High Cascades 100 MTB Race

[michael todisco]

Race report:
This course was harder then Leadville. It took me 50 minutes longer to finish this race. There was more vertical feet of climbing, less open downhill sections to bomb. However the High Cascades 100 is more fun with tons of single track bliss.

There were over 300 riders when we lined up, mass start, no category staging. You got to position yourself wherever you wanted. Neutral roll out on the road for a few miles before the woods. I worked my up to the front 30-40 riders. Trying to avoid the log jam, hoping the people in front me were good enough not come off when we hit the technical. My position into the woods was perfect and we were all cruising with no slips. I was feeling it and getting into a grove.

First 20 miles flew by, met my crew at the Wanoga aid station, very fast bottle and fuel exchange and off like a rocket ahead of my projected split time. This was the same for the Swampy and Skyliner aid stations as well.

Now at 40 miles I hit the hardest part of the course that I hadn't a chance to recon. Higher altitude, lots of false summits, heat starting to drain energy. Couldn't find a rhythm even when i hit the measly downhill to the Dutchman aid station (60 miles). I rolled in feeling haggard and drained. I lost a big chunk time on this leg. However thanks to my awesome crew who clean and lubed my bike, got a new cold jersey to put on, took some Tylenol, downed a coke, ate some potatoes and pickles and I was good to go again.

I was feeling it, cruising fast and carving some great single track to Lava Lake, stopped at the neutral support at the 70 mile marker before the climb out of Lava. Another tough uphill but I paced sensibly, since I had the chance to recon this on Wednesday, I knew what I was up against. Got to the top and bombed down a very technical downhill into the the Edison aid station, mile 80, where Debra was waiting with a fresh jersey, coke, pickles and potatoes as well as fresh water and fuel gels.

2 more switchback climbs out of Edison, difficult but manageable and then 6-7 miles of some of best bmx/single track on the Tiddlywinks and Storm King trails, which I previewed on Thursday. Cleaned that section fairly well but was feeling that fatigue and mental funk and was starting to worry my body was going into shutdown mode. I was playing mind games trying to avoid the "dark place"

Then it's 6 miles of road, slight uphill, hot sun, back to the finish line. I see a lone rider way up the road a made the decision that in order to keep my mind from turning against me, I need to chase him down, which I did, sucked his wheel a little, then got on the front and drove us all the way back to the line, popped a wheelie, and was one tried, but happy guy with a finish time of 11:45:00.

Sat motionless for an undetermined amount of time, got a few beers, ate some food, got a great neck and shoulder massage from Debra and waited for my teammates Ronda and Bill to cross the line.

[michaelcole]

Nice.

[Smudger]

Sounds a lot better than Leadville but no matter how good the trails are 100 miles off road at altitude must hurt a lot. Well fone.

[michael todisco]

i love the single track, but there were times I was wishing for some fire roads or pavement... it does beat you up, but in a good way

[michaelcole]

I guess the VT50 has lost its macho status now that you've rocked two different western trail race centuries. Funny. It doesn't seem that long ago that I paced you in your first race.

[michael todisco]

@ Coley, I remember that race well, the original Glocester Grind course, you were phantom racing for Todd (or someone that didn't make it that day), so you dropped back and picked me up and paced me most of the way.

I knew from that first race I was going to go far in this sport (actually all the way to CO and OR for a total of 3 centuries so far ) - Think I have a few more 100 milers left in the tank.... Anybody want to join me for the next one?

[cbusick]

Wow, that's impressive Mike!
-Chris

[taudep]

Everything about it sounds FUN, except for the 11,3K of climbing.

Nice work