Vengence - Rivers Edge

Ok, so the title is a little over dramatic, but at least it makes me feel good.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but I wanted to finish this race ever since I didn't finish it last year.  I guess I am just determined like that.  Or just really stoopid.

It all started...way to damn early in the morning.  Waking up at 530 to make sure that I got my food in me. Bagel, cheese, turkey, egg bagel, with banana and orange juice.  Not a bad breakfast before 6.  I had most the food and drinks loaded up in the car the night before, all I had to do was make sure I got the burrower food and ready to go out the door and then went to pick up Big Dave. 

He was outside his homestead unit with bike ready and waiting for the sufferfest.  We arrived around 8 am for the 9 am start, and found a nice pit place right on the trail, just past the start/finish line.  We proceeded to stake our claim the the shade tent, chairs, picnic table, coolers....I was a little tired just setting up the area.

8:45 was the role call and pre-racers meeting.  It was a cool morning and the trail was dry.  It was going to be a fast day (for everyone but me)

9:08 AM the race started up the fire road.  Not realizing that it was a slight uphill due to the excitement, I was in a wrong gear and struggled to get momentum.  .2 miles in a 55 mile race and I was already doing stupid stuff.  What else is new. 

The first lap went pretty well, it usually does in these sort of things.  Everyone is happy and joking.  The fast guys are already miles ahead and I was just strolling along.  The air was cool still, the trail fast, and I found my place where I belong in the pack. As I started the last 3 mile section of singletrack I caught a glimsp of the leaders making the first turn.  Yes, they were over 4 miles ahead of me on an 11 mile course.    Sort of discouraging, but in the end, I am only racing myself. 

Photo credit - the burrower

I came in to the pits, found some Honey Stinger waffles, fruit snacks, got 2 new water bottles and went out.  I ended up with the a group of guys and we ended up riding along for a few miles until they past me.  I was then out there all alone for lap 2.  I was feeling good still, no cramps, no stomach problems and just kept pedaling along.

After lap 2 I came in and got off the bike for a bit.  I had my temporary pit crew member help me adjust my tire pressure.  Thank you to Cat (one of my coworkers daughters)

She was also nice enough to make a sign for me.  It was immediately hung up. 

Its the little moments of encouragement sometimes that keep you going. 

By this time I still hadn't gotten past by my passenger for the ride up, Big Dave.  As I left the pits for lap 3, he was just coming in.  I waved and continued on my lonely way.  I would like to think that something exciting happened during this lap, but it didnt, expect I did get to see the leaders passing me.  Disappointment at its best, I was hoping to make it to lap 4 before the past me.  I was a about full lap and a half off. 

Aftering finishing lap 3, grabbing some food, fluids I went out and completed lap 4.  By this time I was almost ready to be done.  I came in and sat down for a few minutes to try and regain my composure and grab some more food.  I talked briefly with the pit next to me who was entered in the corporate challenge.  Basically an office team who decided to try their luck at one lap each.  I think this being their first mountain bike race they were really impressed with how friendly people were, even in competition.  At one point they even took over our entire tent taking all the chairs.  They did offer to move when I came in but I just wanted to sit on a hard chair so it would give me motivation to get up.  One of hte guys was also impressed with the amount of different food in which we had.  Granola bars, clif bars, fruit snacks, jel packs, bananas, nuts, gel shots, honey waffles.  I had to explain to him sometimes you just don't know what you want to eat at the beginning of a race, so you bring everything and hope it works out. 

Also, 44 miles in I really didn't want to go back out, but having come this far and wanting to finish since last year, I really didn't give myself a choice and went back out for lap 5.  To my surprise I still felt pretty decent and still never got into the granny gear.  That is a personal accomplishment considering the climbs in which Uwharrie has to offer.  Almost done, the trail cleared out and it seemed there was no one left on the trail.  At the last climb of the day I finally felt the cramps start in my legs, I willed them away and muscled up the final hill and let out a girlish scream full of glee.  (Yes, it probably did sound that high pitched).  Finishing was in my sight as I pushed myself to dig and finish the last 4 miles strong. 

The last section of singletrack the burrower was there waiting with the camera.

Thanks again burrower for the pics

I emerged from the last section of singletrack and really tried to push it up the fireroad.  The burrower was there to welcome me and capute the momment.

 

Yes I posed for this, but dammit, I deserved it

 

6 Hours and 8 minutes for 55 miles.  Goal was 6 hours, but I guess I did 50 miles in under 6, so that has to count for something.  After looking at the results I was one of the open men and ended up in around 13 of 16, with 2 people that didn't finish.  There were some really good national and local pro's competing in this class.  I should have signed up for the novice class.  Considering I only ride about 2 times a week and those are for enjoyment I couldn't be condered a sandbagger.  I would have taken 2nd in that class.  Oh well, next year either train harder, or just sign up for the lesser class.  Ill make that decision when it comes.  

Id like to thank the burrower for coming and keeping me fed and watered and for finding some enjoyment of sitting in the middle of an open field for 6 hours.  We did stop at 3 vineyards on the way home, so I repaid some of my debts.  

Depending on my schedule in October I might be doing the BMCC trail ride, all 3 of them, Dark Mtn, Warrior creek, and the other one, which I can't remember.  So stay tuned.

Rivers Edge Race report (1 of 2)

This past Saturday was all about redemption. Redemption from the course in which had gotten me addicted to endurance mountain biking racing. 50 miles, no stopping and one of the toughest courses in the Charlotte area.

I really don't have a vendetta against this race, I just had a rough go of it last year with a time of about 6 and a half hours. After doing that once I just wanted to better my time. My goal time was 5 hours and 20 minutes. Sadly I did not meet that goal, but did quite a bit better than last years time. 5 hours and 40 minutes was the total time in which I ran the 50 miles in. I had been training for this race for the better part of the summer.

The first lap as usually for me was pretty uneventful. At the starting line I didn't even see the MaddSS go as he was shooting for a podium spot. I started in the back of the pack and decided that would be the best place to work up from. I lined up with one of my new riding partners Dan, and his co-worker Paul. The reason in which he did the race this year was because I did it last year. His goal was to beat my time from last year. He did, but I will get to that later. I quickly left him at the start and got my race pace on. Not knowing who was racing a team means that any one faster than me could have only been doing half the distance that I was. Probably a smart move on their part. Just before we hit the singletrack I passed the Mrs. MaddSS, I said good luck as then used my gears to get past her.

Right off the bat in the technical Figure 8 section of the course I saw one rider down. He was one of the regulars in the local races so I know he knew the course and knew how to handle a bike. I believe he ended up with a broken clavicle from the fall. Also right before the exit of the figure out one of the top female races was down as well. She is a speed demon and actually was in 9th place in the mens Cat 2 series. As she walked off the course the burrower and Erin (my very supportive pit crew) heard her asking someone if she would be ok for the final Wednesday night race for the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series so she could be in the top 10. I hope she is ok because she deserves it.

Well so far I have a lot written, not bad considering I was only about a mile and a half into the race when all of this took place. Since I know this course like the back of my hand I knew where to take my fluids in and where the best places to pass were. I knew how long the climbs where and how to spend my energy. After speaking with a few people while riding, and just chatting with the other races. I spoke with people who have been doing this for a long time, and those who this was their first race. Man did they choose a tough one to start out with.

Thank you Mutt for the picture


While on the green trail on my first lap I ended up passing one of the Burrowers co-workers husband. We actually randomly met up in Wilksboro at Dark Mountain early this summer. We chatted for a few miles, just keeping the pace. It is so much easier to ride when you keep a conversation going. As we went into the pit area I dropped him and picked up my supplies for the next lap. The burrower and Erin just happened to pick up a random in the tent that confused me for a second, but I took my water bottles and then took off, leaving the co-workers husband behind me. Since I keep rambling, I guess I will have to keep this them going all week. The burrower only got a few pictures of me during the race, but some other interesting ones as well so stay tuned.

Finally got it fixed!

I was talking about my old Haro hardtail bike. This bike is a little bit of a monster with pieces and parts from all over the place. The brakes and wheels are from the The Culprit when it got upgraded. The fork is one in which I traded with my neighbor Leo because the stock one was locked up from the wonderful winter short track series. The part I was waiting on was a crank arm.



I stripped the old one switching pedals from flats to clipless a while back. I didn't want to spring for a new crankset for this bike, especially since the plan is to upgrade the culprit and then move all that stuff over to the hardtail. So I decided to donate my time for parts at Trips for Kids.


I ended up getting a crankset but after I got it home I realized that it was a road crankset. Rookie mistake. Turns out that the crank arms were the same type and after borrowing the crank remover tool from Leo I was able to get it back together.


Since this is my current commuter bike I really didn't want to mess with clipless pedals at all but I hated my feet coming off while pedaling so I went with the old style of clipped in pedals. I know this wasn't exactly exciting post with good pictures, but I can tell you that the Mutt put in his guess yesterday about new stuff coming my garage. I am waiting for confirmation of it shipping and then I will definably keep you updated one the news.

Up in store for you tomorrow....weekday group ride at Shermans branch which ended up being a little more difficult than it should have been, even for a social ride, and in store for the weekend, more "training" for the 50 Miler

The Hotties of the World Cup

As promised here are a few of the hottest Wives and Girlfriends of the world cup. Good news it they get as much camera time as the players. Just not always on ESPN.

Alex Curren - Married to Stephan Gerrad of England



Sarah Brandner - Some German dude. (lets not take anything away from her by saying his name in which I cant pronounce)

How does this?


get this?




Abbey Clancey - Model

Anyway, you want world cup scores, check out sportscenter, minus the hurt that Portugal put on N. Korea no real upsets. Anyway the U.S. plays on Wednesday at 10:00. Tune in, support your country unless your a communist, then go to Korea.

So on Sunday it was another day at the WWC for some laps lead by our local single speed mad man MaddSS. An 8:00 AM start time to avoid the heat and off we went. He allowed me to have the lead for most of the time pushing my happy geared ass up and down the hills. He also made me do the weigh station loop and green trail. So anyway he pushed and pulled me through 2 laps there and I think I am a lot better shape for the 50 mile Rivers Edge this year. I am hoping to be my 6 hr and 30 minute time from last year. Shouldn't be too hard assuming no mechanical issues.

So after 2 laps I decide to head some to watch some soccer and get some R and R and while I am taking a nap I receive this text message. "I should have stopped and 2 like a really smart friend of mine" The crazy single speed rider did another 2 laps! 50 miles total on his own free will with no one chasing him and more importantly no promise of beer afterward. This is why he is faster than me, I enjoy my couch too much. Hopefully should get in one more post this week, planning on doing the race at the WWC (where I have been spending all my time recently riding to train for Nationals in Colorado) and then I think I got the burrower convinced to volunteer for the NC State Games with a promise of a T-Shirt. Plus its only for a few hours. Anyway enjoy the pictures.