The race course was a bit different this year. The same basic beginning, but then we went further South to grab some single track on the Pinhotti #2 section. Backtracked on the same course before diving off on another section of the Pinhotti trail. Then followed roughly the same course back to the start, cutting off about 10 miles of single track but adding some other stuff to close it out. I clocked it at 103 miles with 13600' climbing in 10:17 clock time (9:45 ride time). It was definitely harder than last year's race and I loved it. Last year's course was hard, but there was just too much stupid gravel in the middle and so I liked breaking it up a little. I also liked the out-n-back format because I got to see the return pros coming at us. And I knew kind of what to expect of the second half of the course. I also liked that it was a harder. Jeremiah Bishop said that no one will call this the "easy one" anymore; I agree. It isn't the most technical at all, but it is a legit sufferfest.
My plan was to start at the back, stay fairly conservative for the first two-thirds or so, and then see what I had left. I lined up more than 75% of the way back, purposely trying to put myself among slower riders. I would guess there were 300 or more riders (later I learned almost 400 started). We set off at 7am on the dot with moderate but humid temps.
On the first section we climbed about 3 miles on a road and I stayed right with the folks around me. We entered the first section of single track and it was wheel to wheel. The pace was just about right, I had no inclinations to get around anyone and no one behind me seemed eager to pass either ... a nice start to the event. After about 40 minutes or so, we cross the infamous rock river section, go across a bridge and then continue on the single track climb. I went around 2 or 3 guys here and then had open trail in front of me for a long single track climb. I moved out here for the first time actually applying a little power. It felt good but I was wary of how much more toughness lay ahead.
After a long time, maybe an hour or more, we dumped out on the first gravel road section. It was flattish for a few miles before climbing gradually and then more steeply. I was ready to be off the single track as the pace was slow (10 mph) and the effort hard (harder than I wanted). This first gravel climb is 2000' and I remember it well from last year. It is in my perfect zone -- a steepness of about 10% where I can climb quickly and efficiently but staying away from the steeper stuff that exposes my lack of power. I made good time here picking off about 10 or more riders on the climb. Once on top, there are a few small rollers (200' or so) and I went past lots of people. I felt my effort was steady but harder, maybe even a little harder than I wanted.
I also went through my camel back on this climb and rode 30 min without water. No huge deal, but I was surprised how quickly I was drinking. I knew from last year's cramp fest that I needed to drink more. The temps were much higher in this race too, approaching the 70s by now and I was sweating a good bit. So my plan was to drink often and I was.
I rolled in to check point 3 (mile 36) and ate half my foot-long sub and downed a coke. I needed the food at this point and I needed water. The next section was tough with about 5 medium climbs in the 500' range, and they were steep buggers too. This is where I got hurt last year but I knew this year's stuff was just the prelude to harder pieces yet to come. We then had a mega descent of about 5 miles. The lead riders were coming back up this monster hill so it was fun to see them. Jeremiah Bishop, then Cristian Tanguy, then some other guys. I saw Gerry Plug and Garth Prosser too. We finally rolled in to Check Point 4 (mile 51) where I topped off my water and went for the south loop. I was surprised how many return riders were already there (this was check point 5 too). I figured they were an hour ahead of us at that point. I really thought I was closer to the "main pack" so it was a little disconcerting. Still I kept my focus and headed out.
The southern loop was a blast. This Pinhotti #2 was an absolute dream. Tight twisties, ups and downs, berms, smooth single track goodness. I was ripping it. I have never been known for my descending prowess, especially on technical single track. But I got to say that NOT ONE SINGLE rider passed me on any downhill this year. And I passed quite a bit, both on gravel and on single track. I know the 29er full susp buys me some "talent", but I must also be getting better at the technical riding and maybe I weigh more too! :( After ejecting from the singletrack bliss, we started the MONSTER climb back up. Maybe 1/10 of the way up, we returned to Checkpoint 4/5 where I got my bracelet and ate/drank lots, including the second half of my sub and another coke. I knew what hell lay ahead.
This is mile 63 and the start of the hardest part of the course. The next five miles went straight up without respite. Maybe averaging 15% with sections above 20%. It was just a killer. I knew it would be hard, but this was freakn hard. And blistering hot. And there were monster horse flies all over us. My gps was showing silly speeds of 3mph or so which was depressing. But I kept my heart rate in check at 160 or less -- I still had many hours to go and couldn't risk blowing up or bringing on the cramps. I also just barely started feeling the pre-cramp twitches in my legs and would back down the pace a little. Standing from time to time helped too.
We finally crested the climb only to face the five 500' medium climbs. I recalled from looking at the map that we would dive off on to the next section of single track before returning to check point 3/6, but it seemed to come forever. I kept thinking, "after this next climb, then the singletrack" only to find yet another gravel climb. I also started having dark thoughts, mostly of the "I'm lost" variety. But then a pink arrow would appear and reassure me. I picked off a bunch of guys here. I felt slow, but I was going past a stream of guys going much slower and no one was passing me.
We finally hit a section of Pinhotti singletrack -- I think it was the South Fork section. It was more of a grassy jeep trail, but it was still a nice relief from the gravel climbs. There was a surprise creek crossing at the bottom which soaked both feet but the cold water felt good. Back at Aid Station 3/6 I ate more and drank lots. We had mostly descending ahead, but my legs were very tired, on the verge of cramping, and I knew there were more gravel climbs mixed in.
After some absurd rolling teasers, we shot down a long descent and then hit a bunch of smaller gravel climbs. I passed a lot of people and then found a small handful of guys who seemed to muster some energy and came back at me. We would swap places for the next hour or so but no one could get much out of sight of the others. Then once we hit the last check point (1 & 8) with only 13 miles to go, I put the hammer down and went by a bunch of guys. We entered the last singletrack section of about 5 miles. I remember last year that this was mostly down hill, except I forgot about all the short punchy climbs mixed in. Steep little buggers hidden from view around a blind corner. They were painful but they also helped me go by another slew of riders. I finally dropped out on pavement and then put my head down for the last 2 miles in to the finish. I wasn't letting anyone get by me!
I clocked in at 10:17 with 9:45 of ride time. I needed all the stoppage time, or rather I needed to eat and drink that much. I clocked 9:20 last year (8:50 ride time) but this course was more than an hour longer so I think I did better. I didn't cramp this year too. Both years, this and last, I felt strong at the end only holding back some so I didn't cramp out. I finished 82 in the Men's Open. Maybe about 100th overall. That would place me in the top third to quarter. There must have been a ton of attrition because only just over 200 finishers are reported in the results.
I need to figure out these cramps so I can put more power down in the last quarter of the course. I also need to develop more power so I can climb faster. Maybe eat more on the bike so I can cut my stoppage time down too. But mostly climb faster.
A good race for me! Maybe a good start to the season!
