF off course, but Ryanne was still out! Worried, I knew she wanted to finish a long race, but this day had been nasty, I hoped she was doing ok. Shortly she came in, all smiles.....& not one bit of whining!!! Yes:-)
thanks MBM, Gettysburg Bikes, etc. for the event. Great course!!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
FINALLY-Another Double Header.....
ok, not sure if a local 10 mile race followed by 40 miler Michaux is a REAL doubler header, but that's what I got. We talk Tim Heck into the plan, and arrive at Shannock Valley intent to break out the tandumb for the short trail race.
Everything begins cool, a road sprint to a turn into a field.....WHAM, BAM.....our rear wheel stops turning.....WT.....???? A body goes hurling over our rear wheel, gets up and runs off with his bike. WT.....???? Suddenly it becomes obvious.....(excuse me for calling someone out on this, but this is UNEXCUSABLE riding in a race!!)....as we made the turn off the road, someone with little race experience came charging down the road full speed, was unable to negotiate the turn in the pack, missed it and T-Boned the tandumb!! Hitting the wheel SO hard it just crumpled.
Justin begins to look at the bike while I go into a public rant. The officials, EMTs, etc are afraid of my cursing mouth & just keep looking to Justin to tell them it's ok we don't need help. Finally he gives them the word, and they run away. He scowls at me......'would you calm down & shut up'....I ignore his pleas and continue while I impatiently wonder if it's permanent damage or what. A spoke wrench is doing nothing.....Justin tells me 'hold the bike'....I weakly put my hand on it.....he kicks the wheel with full strength.....WT????....the bike slams into my legs.....'thanks for the warning'......'i told you to hold it, now will you listen this time?'.......'sure'....a few more kicks and the wheel seems like it's going to wobbly turn, barely clear the frame, and we think the brakes might work.
Well, we still want to bust a move on the tandum on this 100 degree day, so on we go. Catching up to some beginners/sport riders not enjoying the hear, and some with mechanicals, including a few in the Clydesdale (our) class:-) Surprisingly, we ride most everything with the bike's condition, except a small section of the bmx course. We finish, both with a hard effort feeling so got a good workout in anyway!!!
Thanks for local race organizers, Brad B (course director), great course and set up!!!!!
Toss of the tandum to a friend to take home, we are already packed up to hit the road to Michaux......
Everything begins cool, a road sprint to a turn into a field.....WHAM, BAM.....our rear wheel stops turning.....WT.....???? A body goes hurling over our rear wheel, gets up and runs off with his bike. WT.....???? Suddenly it becomes obvious.....(excuse me for calling someone out on this, but this is UNEXCUSABLE riding in a race!!)....as we made the turn off the road, someone with little race experience came charging down the road full speed, was unable to negotiate the turn in the pack, missed it and T-Boned the tandumb!! Hitting the wheel SO hard it just crumpled.
Justin begins to look at the bike while I go into a public rant. The officials, EMTs, etc are afraid of my cursing mouth & just keep looking to Justin to tell them it's ok we don't need help. Finally he gives them the word, and they run away. He scowls at me......'would you calm down & shut up'....I ignore his pleas and continue while I impatiently wonder if it's permanent damage or what. A spoke wrench is doing nothing.....Justin tells me 'hold the bike'....I weakly put my hand on it.....he kicks the wheel with full strength.....WT????....the bike slams into my legs.....'thanks for the warning'......'i told you to hold it, now will you listen this time?'.......'sure'....a few more kicks and the wheel seems like it's going to wobbly turn, barely clear the frame, and we think the brakes might work.
Well, we still want to bust a move on the tandum on this 100 degree day, so on we go. Catching up to some beginners/sport riders not enjoying the hear, and some with mechanicals, including a few in the Clydesdale (our) class:-) Surprisingly, we ride most everything with the bike's condition, except a small section of the bmx course. We finish, both with a hard effort feeling so got a good workout in anyway!!!
Thanks for local race organizers, Brad B (course director), great course and set up!!!!!
Toss of the tandum to a friend to take home, we are already packed up to hit the road to Michaux......
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
FINALLY-A Double Header!!!!!
Well, you can read the details or get the summary of this weekend story at:
http://xxcmagblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/hbrwayne-ultra-double-dip-award.html
Aahh, sometimes this is almost all I prepare for & obsess about....the few good double headers that will happen to come about & that I will happen to be in just good enough mode to do ok.
Now, it just can't be any double header. I mean two XC might be ok, but seriously if the word XXC, Marathon, or Ultra isn't involved, then it might just not catch my attention. BUT, this weekend is labeled perfectly:
Saturday-ABRA HillyBilly Roubaix--70 mile road/gravel/dirt/pothole course
Sunday-WVMBA Wayne Ultra--45 mile mtb thru state park
So, JP & I pack up the little 4cyl car for both events & a camping excursion, bogging it down as usual & then wondering why it has NO power on the highway hills!!
HillyBilly Roubaix
So, this is a first time event. Although lots of folks have been scouting the trail, preriding the trail, talking about the trail, switching up tires for the trail, analyzing GPS data of the trail....quite frankly I have ignored all this banter & just get a friggin bike ready to ride that can handle just about anything I want to do on it for 70 miles.
Enter MAXWELL the MAN, the newest steed in the stable. This stud is willing to change according to my whims (every girls dream:-))Built close to the newest 'cross bike turned commuter' trends that seem to be popping up, but with lots more options!!! The best being:
-can take ANY road/cross or MTB tire up to 2.3 WITH studs!!!!
-carbon fork, flat bars, disc brakes.
-and did I mention it comes stock in 14"!!!! How much more perfect could this guy be!!
So, with all girls in an OPEN class (ok by me!) we head out. Roadie bikes, cross bikes, SS cross bikes, and MAXWELL. Geez, how is this going to go? Overall, not too bad! Maxwell performed as good as he could given my meager pedal power and uncoordinated aerodynamics on the road. Climbing was ON, gravel descending was ON, riding mud puddles & dirt was ON. The girls split up fast on the first climb, and with Nina flatting shortly after. With Nina getting the flat fixed & able to catch back up, she was the only girl I saw all day prior to check #3 (<10 miles from finish?) At some point, marshalls yelled that I was 5th, wth?? There were like 20+ girls here & I swear I was the last one up the initial climb. I verify with Nina, she said yeah, 5th sounded about right. Still astounded, I slowly pulled ahead of Nina at check #3 hoping maybe, just maybe I could catch one more spot, & caught Emily about 5 miles from the end. Emily knows the course & was gu'ing it up asap after I passed her, then she quickly took on the last few miles at a pace I could not even attempt! So 5th it was for the day. Found out a few girls had DNF including Chrissy with flat issues & several others with flats or ?? heat?? I guess it was like over 90 degrees or whatever. I was happy with 5th, and pretty happy with MAXWELL, although after this, he is getting a compact!!
I find out after I am done, JP has awesome day...coming in 2nd overall to the Plug, Gerry on a SS & JP on straight up roadie bike/tires. Good job guys & to the tons of other Pgh peeps that also had a good day, and to those that got plagued by flats.....it IS a Roubaix!!!
After attempting to get our body temperatures back to normal from being in the scorching sun/heat all day by literally laying under the parks water faucet, JP & I get on the 2 hour drive to OH where our camp spot awaits. This seems to take forever when you are tired, dirty, hungry and getting stiff. Finally there, meet some other racers hanging out & call it a night...with a little twist. Our camp neighbor is in domestic dispute. Save the details...but I did learn a new word that I seem to like....."****EVER". oh yeah, that will be coming out of my mouth a lot.
WAYNE ULTRA
It's another hot one folks!! Maybe some people heed the weatherman, maybe some don't. I don't. But when at about mile 30, the marshalls directed us to a reroute indicating to take out a climb I knew something was up. Most likely people were dropping like flies. I really wasn't feeling effect of heat at this point, & I knew fast little Mandi who was the only girl in front of me was no stranger to tough conditions so I kept pushing just hoping for a glimpse of her although I knew 2nd was pretty much where I was going to be, as I had been since Check #1 @ 16 miles.
Up until Check #1, I was moving quite slow, in fact the initial climb left me almost dead last of the girls....or anyone..... into the singletrack. Back & forth with Meredith a little, but not really enough to pull away from her she gets the line. Oh no, maybe this double header just wasn't for me!! Oh well, just ride it out, 45 miles will go by quickly!! I settle in my own pace, seeing some peeps along the way with flats....and even a chatty pass by TJ as he got to the start late. It's all good, and I am shocked when I get to the check & Meredith & Ryanne are HANGING OUT....I mean, HANGING OUT....being my usual self I jump at the chance to snag entry to the next section alone.....knowing it's a little too early to attempt some scared rabbit riding but figure I have little choice. This keeps up, & suprisingly I never see them again:-( Luckily nothing was wrong, they just needed the break in the heat.
Along the way, I see Durb plagued with flats, JP & lotsa fellows are hangin at Check #2....I don't ask any questions, just roll thru as fast as I can....he yells I am 10 min behind first place little fast Mandi.....is this good or bad??? I have no idea as I have no idea what the course has in store. No sooner am I bouncing downhill, I start to feel guilty that I didn't even ask WTH JP was doing Checkhangin??? Well, I figured there were a bunch of guys there so any help needed was probably already taken care of....hopefully??? Turns out he was a flat issue this day & not able to finish:-(
Pushing along, I ride out the road climbing with Josh Matta SS it. We get a little confused, well me mostly, about the detour but just keep moving on. Enter the last singletrack to home, let Josh take the DH and we are DONE!!! Cruising the flat trail back to the start, entering the lot.....low and behold like EVERYONE is cleaned up already and I notice the Plug car is gone even. I come to find out, a ton of DNF occurred, mostly due to heat....but not Mandi of course!! She was feeling fine as a fiddle and kept her 10 min gap on me, with Meredith right behind.
Double Header Wrap Up
So, my first double header this year was ok. Two super HOT but super fun races, placing ok in each & not feeling too bad!! I even find out that XXCmag.com had posted a challenge for doing both these events....and I was the only one to finish both!! Thanks XXC/Jason for the contest, swag, and article!
http://xxcmagblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/hbrwayne-ultra-double-dip-award.html
Aahh, sometimes this is almost all I prepare for & obsess about....the few good double headers that will happen to come about & that I will happen to be in just good enough mode to do ok.
Now, it just can't be any double header. I mean two XC might be ok, but seriously if the word XXC, Marathon, or Ultra isn't involved, then it might just not catch my attention. BUT, this weekend is labeled perfectly:
Saturday-ABRA HillyBilly Roubaix--70 mile road/gravel/dirt/pothole course
Sunday-WVMBA Wayne Ultra--45 mile mtb thru state park
So, JP & I pack up the little 4cyl car for both events & a camping excursion, bogging it down as usual & then wondering why it has NO power on the highway hills!!
HillyBilly Roubaix
So, this is a first time event. Although lots of folks have been scouting the trail, preriding the trail, talking about the trail, switching up tires for the trail, analyzing GPS data of the trail....quite frankly I have ignored all this banter & just get a friggin bike ready to ride that can handle just about anything I want to do on it for 70 miles.
Enter MAXWELL the MAN, the newest steed in the stable. This stud is willing to change according to my whims (every girls dream:-))Built close to the newest 'cross bike turned commuter' trends that seem to be popping up, but with lots more options!!! The best being:
-can take ANY road/cross or MTB tire up to 2.3 WITH studs!!!!
-carbon fork, flat bars, disc brakes.
-and did I mention it comes stock in 14"!!!! How much more perfect could this guy be!!
So, with all girls in an OPEN class (ok by me!) we head out. Roadie bikes, cross bikes, SS cross bikes, and MAXWELL. Geez, how is this going to go? Overall, not too bad! Maxwell performed as good as he could given my meager pedal power and uncoordinated aerodynamics on the road. Climbing was ON, gravel descending was ON, riding mud puddles & dirt was ON. The girls split up fast on the first climb, and with Nina flatting shortly after. With Nina getting the flat fixed & able to catch back up, she was the only girl I saw all day prior to check #3 (<10 miles from finish?) At some point, marshalls yelled that I was 5th, wth?? There were like 20+ girls here & I swear I was the last one up the initial climb. I verify with Nina, she said yeah, 5th sounded about right. Still astounded, I slowly pulled ahead of Nina at check #3 hoping maybe, just maybe I could catch one more spot, & caught Emily about 5 miles from the end. Emily knows the course & was gu'ing it up asap after I passed her, then she quickly took on the last few miles at a pace I could not even attempt! So 5th it was for the day. Found out a few girls had DNF including Chrissy with flat issues & several others with flats or ?? heat?? I guess it was like over 90 degrees or whatever. I was happy with 5th, and pretty happy with MAXWELL, although after this, he is getting a compact!!
I find out after I am done, JP has awesome day...coming in 2nd overall to the Plug, Gerry on a SS & JP on straight up roadie bike/tires. Good job guys & to the tons of other Pgh peeps that also had a good day, and to those that got plagued by flats.....it IS a Roubaix!!!
After attempting to get our body temperatures back to normal from being in the scorching sun/heat all day by literally laying under the parks water faucet, JP & I get on the 2 hour drive to OH where our camp spot awaits. This seems to take forever when you are tired, dirty, hungry and getting stiff. Finally there, meet some other racers hanging out & call it a night...with a little twist. Our camp neighbor is in domestic dispute. Save the details...but I did learn a new word that I seem to like....."****EVER". oh yeah, that will be coming out of my mouth a lot.
WAYNE ULTRA
It's another hot one folks!! Maybe some people heed the weatherman, maybe some don't. I don't. But when at about mile 30, the marshalls directed us to a reroute indicating to take out a climb I knew something was up. Most likely people were dropping like flies. I really wasn't feeling effect of heat at this point, & I knew fast little Mandi who was the only girl in front of me was no stranger to tough conditions so I kept pushing just hoping for a glimpse of her although I knew 2nd was pretty much where I was going to be, as I had been since Check #1 @ 16 miles.
Up until Check #1, I was moving quite slow, in fact the initial climb left me almost dead last of the girls....or anyone..... into the singletrack. Back & forth with Meredith a little, but not really enough to pull away from her she gets the line. Oh no, maybe this double header just wasn't for me!! Oh well, just ride it out, 45 miles will go by quickly!! I settle in my own pace, seeing some peeps along the way with flats....and even a chatty pass by TJ as he got to the start late. It's all good, and I am shocked when I get to the check & Meredith & Ryanne are HANGING OUT....I mean, HANGING OUT....being my usual self I jump at the chance to snag entry to the next section alone.....knowing it's a little too early to attempt some scared rabbit riding but figure I have little choice. This keeps up, & suprisingly I never see them again:-( Luckily nothing was wrong, they just needed the break in the heat.
Along the way, I see Durb plagued with flats, JP & lotsa fellows are hangin at Check #2....I don't ask any questions, just roll thru as fast as I can....he yells I am 10 min behind first place little fast Mandi.....is this good or bad??? I have no idea as I have no idea what the course has in store. No sooner am I bouncing downhill, I start to feel guilty that I didn't even ask WTH JP was doing Checkhangin??? Well, I figured there were a bunch of guys there so any help needed was probably already taken care of....hopefully??? Turns out he was a flat issue this day & not able to finish:-(
Pushing along, I ride out the road climbing with Josh Matta SS it. We get a little confused, well me mostly, about the detour but just keep moving on. Enter the last singletrack to home, let Josh take the DH and we are DONE!!! Cruising the flat trail back to the start, entering the lot.....low and behold like EVERYONE is cleaned up already and I notice the Plug car is gone even. I come to find out, a ton of DNF occurred, mostly due to heat....but not Mandi of course!! She was feeling fine as a fiddle and kept her 10 min gap on me, with Meredith right behind.
Double Header Wrap Up
So, my first double header this year was ok. Two super HOT but super fun races, placing ok in each & not feeling too bad!! I even find out that XXCmag.com had posted a challenge for doing both these events....and I was the only one to finish both!! Thanks XXC/Jason for the contest, swag, and article!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Lumberjack 100-Manistee MI
Make no mistake, although all events take great time, volunteers & money to organize and it's always worth it there are just some that suits some peeps style and some that do not. Although I appreciate the effort of all events, I also am quick to realize those that just are not my style or not worth to me to pay/drive for a second time.
I can say, I expected to be writing that I had doubted the Lumberjack 100 & would be writing that I would never go back, it just wasn't my style or worth the 9 hour drive. BUT, I am NOT writing that!! On the contrary, although very different course & organization, I actually liked it, would go back & had a great ride here!!!
Manistee Forest terrain, although somewhere limited in long climbing, is very interesting and variable. From sandy double track to sandy tight path, to 3 foot ferns sections, to pine tree soft needle dirt, to regular dirt, to leafy loom. Not rocky or technical, but the forest floor is super cool and nice riding.
Being a 3-lap format the incidence of DNF is a lot more, and going into it I know in the back of my head was the thought if I get lapped in lap 2 I will probably quit. Weather works out well, it's a nice dry course, warm weather gets a little hot, no checks just water at your starting pit. It all works out I do not get lapped (yeah!) and enter into lap 3 feeling ok, although not really seeing any girls since lap 1. I kind of have NO idea where I am in the line up, but I feel ok so just keep trying to catch up and pass more men, figuring eventually I'll come across a girl. No such luck.
On a different note, my grumpy 1/2 is not having such a good day. As I spin through after lap 2, I see JP walking along in street clothes. hhmm, this means he has been off his bike for bit.....I yell what happened, he mutters *#@#* bike broke. Oh man, I feel bad he had bad luck lately with some bike stuff going on and to go on this long trip to DNF really sucks. He tells me to keep going & helps me get new water filled up but I can tell not too happy.
Unbeknowst to me, I was sitting in 8th place (this is a miracle, about 30 starters, some really fast girls up front, to be in top 10 anymore in these is pretty good for me at all) up until the last 2 minutes of the day. Just then some girl flies out of nowhere, passes me like I am standing still, and in all my effort to tag on, she is gone in a flash pushing me to 9th. Blah. How in the world you have that energy left in the last 2 minutes I have no idea. So I finish in 9th, still ok, and the podium recognizes the top 10, so sweet, I actually get a photo op on MTB Race News:-)
This course gets a thumbs up, and to top it off there is a super great white sand super clean beach with NO ENTRY FEE just minutes from the course!!! What a sweet set up:-)
I can say, I expected to be writing that I had doubted the Lumberjack 100 & would be writing that I would never go back, it just wasn't my style or worth the 9 hour drive. BUT, I am NOT writing that!! On the contrary, although very different course & organization, I actually liked it, would go back & had a great ride here!!!
Manistee Forest terrain, although somewhere limited in long climbing, is very interesting and variable. From sandy double track to sandy tight path, to 3 foot ferns sections, to pine tree soft needle dirt, to regular dirt, to leafy loom. Not rocky or technical, but the forest floor is super cool and nice riding.
Being a 3-lap format the incidence of DNF is a lot more, and going into it I know in the back of my head was the thought if I get lapped in lap 2 I will probably quit. Weather works out well, it's a nice dry course, warm weather gets a little hot, no checks just water at your starting pit. It all works out I do not get lapped (yeah!) and enter into lap 3 feeling ok, although not really seeing any girls since lap 1. I kind of have NO idea where I am in the line up, but I feel ok so just keep trying to catch up and pass more men, figuring eventually I'll come across a girl. No such luck.
On a different note, my grumpy 1/2 is not having such a good day. As I spin through after lap 2, I see JP walking along in street clothes. hhmm, this means he has been off his bike for bit.....I yell what happened, he mutters *#@#* bike broke. Oh man, I feel bad he had bad luck lately with some bike stuff going on and to go on this long trip to DNF really sucks. He tells me to keep going & helps me get new water filled up but I can tell not too happy.
Unbeknowst to me, I was sitting in 8th place (this is a miracle, about 30 starters, some really fast girls up front, to be in top 10 anymore in these is pretty good for me at all) up until the last 2 minutes of the day. Just then some girl flies out of nowhere, passes me like I am standing still, and in all my effort to tag on, she is gone in a flash pushing me to 9th. Blah. How in the world you have that energy left in the last 2 minutes I have no idea. So I finish in 9th, still ok, and the podium recognizes the top 10, so sweet, I actually get a photo op on MTB Race News:-)
This course gets a thumbs up, and to top it off there is a super great white sand super clean beach with NO ENTRY FEE just minutes from the course!!! What a sweet set up:-)
Stoopid 50-State College PA
So the time has come, I am ready for a 'longish' race. I never did the Stoopid due to schedule conflicts, but now I know better & put it as a priority to get to this year. Reasons why:
-run by Chris Scot, event organizer & government bike advocate extraordinaire (mtntouring.com)
-state college has some rocks, rocks, rocks. I want to see the 29er work some rocks in a hectic crowd. I mean...... if I can get the 29er to work some rocks in a hectic crowd;-)
-i feel like some hike a biking might ensue on this course, sweet. I need to push some running while toting my bike. meaning basically I've been a lazy ass & just need something motivating to do for once instead of the idea of looping through swoopy local park trails yet one more time. SHOOT ME!
This is a camp outing, so packed up I head north. Although registration was some 200 peeps the campground was not packed & quiet....just how I like it. A quiet night with some other Pgh peeps & then an early rise to Chris' gong wake up call, microphone voice, & cool tunes through the megaphone.
Starting line up brings RAIN. As if the recent rain hasn't left the rocks just wet enough we needed some more. As usual, CS courses offer a decent start with time for the group to break up so by the time you hit singletrack your kind of with peeps your own pace. Kind of....until they hit rocks....hehe. one by one peeps dab, and i grab a pass. Time goes by, I get to the 16 miles check where a friend tells me I am in 8th place. I somewhat doubt her for a minute because there are like 30 women registered, and I haven't seen any since the start, but she assures me most women have not come through yet. Hhhmmm, this gives me a little extra motivation so I head on out trying to keep up a pace. Soon I see CB with a mechanical she makes it clear she IS NOT fixing and is heading out. Poor CB, but bumps me up a notch as long as I don't get my butt passed. Back and forth with Jennifer Wolfson from Harrisonburg, soon she disappears....later I find out also a DNF not sure why.
Check 2 at 36 miles finally comes up, I run into Misty from Harrisonburg who must have been just right in front of me all day but takes some time at the check. She is on my tail as I leave, and as usual sets a pace just slightly faster than I can maintain......but just a little too fast for the upcoming flat potential long DH.....at the bottom she is flatted. YES.....I attempt to hustle a few minutes on her. It really does not work, later she is right back with me. I know she knows the course & most likely pre-rode the finish.
Rumor is from check 2 to the end is the fast part of the course, being more gravel road and just a few last sections of trail. If Misty crushes me here, my second hope is just not to get passed by anyone else. We get to the entry to the last final DH to the finish, I don't know the finish but she does and takes the DH. Ok with me because it started off pretty rough & her on full suspension and knowing the DH just took off while I took a bit to get my bearing on dropping off a few steep for me things. She pulls in almost 1 minute on me to the finish.
So I started and ended in 8th. Usually that is kind of how it goes for me, I am lucky to get & maintain any position & usually good at sitting right where I start. Overall out of 30 starters(although results do not show all the DNF starters), I was pretty happy with 8th and actually felt good, and for once actually liked the 29er today even on wet rocks!! Not sure what up with that:-) Congrats to all the Pgh & harrisonburg peeps that had a good day here!!
thanks CS for another well organized event!!
Results/info:
http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/htm/home/page_home.htm
-run by Chris Scot, event organizer & government bike advocate extraordinaire (mtntouring.com)
-state college has some rocks, rocks, rocks. I want to see the 29er work some rocks in a hectic crowd. I mean...... if I can get the 29er to work some rocks in a hectic crowd;-)
-i feel like some hike a biking might ensue on this course, sweet. I need to push some running while toting my bike. meaning basically I've been a lazy ass & just need something motivating to do for once instead of the idea of looping through swoopy local park trails yet one more time. SHOOT ME!
This is a camp outing, so packed up I head north. Although registration was some 200 peeps the campground was not packed & quiet....just how I like it. A quiet night with some other Pgh peeps & then an early rise to Chris' gong wake up call, microphone voice, & cool tunes through the megaphone.
Starting line up brings RAIN. As if the recent rain hasn't left the rocks just wet enough we needed some more. As usual, CS courses offer a decent start with time for the group to break up so by the time you hit singletrack your kind of with peeps your own pace. Kind of....until they hit rocks....hehe. one by one peeps dab, and i grab a pass. Time goes by, I get to the 16 miles check where a friend tells me I am in 8th place. I somewhat doubt her for a minute because there are like 30 women registered, and I haven't seen any since the start, but she assures me most women have not come through yet. Hhhmmm, this gives me a little extra motivation so I head on out trying to keep up a pace. Soon I see CB with a mechanical she makes it clear she IS NOT fixing and is heading out. Poor CB, but bumps me up a notch as long as I don't get my butt passed. Back and forth with Jennifer Wolfson from Harrisonburg, soon she disappears....later I find out also a DNF not sure why.
Check 2 at 36 miles finally comes up, I run into Misty from Harrisonburg who must have been just right in front of me all day but takes some time at the check. She is on my tail as I leave, and as usual sets a pace just slightly faster than I can maintain......but just a little too fast for the upcoming flat potential long DH.....at the bottom she is flatted. YES.....I attempt to hustle a few minutes on her. It really does not work, later she is right back with me. I know she knows the course & most likely pre-rode the finish.
Rumor is from check 2 to the end is the fast part of the course, being more gravel road and just a few last sections of trail. If Misty crushes me here, my second hope is just not to get passed by anyone else. We get to the entry to the last final DH to the finish, I don't know the finish but she does and takes the DH. Ok with me because it started off pretty rough & her on full suspension and knowing the DH just took off while I took a bit to get my bearing on dropping off a few steep for me things. She pulls in almost 1 minute on me to the finish.
So I started and ended in 8th. Usually that is kind of how it goes for me, I am lucky to get & maintain any position & usually good at sitting right where I start. Overall out of 30 starters(although results do not show all the DNF starters), I was pretty happy with 8th and actually felt good, and for once actually liked the 29er today even on wet rocks!! Not sure what up with that:-) Congrats to all the Pgh & harrisonburg peeps that had a good day here!!
thanks CS for another well organized event!!
Results/info:
http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/htm/home/page_home.htm
Dash 4 Cash Charity Event
Well, Dash 4 Cash is one of my favs, so I send JP off down to the Big Bear 2x12 to pair up with Suz F. in hopes they get in the $$ while I head on up to the Dash.
Now I've helped in the past build trails here, ridden here in good and bad conditions, know every hard uphill that has been since taken out. So it's a muddy day, the creeks are super high, and two hard climbs are gone....should still be sweet.
Time trial format here is a good idea as the trail is primarily all singletrack and with the mud/rocks/creeks it's nice to have the spaced out riders. But it also makes it hard to know where your pace stands! So I line up with Paula B, and just as we settle into a pace in the first stretch of mud slop suddenly my pedals spin around with NO tension. Well, this is a feeling I have had one too many times, without a second thought I yell bye to Paula, jump off the bike, and start the hike back to the start. Totally blown out hub. Why me?? Every few months, another friggin hub. POS.
So, not too happy but not much I can do about it, I hustle back to the car, swap on my new Rajamuri running sandals, grab the camera and jog on down to one of the creek crossings. I proceed to hang out here in the drizzle with one of the volunteer fireman and take photos as racers come across. Fun enough. Then the jog back, FYI...the running sandals let your feet slide on the footbed just a little too much & worse in the wet....not highly recommended for slick trail running:-)
As usual, Jarvis Lindsay (and his family, and the Buffalo VFD) organizes a good event with a nice BBQ porc dinner afterwards & raffle. If your local, this is a day you should try once. The Lindsays have beautiful farm/wooded property & open it for this event on trails that are hard, cool, wild & rustic feeling. This is true mountain biking!! And it raised $$$ for the local fire dept. who provides support for the event. There are also different length trail run options available on this day through American Adventure Sports.
Pictures I took are posted on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=227948&id=621536207&l=8d8c25732e
Now I've helped in the past build trails here, ridden here in good and bad conditions, know every hard uphill that has been since taken out. So it's a muddy day, the creeks are super high, and two hard climbs are gone....should still be sweet.
Time trial format here is a good idea as the trail is primarily all singletrack and with the mud/rocks/creeks it's nice to have the spaced out riders. But it also makes it hard to know where your pace stands! So I line up with Paula B, and just as we settle into a pace in the first stretch of mud slop suddenly my pedals spin around with NO tension. Well, this is a feeling I have had one too many times, without a second thought I yell bye to Paula, jump off the bike, and start the hike back to the start. Totally blown out hub. Why me?? Every few months, another friggin hub. POS.
So, not too happy but not much I can do about it, I hustle back to the car, swap on my new Rajamuri running sandals, grab the camera and jog on down to one of the creek crossings. I proceed to hang out here in the drizzle with one of the volunteer fireman and take photos as racers come across. Fun enough. Then the jog back, FYI...the running sandals let your feet slide on the footbed just a little too much & worse in the wet....not highly recommended for slick trail running:-)
As usual, Jarvis Lindsay (and his family, and the Buffalo VFD) organizes a good event with a nice BBQ porc dinner afterwards & raffle. If your local, this is a day you should try once. The Lindsays have beautiful farm/wooded property & open it for this event on trails that are hard, cool, wild & rustic feeling. This is true mountain biking!! And it raised $$$ for the local fire dept. who provides support for the event. There are also different length trail run options available on this day through American Adventure Sports.
Pictures I took are posted on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=227948&id=621536207&l=8d8c25732e
Muskingham Mayhem @ The Wilds, OH
ok, so I really need to do something longer and try to go faster for a workout. But...not really ready for a long race & need to save some cash. So, I see a small annual trail fund raiser event is going on just a short drive away at the Wilds OH in which you can pick your mileage and your pace, have some aide stations/sag available AND get lunch, dinner/beer for $20, AND get a course laid out not only through the Wilds sweet singletrack but also through the wild outdoor zoo area....woah....this is incredible deal, so I head on out with the intent to camp afterwards and do the OMBC race the next day as well.
For the Mayhem, you could pick a basic marked loop of either 40 OR 60 miles (later found out the course gps was only ~54 or so)...or you could follow some locals and shortcut through like a piece of swiss cheese and do the casual thing. I was IN for the 60....at the first course split it was obvious not many were taking this option. splitting off with a few men I got a little nervous knowing they would drop me in a minute & I'd be left to the chance of wrong turns all day long. But whatev...down the split I went.
Nearing the end of the split, still with another rider in sight, suddenly the merged courses became confusing. We climbed, then turned around and went back down, then climbed the same climb again, then went back down......this is when we see STEPHE....merging from the 40 course....coming up the hill. OMG....I yell "is this the right way??? huh huh huh. is it???" Stephe is having asthma and cant get the answer out fast enough for my anxiousness, I rudely yell "what are you walking for??" he calmly says, "I have bad asthma and cannot breathe right now". "ok well save a breath & tell me which friggin way to go".....thankfully he has an idea of the course and points us along. Thankfully Stephe is with us for the next hour or so as I continue to need redirection several more times during this section! Thanks Stephe & hope your asthma is getting better & most people you run into are nicer than me!!! :-)
I determine my pace is a little slow for my goal today so attempt to pick it up, hitting the lunch check before you know it. It's pretty well stocked, everything is out, and with limited help you just needed to get your own stuff and make your own sandwich if you wanted one, but it was cool because there really wasn't a big crowd.
The second 40/60 split diverted to some longer gravel road climbing followed by a long descent right back to the course. One more gravel climb to a water check, then it's onon through the rest of the Wilds zoo, back through the Wilds loopy singletrack, to the finish & a sweet grilled dinner with tons of food!!
I cannot say where or when I have gotten so much for $20 before in my life! This event was organized well, the course was super, and the aide/food was awesome! It was marked well enough, although in my rush I was not always paying attention. It is timed, but not a race at all, so everyone can get what they want out of the ride. Total people were about 80 which was a good enough size yet not overcrowded or running out of food, still with a very grassroots feel to it.
Needless to say I totally burned myself out attempting to rush through the course, and decided not to camp for the OMBC much as I wanted to. I mean all this for $20, followed by a short course for $30 without all the luxuries? Seemed pretty silly:-)
If you've never been to the Wilds & up for the mileage, look up this event next year hosted by the AOA of Ohio, in conjunction with OMBC:
http://joinomba.org/aoa/
http://ombc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=126
For the Mayhem, you could pick a basic marked loop of either 40 OR 60 miles (later found out the course gps was only ~54 or so)...or you could follow some locals and shortcut through like a piece of swiss cheese and do the casual thing. I was IN for the 60....at the first course split it was obvious not many were taking this option. splitting off with a few men I got a little nervous knowing they would drop me in a minute & I'd be left to the chance of wrong turns all day long. But whatev...down the split I went.
Nearing the end of the split, still with another rider in sight, suddenly the merged courses became confusing. We climbed, then turned around and went back down, then climbed the same climb again, then went back down......this is when we see STEPHE....merging from the 40 course....coming up the hill. OMG....I yell "is this the right way??? huh huh huh. is it???" Stephe is having asthma and cant get the answer out fast enough for my anxiousness, I rudely yell "what are you walking for??" he calmly says, "I have bad asthma and cannot breathe right now". "ok well save a breath & tell me which friggin way to go".....thankfully he has an idea of the course and points us along. Thankfully Stephe is with us for the next hour or so as I continue to need redirection several more times during this section! Thanks Stephe & hope your asthma is getting better & most people you run into are nicer than me!!! :-)
I determine my pace is a little slow for my goal today so attempt to pick it up, hitting the lunch check before you know it. It's pretty well stocked, everything is out, and with limited help you just needed to get your own stuff and make your own sandwich if you wanted one, but it was cool because there really wasn't a big crowd.
The second 40/60 split diverted to some longer gravel road climbing followed by a long descent right back to the course. One more gravel climb to a water check, then it's onon through the rest of the Wilds zoo, back through the Wilds loopy singletrack, to the finish & a sweet grilled dinner with tons of food!!
I cannot say where or when I have gotten so much for $20 before in my life! This event was organized well, the course was super, and the aide/food was awesome! It was marked well enough, although in my rush I was not always paying attention. It is timed, but not a race at all, so everyone can get what they want out of the ride. Total people were about 80 which was a good enough size yet not overcrowded or running out of food, still with a very grassroots feel to it.
Needless to say I totally burned myself out attempting to rush through the course, and decided not to camp for the OMBC much as I wanted to. I mean all this for $20, followed by a short course for $30 without all the luxuries? Seemed pretty silly:-)
If you've never been to the Wilds & up for the mileage, look up this event next year hosted by the AOA of Ohio, in conjunction with OMBC:
http://joinomba.org/aoa/
http://ombc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=126
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Annual Mountwood Mudfest
Never fails, WVMBA Mountwood is a popular early season race, but always a mudfest. Why should this year be any different. Dont worry, it wasn't. But it sure was nice to ride it for once with disc brakes. Yes, every year until now, I have ridden the mudfest with rim brakes & usually had to run quite a bit to finish.
So, it's just me, Cassie, and Klara. It's pretty much solid what order we will end up in, so we just all hit our own pace and go from there. The only hectic time is the bulk of the sport pack did catch me on some of the slippery DH sections & I got held up with their inscessant incoherent ability to pass smoothly and safely, thus forcing me to have to pull over and STOP multiple times in order to not get taken out. Excuse me, but is anyone here winning worlds??
Always a mixed up new fangled twist of turns, Mountwood was once again a fun course with a extra wet creek crossing finish, and the nice pavilion to crowd under during the rain!
So, it's just me, Cassie, and Klara. It's pretty much solid what order we will end up in, so we just all hit our own pace and go from there. The only hectic time is the bulk of the sport pack did catch me on some of the slippery DH sections & I got held up with their inscessant incoherent ability to pass smoothly and safely, thus forcing me to have to pull over and STOP multiple times in order to not get taken out. Excuse me, but is anyone here winning worlds??
Always a mixed up new fangled twist of turns, Mountwood was once again a fun course with a extra wet creek crossing finish, and the nice pavilion to crowd under during the rain!
First Hundie of the Year
Well, this was a valiant effort. Cohutta 100, a course I heard about, wasn't what I expected but suffered through.
Started out riding a pace just behind a race aquaintance, Cricket Butler. This was consistent, but slowly Cricket got ahead & I noticed a few other girls passed me by pretty early. On easy stuff I was just pedaling such a slow cadence......hhmm, the 29er is slowing me down is my first thought!! wtf, everyone says these big wheels roll fast on smooth...it doesn't get any smoother than Cohutta!! Well, I think it was just hitting the repetitive multi-miles of gravel rollers (SHOOT ME!) that I just wasn't keeping momentum on & got completely frustrated. Then the pelting rainstorm rolled in, with nonstop bolts of lightening just as I crested the one BIG climb to a check. Just happens the check had a sweet cabin with a cozy fire inside and a TON of bikes on the porch. As I see Cricket and some other girls ready to roll from the check.....
I quickly ask 'what are all those bikes?'....
the checks say 'people are inside, not finishing due to the weather is so bad'.
REALLY? Wow!! I say 'awesome, can I go in?' Thus a downward spiral of giving up sets in.
Once inside, I lay my soaked items by the fire, & chat a little. Thunder and lightening are booming outside, I wonder how many peeps in the front are really finishing. As time goes on, I slowly begin to think that the people in the cabin are being a little over exagerrated about the weather & I think I don't belong in this group! I didn't come here to start a pattern of DNF for no good reason. So after an hour of drying off, I valiantly head out the door, ignoring the cries from inside of: "you could die out there", "your crazy", "your gonna wreck on the DH"......WHATEV!!!!!
So, now extra far behind I do what I can to make the last timecheck. Miraculously I do come across a few peeps riding this far behind. One is a young 23 YO doing his first ever long event, he is pooped but really trying so we ride together for quite a bit which is nice. We make the check and hit the fun, long DH to home. I come in to find my carpool a little anxious to hit the road, as I have now ruined the trip home and we have to stay overnight somewhere 1/2 way. They shove a cold plate of food in my face, help me dunk my stuff in the river to clean up and towards home we go. I also find out, most usual front runners all finished despite the cries of such insane weather, go figure!!!
The area of the Cohutta is beautiful to drive into, unfortunately the course itself is not quite so scenic or exciting. It is a nice set up, and if it's close for you worth the entry. Not worth a 9 hour drive.
Started out riding a pace just behind a race aquaintance, Cricket Butler. This was consistent, but slowly Cricket got ahead & I noticed a few other girls passed me by pretty early. On easy stuff I was just pedaling such a slow cadence......hhmm, the 29er is slowing me down is my first thought!! wtf, everyone says these big wheels roll fast on smooth...it doesn't get any smoother than Cohutta!! Well, I think it was just hitting the repetitive multi-miles of gravel rollers (SHOOT ME!) that I just wasn't keeping momentum on & got completely frustrated. Then the pelting rainstorm rolled in, with nonstop bolts of lightening just as I crested the one BIG climb to a check. Just happens the check had a sweet cabin with a cozy fire inside and a TON of bikes on the porch. As I see Cricket and some other girls ready to roll from the check.....
I quickly ask 'what are all those bikes?'....
the checks say 'people are inside, not finishing due to the weather is so bad'.
REALLY? Wow!! I say 'awesome, can I go in?' Thus a downward spiral of giving up sets in.
Once inside, I lay my soaked items by the fire, & chat a little. Thunder and lightening are booming outside, I wonder how many peeps in the front are really finishing. As time goes on, I slowly begin to think that the people in the cabin are being a little over exagerrated about the weather & I think I don't belong in this group! I didn't come here to start a pattern of DNF for no good reason. So after an hour of drying off, I valiantly head out the door, ignoring the cries from inside of: "you could die out there", "your crazy", "your gonna wreck on the DH"......WHATEV!!!!!
So, now extra far behind I do what I can to make the last timecheck. Miraculously I do come across a few peeps riding this far behind. One is a young 23 YO doing his first ever long event, he is pooped but really trying so we ride together for quite a bit which is nice. We make the check and hit the fun, long DH to home. I come in to find my carpool a little anxious to hit the road, as I have now ruined the trip home and we have to stay overnight somewhere 1/2 way. They shove a cold plate of food in my face, help me dunk my stuff in the river to clean up and towards home we go. I also find out, most usual front runners all finished despite the cries of such insane weather, go figure!!!
The area of the Cohutta is beautiful to drive into, unfortunately the course itself is not quite so scenic or exciting. It is a nice set up, and if it's close for you worth the entry. Not worth a 9 hour drive.
Early Spring
So,after spending quite a bit of winter working and lots of XC skiing in Coudersport PA, I am now home & still a working stiff for a bit. It's time to hit an initial race, ready or not. We pick OMBC Mohican XC just the fact the course seems to be a nice climb practice as half the loop is one long climb.
On a freshie 29er for the first time, it's a big bike for little muscles!
The race went ok, finished 5th out of 7 girls, really felt not ready to race, esp on this bike!
I can tell my favorite thing to do, climb, is a whole new beast on a bigger bike.
ok that is over, game not quite on yet.
On a freshie 29er for the first time, it's a big bike for little muscles!
The race went ok, finished 5th out of 7 girls, really felt not ready to race, esp on this bike!
I can tell my favorite thing to do, climb, is a whole new beast on a bigger bike.
ok that is over, game not quite on yet.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Most Grand Tour Ever....let's give this another shot......
The 2010 Tour de Burg.
This year's 4 Women Tour Finishers
(me, jennifer wolfson, sue hwood, sue george)
what is it:
a local club ride in pro-ville harrisonburg VA. for 5-1/2 days you literally chase down some of the east coasts fastest, most notorious riders in an effort to prove you are worthy to be there. or not.
who goes:
aside from the formentioned big wigs, only local riders go or some very close invited buddies from a few different towns. somehow JP & I hooked up with the Tour some odd 6 years ago doing small bits of it each time while visiting, until 2009 we felt ok to join for the whole sha-bang.
what you do:
it's like a mini tour de france, but yet not so mini. you need to be prepared to ride some 350+ miles on whatever terrain the leader has chosen, maybe like 25000(?) climbing...not sure...no one REALLY keeps track. If you are slower like myself, you need to be ready to hustle for just about ALL 300 miles or risk complete ridicule.
Race sections (usually 2/day each lasting just over an hour for the leaders, with a short lunch break) you have 1 hour max to be in from the leader, parade sections you NEED to be spot on with the group or you get dumped. Basically, you climb a TON.....and descend some LONG sweet forest DH as a reward!!!! There are KOM, Sprint, overall GC, TT, DFL, and Super D points along the way.
the guys have 'teams' and some strategizing going on in the GC, including a hair cut/shave contest for time bonus.
how to do it:
you either know someone local to stay at their house, or beg to yardcamp. Me & JP yardcamp with some Boone NCers. This makes a little rougher week, but whatev.
So, last year we ran into constant rain & muddy conditions. by day 5 I was most definitely in last place of the local women, led by Sue H. pace. although it really doesn't matter what the girls are doing.....you need to be within 1 hour each stage from the OVERALL leader to continue on. some years this has been JB, harlan price, brian fawley, sam koerber or some sort of similarly paced local or not so local peep.
hence, you can see the dilema of me even attending!!!! So last year, I manage to somewhat meet the timechecks, although forced to sag once due to the crappy weather and the group leaving without me, I was not DNF for it...but on the last day I had just about had it with being last, and to make it worse it was POURING & I woke up with no further ambition to struggle on what was going to be some long, technical, wet DHs on RIM BRAKES. So I opted DNF....Ugh....
So, I am back this year with a vengenance. To finish. That is all. Finish and not be TOO far back from some of the local girls. But hence right from the getgo, the comp is all over me....wth?? I am here for fun & challenge myself to get through the week. Just before the first MTB TT prologue, I am spinning around, Sue H. leads me astray from the start sidetracking me with conversation about battling a certain local in the womens tour. I say "NO WAY, not into it!!" ok, so now not only has she got me knowing someone is out for me...but I also MISS THE START of my TT!!! Just a few seconds but still in a 1 hour TT, getting a shit start didn't help!! Being not a local is not a good quality here......they will screw you anytime they can:-)
So, the TT goes ok, I come in about midpack and the night is off to the group ethiopian dinner out in town & then off to our yardcamp for the night. And this year, it seems the Tour will be hit by a heat wave!! this week the NE gets a wave of 100 degree temps & dry as a bone.
Day 2
A classic typical MTB day here in shenendoah mountains. we are up for a 45 miles MTB, some heinous uphills are added in for our pleasure. There is some miles of parading for a warm up, then some sketchy directions on how to navigate the George Washington forest up at elevations that barely any peeps attend to so we are clearly warned trails may/may not even be visible. This is a hard 'race' day sections. Huge forest road climbs ensue in the late morning blazing sun and rising heat. people are walking, crawling already in first race section. Finally hitting some shade, only to find it's neck high nettles over big rocks. wth....eventually to the treachorously fast DH and lunch checkpoint. People are bloody and totally disheveled looking!! But being the first day, no one is disheartened and the section 2 race is on, just as good, I do ok this day. Holding on to keep going, although the local girls are crushing me.
Day 3
Day 3: Me & JP on top of Reddish Knob
Typical 'roadie' day here. This is the 100 miler road day + a short MTB TT to top of the evening. Road term is used loosely here. the terrain can & will be not all exactly road. This is a big flat potential day. You can use whatever bike you like that you can keep up on, most peeps are on some sort of cross bike. heading out from town on parade pace, again this for me is a hustle right from get go. I have learned how to somewhat keep up by getting in the group and drafting some, the group is fast & tight. It gets scary sometimes, but gotta keep in for fear of getting dropped & kicked off the tour to be a mere spectator. Race section 1 again a regroup and some sketchy directions. Climbing up some forest roads forever and ever. I totally lose the group...darn..how are they going SO fast!!! I ride the rest of the section alone, which sucks because after gravel DH number 1 there is a long flat road which would be nice to have some peeps here for drafting!!! I know I lose tons time here alone, but keep going just hoping I make the time lunch check!! Climb 2 in the section is shorter but steeper, and full on sun getting hot now, finally reaching the Confederate Breastworks overlook, onto the sweet s-turns road down the mountain crossing into WV, thru a short valley, one more short climb to go....I still see NO ONE in sight!! although I do see an ambulance going by and I wonder 'for the tour???' cresting this last hill, it's a few minutes roll to lunch stop, i hold my breath as I can't see anyone there! OMG, I was too late!!!! I hit the timer very upset, but then look further left & see the groupo IS still there....WAY over under the shade trees!! Holy Cow, no one even looks near ready to get up and go yet....they are all sitting around in the shade looking kind of half dead. Not sure what is wrong with them, but I know i can't have much time before tour director is yelling 'lets go'....so I get water refills, and start munching on sammiches. Say quick Hi to JP & then I hear the ambulance WAS for the tour!!! Losing control in some gravel on the descent, a bad accident happened for one rider, he gets stiches all over his face & is at the camp this night but does DNF he is pretty badly banged up.
Ok-parade pace section 2 is on. I know it's another super climb and DH, so I try to keep some energy during the parade and drink more too. Race 2, straight up some loose gravel to start and onto some dirt road....on & on & on crossing back in VA. I see some peeps sidelined with flats, it's gets pretty bumpy with rocks on the roadie bikes/tires. Sun is sweltering. Finally our high destination...Reddish Knob lookout!!! No DH to end the stage, but a really nice place to stop and hang out a bit. So, I make the check in time...I am SO happy as last year the weather was crap & the group left early here me ending up having to short cut in the sag & miss the DH with the group. this year I am happy I will get the DH but really wonder how the parade back to town will go. So hanging out, i come to discover that JP has totally sabatoged the womens GC!!! ok, so it's not REALLY a race, but yet it is. Everyone trying hardest for best time from the leader, hoping for no mechanical/bad flats, etc. So Sue of course the womens leader has a bad episode this day with flats and then a wheel issue that leaves her walking to finish. JP had flats too and sees her....he GIVES HER HIS WHEEL....she comes back to win the stage. hhhmmmm.....thanks JP, next time the leader in your group has issue giving you an edge us girls will remember this one!!! Just because we are girls and someone is a pro doesn't mean we aren't actually trying to have a race just like you are against the pro men!!! Either way, i am happy to still be with the group and we start the casual long DH coast towards town. About 1/2 way down a 'coast off' contest begins....the leaders end up coasting about 8 mile(?), JP gets a second in the contest(!)
along the way, while I've been hanging to keep up in the back, i hear rumors that JP has been killing the KOM sections and has accumulated lots of points so far!!!! i don't get to see the KOM except for them taking off at the start, but they are gone in seconds so I am clueless what goes on after that. he is happy with KOM as there are some fast peeps here to go against for it. After the coast off, regroup and i decide to head with the more casual group back to town, sidelining ourselves to a swimming hole...this was a welcome cool off!! but also got me with a smaller group afterwards getting a little lost back to town and adding a few extra miles. that always happens around here!!!
Not time to do much...once back, it's time to switch bikes and ride straight over to local park for a twisty tight MTB TT. This is a short one folks, but after spending the day on 105 miles in blazing 100 temps, even a 15 minute TT is a test. It comes out ok, the marks are hard to follow in the twistiness for those of us not familiar with the park, I wreck & dab quite a few time in my hastiness and missed turns. Finally done, it's time for the yard yummy cooked grill dinner at the Tour set up at director's house. find out the overall GC points, and try to get some scoop on the next day. sweet.
Day 4
back to the MTB. another normal day around here. up for some 40 mileish ride with 2 race sections, and parade pace in between. This start is a short drive from town, and rumor is today is up, up, up to some rocky ridge riding with some hike biking in both sections, this section is new to me and never been here before, but it sounds exciting, I have no shame in jumping off my bike although I know so many people seem to hate it!!! I know i am getting tired and I know the local peeps know what's coming up including the DH finishes, but just hoping again to do ok. So it's off, and surprisingly I soon catch up and pass 2 of the girls not having such a great time in some initial rockiness. Not sure why, they usually do ok in it, but I figure they will get me on the DH on the their full suspension bikes and what not. This day is rough going....lots of sections crawling over rocks along the ridge, lots of guys stuck with tires issues. I come up on JP with flat. I feel bad, but I keep going. Soon he is riding right behind me, and since he has KOM and now lost time for GC he says he just ride with me. That makes me nervous but I try just keep going fast as I can, excited to be ahead of 2 girls now. It goes good this day they don't catch me on the fast technical DH and I gain some time in girls GC!!!
Lunch stop & I realize coming in sooner kind of sucks. You have to sit around SO much longer and you end up eating more, a little too much!! Everyone is attempting to snuggle up in the shade as the group waits for everyone to get in and and rest a little. Finally it's off for section 2, another repeat rock like stuff, but this time even more big rocks and hiking. Again i do ok this section, but not as much time gap as section one. One girl drops out the section, another has since left the tour, one claims to take a wrong turn, and again JP is somehow riding behind me. I come is second overall girl today behind Sue H....& i cut my overall time in last place from 1 hour to only 20 minutes!! yeah, that was sweet....but probably not repeatable for the remaining days!!!
Back to tour director house for another sweet grill dinner, the off to yard camp. home sweet home for the week:-)
Day 5
It's another 'roadie' day here in harrisonburg. This time a little shorter, 60-70 miles(?) and a little bit more pavement is planned. Riding out from town parade pace for a ways, regroup for directions, and it's off for another climb start. JP is off for KOM again so I don't see him, or many other peeps, for hours!! Well, ok really only about 50 min on this race section, it's a bit shorter and fast. A quick stop and it's parade to section 2, a little more climbing and little longer. Now, i don't see anyone for a LONG time. Even with the gravel road section I see no one really down with flats, until I hit the pavement I see JP. he not having a good time with bike again, and since had KOM and out of GC is behind the group. We ride together for lots of roadie miles and then some back country gravel small rollys finally to the end. I am way last except the the men's DFL who is purposely going very slow. any time i gained in Day 4 mtb has just been relost. bummer.oh well, time for another super dinner, enter the head shaving escapade, get ready for Day 6.
And I realize the sore throat that started yesterday is way more than a sore throat, somehow turning into a very bad sinus infection just hoping not to feel worse. Why now????
hair in process final: RUTHLESS
Day 6
This is the last day!!!! All I have to do is get through this day and I actually FINISHED THE TOUR!! For some this is easy accomplishment, but at a constant race pace for me to keep up, this is an all out effort for me for 300+ miles....so I am SO HAPY!!! And to top it off, I am excited to hear the day is some nasty rocks with some more hike a bikeing most likely to be had, total ~40 mileish(?). hehe. I just hope this sinus thing lays off a little, I am still finishing no matter what!! So a short drive to the forest, parade/KOM up the hill, regroup and start section 1. No sooner into the trail a short hike bike ensues and I get a spot just ahead of 2 girls, 3rd girl flats, I manage to keep my spot for the section. But they are right on my tail, doesn't really give me too much time gain. Again lunch break, sit in the shade, regroup, parade/KOM the uphill, and start section 2. whew.....another good rocky route!!! We hit the bigger hike bikes now and I am in front of the same two girls. Again I manage to keep the lead just on these two & come in 2nd today to Sue H again but overall time gain doesn't get me as much today.....still overall DEAD LAST GIRL out of 5 finishers (7 starters) this year. And the head shave.....the 1 minute time bonus really didn't get me too far:-( but still pretty fun!!!!!
and Justin WINS OVERALL KOM!!!!!!
So, that is my story of the 2010 Tour. It's a great time, great organization, great course, and doesn't cost a ton of $$$$. Am I recommending people go crash the Tour for a victory??? No, the Tour is quite a local scene, not meant to accommodate the masses or many non-locals. What I would love to do with the experience of being in portions and now all of the Tour, is actually have a Tour in my own local area. It is an awesome annual event in Harrisonburg, that peeps are committed to make happen, participate in, & encourage their own locals to get involved in. Not sure that kind of support/commitment/participation exists in the Pgh MTB community for an event quite like this. But maybe someday......
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