Racing on Generosity

If it wasn't for not posting for months, I probably wouldn't post on the race, but I've got nothing better...


Borrowed sub-25 pound carbon fiber full suspension race bike. Check.

Borrowed race lights turning night into day. Check

Someone willing (read stupid enough) to race for 12 hours. Check.

There's a lot that goes into racing a bike for 12 hours over night. The main thing is the bike (Duh), and the other thing is lights (Yup). When you can convince a friend to let him let you borrow his top breed race bike, and have other friends let you borrow their race lights the only thing left to do is pedal. And pedal and pedal and pedal.

Without doing more than tuning the suspension to my weight, and adjusting the seat height, I did nothing to the bike -- and after 12 hours, I've never felt better when getting off of a bike post race. Rad.

Intake
12 pre-filled bottles with energy supplement drink
8 GU shots
3 bananas
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and Cheese Sandwiches
Salty Nut rolls
Salty cashews
1 Starbucks Double shot
1 Packet of Instant Mashed Potatoes
(I wish I would have had some fried chicken.)

* Ends up I still burned under 10,000 calories from what an exercise counter says online. BS!

From a rolling start, the race began. Within a solid pack we twisted our way thru the beginning of the first lap. I did a pre-race lap, but I did it backwards so it didn't matter. Eventually I could tell the group would be fading and I passed everyone I could and ended up in the front with ____ and Matt Gershib. We steam rolled the rest of the lap and ended up over a minute ahead of the rest.
About 11 PM... Asleep w/ Salted Nut Roll
The three of us continued to cruise the tracks with me struggling to keep up on the descents. I had not rode off road since probably November? 6 plus laps in, darkness set in and lights came on. I lost MG and ___ through one lap transition and pushed it to catch back up. I found ____ climbing with light trouble and he told me to push on. I found MG on the next climb and we kicked it for quite a few laps. He brought out his portable speakers and we jammed to some rocking music while whipping in the darkness.

No lying. The riding was old before midnight. Most of trails were newly cut and rough, but the traffic was making it better. As dew settled, the trails became tacky and cornering was awesome. I began playing the 'don't use your brakes at all' game while going thru the upper plains single track.

At one point, MG bonked, and I took over the push. This ended up lasting for the rest of the race. Riding alone in the darkness. 12 or so laps of solitude with only light banter between others in passing. Battling frustration and fatigue and sickenss I pedaled. Man, what a bad idea.

Branched oak has some good climbing, and some fun descents. The descents didn't ever get old. Under the enlightenment of high-output LEDs and HIDs night riding was just as fast as the day riding except that I was really flipping tired.
The 3 AM foiled mashed potato shot
In the early morning, I had the highlight of warming water next to a small grill in my empty double-shot can before one lap for my mashed potatoes. The thought of warm food kept me rolling through the lap and I looked forward to the yummy goodness. - Upon finishing the lap I found that my can had been crushed and thrown away and my mashed potatoes had to be eaten cold. )I killed three people that happened to be standing there.) Oh well. Keep on.

I never spent more than a few minutes between laps, only sitting for brief periods of time before kickin' it again. I found this idea to be really stupid, but key to staying 'in it.' If I were to stop for two long, I wouldn't have kept going. I lived for the down hills, detested the climbs, and got dizzy through the high plains.

The temperature dropped below 40 that night, and the thermal variations within the course were amazing. I am pretty sure at least one tree was haunted because it was 20 degrees colder than it's surrounding areas. I couldn't feel my feet for hours and had to borrow knickers.

I almost hit an opossum on lap and there was a field mouse on a turn on one climb that I watched get flatter and flatter as the night went on. One lap, I found another mouse eating the dead one. I thought if he was there eating his brother on the next lap, I would crush him as well. I know I'd be happy getting killed by a Top Fuel.

As the moon rose over the lake, I knew time was beginning to expire. At one point between laps I asked, "Now without telling me the actual time, can you tell me if it would be worth counting down laps yet?"

Two people immediately told me what time it was. Thanks.

I spent the rest of the time figuring how many laps I had left and knew I would fit in one more lap before the 0530 cut-off. My helmet light had gone out and I was working on changing it when MG rolled in. I panicked and thought he'd try to chase me down and I took off. I probably pulled out one of my fastest laps only to find him sleeping in his car when I finished!
Post Finish Shot
I find it funny that in solo enduro races, there is no glamour and no podium girls. Everyone is way too damned tired and podium girls need their beauty sleep.

Almost 36 hours since waking on Saturday, I still have not really been able to sleep and I walk around in a daze. It was good times -- now that it's over.

A special thanks and a small sprinkle of hate goes out to Chris (for the bike), Roxy & Ryan EB and Rafal for the equipment. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help and I kinda despise you for your help. Just kidding. Kinda. One more shout out to Chris!

Recovering at Grandpa's.

Oh, so it ended up being 21 laps which was about 130 miles of dirt. First place solo, first place over-all. I think the highest amount of laps a team did was 19. What the heck is wrong with me!