It was a dusty day on the trail but the weather was perfect for racing. 5:30 am start, cool temps, about 400 riders at the line for a mass start. A 9 mile roll out on pavement before the single track, gave me plenty of time to move up to front group of about 75. Wanted to get position behind good riders and not have to un-clip in technical sections and for the 36 switchbacks that came up at mile 18.
My projected splits for the first 3 aid stations were a few minutes faster, giving me plenty of to get this race done in under 11 hours, that was my goal.
This year the race organizers put the hardest section (over 5000 ft of climbing in 18 miles) later in the race then last year. Racing sensibly was key for having enough reserves to get it done. After holding a good tempo for the first 30 miles, it was time to start putting some kick into the pedals. I figure to make up some time before the big climb into Happy Valley and since there was a lot technical downhill, I could sit back and carve with out expending too much energy. However it's at this point I realize when I'm slamming the bike hard off jumps and turns the front suspension is barely working. Feels like my bike is just one solid piece of metal from the handle bar to the front tire. 40 miles down and 60 to go and no front suspension, just fabulous.
I fuel big 10 miles before the climb to have the nutrition part working for me, not against me. There was no crew allowed at Skyliner (#4) and Dutchman (#5) only neutral support, this is the section before and after the 5000 ft of climbing. I wouldn't see my crew again (Debra and Ronda) until mile 80. So at aid stations #4 and #5 I take mostly water, pickles and oranges but I never checked my time splits.
The climb was hard and the first section is on open gravel road and it's getting pretty warm and I'm getting a little nauseous and the elevation is higher here as well. I struggle the most during these 18 miles. Plus there was a lot of snow along the trail after Happy Valley that required dismounting about 10-12 times during the climb. Another reason why this was the make/break part of the race and where I would give back most of the time I made up earlier.
I make it thru, a little used and abused, but got back on my game and refueled at Dutchman - Aid station #5, knowing more downhill and easier trails were ahead, plus Debra and Ronda would be there with the stuff I needed to finish the race. So I roll into Swampy (last aid station) and there is no crew. I ask the officials for a time check and I'm 1 hour ahead of my projected split! Holy Crap, I couldn't believe it.... I call Debra and tell her I'm in so Ronda puts the fuzz buster on and floors back to me. I gave up about 15 minutes, but I'm still on target to finish in under 11 hours. So they arrive and I change into a new fresh jersey, dry socks (snow up on Dutchman soaked my feet). Fuel up with some salted boiled potatoes, pringles, and an alka-seltzer in my water bottle to settle my stomach, and hit the trail hard.
Some climbing left to do but some really fun stuff too on trails called Tiddlywinks and Storm King. These trails are a hoot and worth a trip to Bend even if you never race the course - flowy, downhill, jumps and bumps, very fast and very dangerous is you over cook a turn or misjudge an jump. I'm pretty used up and tired at this point so caution is better then mach speed, so I'm a little more conservative thru this section with only 15 miles to go, I don't want to screw it up. Clean this section without issues and hit the road for a 9 mile drag race into town. I can't catch who ever was in front of me and desperately need a pace line to finish strong. Then from behind, 3 strong riders pace lining and I jump on and grab last wheel and we hammer it back to the finish line. Race done with great results:
Placed overall 146 out of 348, Placed 20th in the master 50+ (even though I'm 60+) out of 50. I was the fastest 60+ in the entire race - I should have got prize or something for that
Overall results link:
http://highcascades100.com/files/2012/0 ... esults.pdf
Category results link:
http://highcascades100.com/files/2012/0 ... esults.pdf
If you love MTB and single track and lots of it, come to Bend and ride or race. Not to be missed.
Cheers!
