HC 100 - 2nd Place!

[michael todisco]

HC 100 - race report

The High Cascades 100 is one of the best courses out there, I strongly suggest we put a team together for next year, you won't regret the great single track and climbing challenges. Truly an epic experience, plus the town of Bend is worth the air fare alone. Best coffee, beer, dining and outdoor activities, all in one place.

This year I went out harder from the gun then previous years, determine to make the podium. I know there was 1 guy I had to beat, according to his Strava workouts, he was the mark. There were 3 or 4 other contenders, but based on their past races and work outs, the Super Masters category came down to either 1st or 2nd for me.

The Super Masters category (60+) was new for this year, even though I won it unofficially last year, this year was for realz.

My pre-race projections for split times were off right from beginning, I arrived at the first check point (20 miles) 1 hour earlier! I had such a fast start, that my crew missed me there.

I was holding that pace right up until a few miles before the 60 mile check point. Something was starting to happen, either my fueling was off or altitude was getting to me. I think mostly it was my fueling. Going out hard for the first 50 miles took its toll and I was getting dizzy and disorientated. Seeing my crew at 60 miles gave me a much needed emotional boost. I took off thinking I was okay and I would get my groove back and would settled down on the long drop into Lava Lake. This is very technical gradual decent with lots of sharp pointy lava rock formations, easy to rip a sidewall right open. Care must be taken to carve and corner and hold speed. That went fairly well, but I was still fatigued and wasn’t recovering as expected. Is this very open and hot area, due to the dark lava rock, which also wasn't helping my condition.

The Lava Lake check point was the last part of the decent, then the 5 mile insane climb out. My ass was getting kicked pretty bad and the tank was empty, I was struggling and giving back that time I made from the start. I thought I was never going to get out of there.

Once I hit the top then its 5 miles down to the last check point at Edison. This is crazy fast and technical decent and the those damn lava rocks where always getting in my way. The fatigue in my hands and arms was wearing me down.

I roll into the 75 mile check at Edison and my crew can tell something is wrong and my 1 hour advantage is now down to 20 minutes. Damn it, I just lost 40 minutes! They’re pretty sure the 1st Super Master is ahead of me but can’t verify how much.

Bill is cleaning and lubing my bike, Debra gets out a cool fresh jersey to put on. Ronda starts force feeding me and sponging me down with cold towels, she’s jamming fuel in my mouth (under protest) but she’s an ultra-runner and sees the state I’m in, so I agree to her commands. It was good thing I did.

Well, the next 25 miles is a whole new me, climbing well, fatigue gone, I’m back, but not fast enough to catch the leader.

After the fun drop through Tiddlywinks and Storm King, I’m out on the road for the 7 mile drag race back into town. I lock out the fork and rear shock and start hammering as fast as I could. A big rider goes around me when we turn the corner onto Century Drive. There is about 6 miles to go and I need a wheel. I push hard to catch his draft and I’m on. He’s going great guns and we pick up another rider and she jumps on and we’re pacing lining at mach speed, getting those 6 miles done in short order.

I hit the line at 11:09:18, enough for 2nd Place – first podium ever in an ultra-event, feeling happy.

[Bradford]

Congrats Mike - this sounds very intense - badass!

[pace21]

Disco I always enjoy reading reports of your escapades but I never know whether to feel joy or sympathy for you. Either way, well done!

[NCgaron]

Really want to go to this race. I am putting it on the bucket list for sure..

[JeremyC]

Congrats Mike. So basically a few gels and 11 hours later it's over. No problem.

@Nolan - you should probably try to work up to 11 hours in a single week before doing this.

[Smudger]

Truly EPIC. Well done Mike

[argus]

Mike- -Great result and great report. The race sounds awesome, if your crew took any pictures, please post them.

[michael todisco]

How do I post pics to this web board? I have a podium shot and a few in race photos as well.

[Len_E]

Hell of a job Michael. Great report. Gotta get my knobbies going.

[michael todisco]

Anytime you want some company Len, just call..

BTW - My Epic Pro World Cup carbon MTB bike (1x11) will be up for sale at the end of the season. I have a set of race wheels as well that can be packaged.